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CAMPUS RESPONSE TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Campus representatives should seek to assist victims/survivors in regaining control of their lives. To the extent possible, sexual violence victims/survivors should be encouraged to make their own decisions and choices following a sexual assault.
If an act of sexual violence is witnessed, the Police Department is to be called for immediate response. If a UCSF employee reports an incident of sexual violence, the employee should be advised to speak to his/her supervisor; a student should be directed to the Dean of Students. Both also should be directed to the UC Police Department or a representative of the Center for Gender Equity's Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program for reporting or other options as appropriate.
The following options are available:
- The victim/survivor may report the assault to the UCSF Campus Police Department. If the victim/survivor is considering reporting the incident to the police either immediately or at a future date, she/he should know that a police report and medical evaluation necessitate the collection of evidence, which may be used later in a filed report or claim. This evidence must be collected within seventy-two (72) hours after the assault. Although a report may be made after that time period, the evidence important for DNA identification of an assailant will be invalidated.
- The victim/survivor may report the assault to the Center for Gender Equity's Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program (link to Resource Program section or CGE site), located at 100 Medical Center Way, Ground Level, telephone number (415) 476-5223.
- The victim/survivor may choose to not make a report at this time.
It is not the function of any campus representative to urge a particular course of action upon the victim/survivor.
Campus Representative Response
Listed below are the steps that a supervisor or manager shall take if a UCSF student, staff member, faculty member, or visitor discloses that she/he was raped or sexually assaulted, on or off campus, recently or in the past. The campus representative's first concern shall be for the medical or psychological condition of the person. If the individual is in a crisis warranting immediate intervention, the campus representative must follow departmental emergency procedures and/or call the Campus Police Department (415/476-6911 or 415/476-1414). The campus representative also should provide a safe and comfortable place for the victim/survivor in which to discuss the options available and reach a decision.
Step 1: Determine whether the victim/survivor wishes to report the incident to the Campus Police Department.
The role of law enforcement is to fully investigate and document all reports of sexual violence. The victim's/survivor's request for anonymity and confidentiality are to be honored to the extent permitted by law and Campus Policy. (See Confidentiality) (Link to Confidentiality section). The Campus Police Department will activate the Violence Response Team, including a representative of the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program, to assist the victim/survivor.
Step 2: Communicate to the victim/survivor the availability of the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program and other campus counseling services.
The Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program coordinator has expertise in working with sexual violence victims/survivors and can assist in coordinating appropriate on- and off-campus resources and services. The coordinator can discuss options and alternatives, help identify the most appropriate resources, and answer any questions that may rise.
If the victim/survivor is interested in obtaining assistance from the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program, the campus representative shall take one of the following steps:
- Connect the victim/survivor with the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program.
- Obtain the victim's/survivor's telephone number and give it to the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program coordinator, who will contact the victim/survivor.
- Provide the victim/survivor with the telephone number (415/476-5223) of the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program.
The victim/survivor also may be referred to other campus resources, listed below, for confidentially discussing options. Licensed-trained counselors are available at each location and may coordinate referrals to additional health resources.
- The Student Health Service (MU-H005, 415/476-1281) provides confidential counseling services for registered students.
- The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (Laurel Heights 293, 415/476-8279) serves the campus community with confidential individual assessment, crisis intervention, and short-term counseling.
Step 3: Communicate to the victim/survivor the importance of medical attention and discuss whether immediate assistance is needed.
- Medical attention is vital for detecting and treating a range of medical concerns, including sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and injuries.
- It is important for the victim/survivor to know that there is a seventy-two (72) hour period of time in which important forensic evidence (e.g., sperm and/or skin fragments for DNA identification of an assailant) can be collected and later used in judicial procedures. If the victim/survivor wishes to have evidence collected, medical treatment and collection of forensic evidence must be expedited. See "Medical Treatment and Collection of Forensic Evidence."
- For initial medical assistance following a sexual assault, individuals are referred to the San Francisco Rape Treatment Center. During normal business hours, the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program may coordinate transportation to the center and other support as needed by the victim/survivor.
- The Campus Police Department will offer to provide transportation to the Rape Treatment Center.
Step 4: Communicate to the victim/survivor the importance of psychological support and discuss with her/him whether immediate assistance is needed.
The campus has resources and referrals to assist with psychological needs that arise in the initial crisis of assault as well as in the aftermath and longer-term recovery. The Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program Coordinator may serve as a liaison to any of these services. The victim/survivor may be directed to:
- The Student Health Service or to the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program; and
- The San Francisco Rape Treatment Center (415/821-3222) at San Francisco General Hospital.
Step 5: Report to the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program within two (2) business days.
- The campus representative who is first told about the incident of sexual violence is to contact the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program directly within two (2) business days to satisfy campus mandatory reporting requirements. This requirement is for statistical purposes only; no information that identifies the victim/survivor need be given.
Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program Response
The Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program coordinator shall provide any UCSF student, staff member, faculty member, or other member of the Campus community who contacts the program directly with the services listed below:
- The Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program coordinator shall discuss with the victim/survivor the parameters of the information that may need to be reported, such as date, time, and place of the assault, and, in the interests of campus safety, the circumstances surrounding the incident. The coordinator will make the mandatory, annual report to the Campus Police Department.
- Discuss the needs of the victim/survivor and assess whether she/he should be referred to the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, the Student Health Service, a community agency, or a counselor.
- Provide the victim/survivor with a list of resources, including but not limited to counseling services (both community and private), books, videotapes, and UCSF programs; and
- Assist the victim/survivor with contacting specific individuals or departments who can provide additional services, if requested (Campus Police Department, academic departments, Housing Office, Student Health Service, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, etc.).
UCSF does not warrant the effectiveness and methodology of any non-UCSF resource and or referral provided to the victim/survivor. The use of any resources and referrals is at the discretion of the victim/survivor.
If a caller is concerned about the confidentiality of the call, the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program shall inform her/him of the following:
- She/he will remain anonymous and confidentiality will be respected within the guidelines listed in the Confidentiality section and as mandated by federal reporting laws.
- Information regarding the caller's identity and case information will be kept on file in the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program office and will be available only to the Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program coordinator and the Center for Gender Equity director. Annual reports of occurrences will be made to the Campus Police Department.
- No information that the victim/survivor provides will be released to friends, family, or other agencies without written permission from the victim/survivor unless required by law or court order.
Campus Police Department Response
The Campus Police Department fully investigates and documents all reports of sexual violence. A victim/survivor should never be discouraged from making a report; it is sufficient that a victim/survivor alleges a sexual assault. The investigating officer shall convene the Campus Violence Response Team as appropriate.
Pursuant to Penal Code Section 293, the investigating officer shall inform the victim/survivor of a sex offense that her/his name and address will become matters of public record unless otherwise requested. The investigating officer shall make a notation that the victim/survivor was properly informed and shall include a statement "in quotes" of the victim's/survivor's decision, i.e., the victim/survivor does or does not want her/his name or address disclosed.
The officer shall describe the function of the UCSF Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program and allow the victim/survivor to decide whether she/he wants the assistance of an advocate from the program through the process of medical examination, evidence collection, and filing a police report.
If the assault occurred within seventy-two (72) hours, the victim/survivor will be transported to the Rape Treatment Center at San Francisco General Hospital as soon as possible.
The victim/survivor shall be advised of the steps that may be encountered in the preliminary investigation, including in-depth interviews and follow-up investigations by detectives.
Additional Campus Support
Campus Housing Support Services (415/476-2231): Incidents of sexual violence occurring in or involving members of the campus residential community shall be reported to the Campus Housing Office's resident relations manager. At the discretion of the director of Campus Housing, the victim/survivor and the accused may be provided alternative housing assignments. Depending upon the outcome of a formal campus hearing , the housing agreement of the alleged perpetrator may be terminated. Outcomes of the formal campus hearing process will supersede any previous arrangements made by Campus Housing. The Campus Housing staff also is available to assist victims/survivors who live off campus in finding alternative off-campus housing arrangements.
Academic/Workplace Accommodation: It may be necessary to make changes in the victim's/survivor's workplace or academic schedule. Thoughtful facilitation and accommodation are encouraged. Students should see the academic or program dean in their school. Employees should see their supervisor or director. The Sexual and Relationship Violence Resource Program coordinator may serve as a liaison to any of these offices.
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© 2008 Center for Gender Equity
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