Reporting Sexual Assault & Victims' Rights

Reporting Sexual Assault:

If the assault has just taken place in order to preserve evidence:

         a)    Go to a safe place.
         b)    Do not shower or bathe
         c)    Do not urinate, if possible.
         d)    Do not eat, drink, smoke or brush your teeth if oral contact took place.
         e)    Do not destroy or wash the clothes you were wearing. If you change, place your clothes in a paper bag

Additionally, Beyond 72 Hours:

          f)    Seek medical treatment immediately (preferably within 72 hours).
         g)    Following the above suggestions will ensure the preservation of evidence. Victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact campus security, local law enforcement or Student Services immediately following an incident. A report may be filed with campus security and/or local law enforcement. The filing of a report does not obligate the victim to pursue charges, but does make filing of charges easier at a later date.
         h)    Contact Campus Security (x6482), local law enforcement,  the Dean of Student Services, Laurie Neff (x6271), Whistler (x6200 or x6280), or Counseling Services (x6647)
          i)    The victim may choose either a formal community rights and standards process or an informal grievance process. In either case, the identity of the individuals involved will remain confidential. However, the University retains the right to take formal action in situations where there is a clear and present danger to the general community. For both the informal grievance process and the formal community rights and standards process visit the website http://www.denison.edu/academics/support/grievance.html. Denison University will assist in pursuing option(s) elected by the victim. The College and the courts are independent systems; charges may be filed in either or both systems.
          j)    If an assault victim does not wish to pursue action with the College or the judicial system, the victim may make an anonymous report (x8418). With the victim’s permission, the College can file a report on the details of the incident without revealing the victim’s identity. This type of anonymous report helps to ensure the future safety of the victim and others. With such information, the College can keep accurate records about the number of incidents involving students, determine where there is a pattern of assaults with regard to a particular location, method, or assailant, and alert the campus community to potential danger.
         k)    A third party may make a report as well by calling Campus Security (x6482)

  1. To have all incidents and medical records kept confidential.
  2. To be treated without prejudice based upon race, class, lifestyle, sex, sexual orientation, age, occupation, or religious beliefs.
  3. To receive private and confidential examination/treatment for personal injuries, sexually transmittable disease, and pregnancy
  4. To be considered as credible as a person reporting any other crime.
  5. To be made aware of the options available through the university community rights and standards process and the criminal justice system.
  6. To chose to make a formal report or not.
  7. To change your mind at any time.
  8. To withdraw from the process at any time
  9. To receive emotional and psychological support and advocacy.
  10. To prosecute or not to prosecute.
  11. To receive current information on community and campus resources.
  12. To answer only those questions relevant to the crime.
  13. To freedom from harassment.
  14. To feasible class schedule adjustments (without academic or financial penalty) as necessary to minimize the potential for contact with the alleged perpetrator or those associated with the alleged perpetrator.
  15. To request assistance from Residential Life for a long term or short term housing change.