Boise State University Sexual Assault Response Communication Protocol
- Sexual Assault on College Campuses
- Commitment to Collaborative Support Services
- Communication on a Need to
Know Basis
- Third Party Reporting
- Media Response
- Summary
- Appendix A: Departmental Services, Expectations, and Protocols for Response
- Appendix B: Staff Response to Sexual
Assault: A Guide to Residence Life
SEXUAL ASSAULT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
According to a Department of Justice Community Policing Report,
rape is the most common violent crime on college campuses today.
"'Women ages 16 to 24 experience rape at rates four times
higher than the assault rate of all women,' making the college
(and high school) years the most vulnerable for women. It is estimated
25 percent of college women have been victims of rape or attempted
rape since the age of 14." Many times this crime is referred
to as an "invisible" or "voiceless" crime
due to the high numbers of cases that go unreported. According
to this report, "fewer than 5 percent of college women who
are victims of rape or attempted rape report it to police. However
about 2/3 of them tell someone…" It is also noted that
college women are most vulnerable to rape and sexual assault within
the first few weeks of the freshman and sophomore years, with
the first few days of the freshman year the riskiest.
In efforts to create effective and coordinated response services for victims of rape and sexual assault, a Sexual Assault Response Network was developed in fall 2003. The purpose of the network is as follows:
- to function as a multidisciplinary network to provide caring and effective response to victims of sexual assaults;
- to develop and implement effective communication within and across agencies while protecting confidentiality of involved students;
- to develop written guidelines describing policies and procedures for sexual assault response within and between agencies;
- to utilize internal and external input and feedback to assess sexual assault response, identify needs, and work collaboratively to enhance our resources and services
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COMMITMENT TO COLLABORATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Sexual assault cases are complex and sensitive.
Effective response requires a collaborative effort from a number
of team members with interdependent roles and responsibilities
in the context of a "victim-centered" approach, which
places the needs, choices, and rights of a victim to the forefront.
In responding to these incidents, team members will demonstrate
compassion and concern for the victim, respect the rights and
choices of the victim, and understand the obligations of university
employees.
No matter where the student enters the system, an advocate will
be called and notified of the situation to request assistance
or to consult about the situation.
There are a variety of departments and agencies that work together
to provide an approach that is centered on victim needs and choices.
When working together within a small community such as Boise State,
it is essential for each department to build and establish cooperative
working relationships in efforts to coordinate the best possible
services for victims.
For this reason the Sexual Assault Response Network will continue
to meet on a consistent basis. These meetings will serve as process
improvement meetings to increase inter-departmental communication
and response to victims. Membership of the team will minimally
consist of a representative from each of the following departments
that are typically seen in roles as first responders: Director
of University Security, contracted police services, University
Housing, Women's Center, Student Conduct, and Health, Wellness
and Counseling Services. The Vice President for Student Affairs
will be invited to attend on an annual basis or as needed.
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COMMUNICATION ON A NEED TO KNOW BASIS
Information about sexual assault cases will be shared between department heads on a need to know basis in efforts to meet federal reporting guidelines and to meet campus safety standards. All information including names will be shared with the informed consent of the victim. All communication is highly confidential and will be handled discreetly with the security and safety of the victim in mind.
The following offices are defined as those with a distinct interest in knowing about a crime on campus.
Sexual Assault Response Advocates/Women's Center Coordinator
A sexual assault response advocate (426-4259) will be contacted
to consult with callers on the phone or meet directly with a victim
to assist with the coordination of services. NO MATTER WHERE
THE STUDENT ENTERS THE SYSTEM, AN ADVOCATE WILL BE CALLED AND
NOTIFIED OF THE SITUATION TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE OR TO CONSULT
ABOUT THE SITUATION. The student may choose not to meet with
an advocate; in that sense, then, the advocate is serving as a
consultant to the responder to assist him or her with processing
information and identifying all possible resources to the victim.
It is NOT necessary to communicate a victim's name in the cases
of consultation, only when the victim chooses to meet with or
involve the advocate.
University Security and Contracted Police Services
The Director of University Security will be contacted at 426-1453
to complete a "third party report," which is required
by the Cleary Act instituted originally in 1990; the Act requires
all universities to publish accurate crime statistics for the
public. Police will be contacted to report a crime. If the victim
wants to report the crime to police, assist her or him in calling
911 in an emergency or 426-1453 in a non-emergency.
Vice President for Student Affairs
The Vice President for Student Affairs shall be notified in a
timely manner of all assaults perpetrated against or by Boise
State students. Exceptions may exist with counseling and clinical
services staff (see pages 8,9).
Director of Student Housing
The Director of Housing will be contacted when an apartment or
residence hall student is involved in a sexual assault or an assault
occurs in University Housing. In consultation with the victim,
a name will be shared only if the victim chooses and/or if the
victim requests services and support from Housing staff.
In the case where an alleged perpetrator is known and resides in the hall, it is essential to consult with the victim about his or her safety. The victim may choose to move to a safer location or may request that the alleged perpetrator be moved if he or she resides in the same living unit. Consult with the director about the seriousness of the allegations to determine if emergency sanctioning is warranted. This will be done in consultation with the Student Conduct Office, University Security who will communicate with contracted police services, and the VP for Student Affairs. Any concerns about community safety when an alleged perpetrator resides in the hall, should be discussed with the victim first if at all possible. It is essential to take into consideration the choices of the victim when taking any actions against alleged perpetrators, as the victim may ultimately be affected by any communication and decisions that are made during the response process.
If there is a need for emergency housing of a student who is not a resident on the campus, the Director of Housing or the Assistant Director of Residence Life will be contacted to inquire about the possibility of making accommodations for the student.
Student Conduct Officer
The Student Conduct Officer will be contacted if the victim was
allegedly assaulted by another student and wishes to file a complaint
through the campus judicial system. Depending upon the allegation
and the living arrangements of the accused, it is possible that
an emergency sanction may be issued. In this case, the conduct
officer will consult with the VP for Student Affairs and any other
appropriate department. In the case where a student reports the
crime to police and would also like to file a student conduct
complaint, every effort will be made to communicate and coordinate
university and criminal investigations. There may be times that
the university can move more quickly with its actions. This may
create conflicts between university actions and a criminal investigation.
Many times this cannot be helped, but every effort will be made
to keep communication open between agencies and to actively consult.
Health, Wellness, and Counseling Services
A member of the counseling services staff will be contacted (during
business hours or after hours) if there is an incident where the
student requests a licensed counselor (suicidal intimations, for
example). Clinical and counseling services can be accessed after
the incident to connect the student to long-term counseling or
medical services.
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THIRD PARTY REPORTING
Boise State University acknowledges the importance of officially reporting all crimes and will provide assistance with reporting. The university also knows that reporting a crime is different from pressing charges. As provided under federal law, the university requires all Boise State University administrators, officials, employees, and faculty to report any and all crimes that students may report to them. When the student reports a crime in confidence it may be reported anonymously to campus law enforcement. Professional and religious counselors are exempt from these reporting requirements. However, the university encourages anonymous reporting when at the discretion of the counselor, he or she feels it is appropriate. The university stresses the importance of supporting victims in whatever decision they make with regard to pressing charges. Services are available to help victims whether or not they choose to press charges.
A third party report is a report made by a responder working with a victim to inform University Security that a sexual assault has been reported. If the victim does not want to take any formal action with the criminal or judicial process, inform the victim that you will be required to provide a third party report to the police. Neither names nor specific information about location are required, merely whether or not it occurred on campus, the approximate date, and the general details related by the victim about the attack.
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MEDIA RESPONSE
It is essential to respect the confidentiality of victims of sexual assault. The Office of University Relations will make all official comments about any serious incidents on campus and reporters should be referred to the Director of Marketing and Communications, for comment. Any responder contacted by the media will also inform the Vice President for Student Affairs.
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SUMMARY
It is recognized that a student may enter the process of reporting or search for services at different stages: she or he may be at the health center receiving a medical exam and tell the practitioner of the sexual assault; she or he may call the crisis hotline; he or she may go to an RA. Therefore it is essential that each cooperating agency work together to bring all available resources to the forefront for the student while respecting his or her choices for action and confidentiality. Appendix A outlines the internal protocols and procedures that will be utilized by each campus department.
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APPENDIX A
Departmental Services, Expectations, and Protocols for Response
Sexual Assault Response Advocates/Women's Center Coordinator
The Sexual Assault Response Advocate (SARA) will help with initial
crisis intervention and crisis counseling. In the "victim-centered"
model, an advocate's role is to provide support to the victim
and to assist him or her in identifying concerns and to provide
options available to her or him in a caring and empathetic way.
The advocate will respect a victim's choice and assist in initiating
any processes she or he chooses. One of the assets of an advocate
is that he or she is readily available to meet with students,
can de-escalate situations and can assist with coordination of
services that the victim may want. Upon building a relationship
with the student, the advocate may remain with the student throughout
the rest of the processes, serving as a consistent and steady
resource.
Advocates will inform victims of their rights and options (police reporting, medical care for physical injuries, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, HIV, as well as long-term counseling, student conduct, etc.,) and support them in any choices they make involving the incident. If the victim chooses to initiate a police report, the advocate will help call the police and transition the victim into the interview that the detective and Victim-Witness Coordinator (VWC) will conduct. The advocate, VWC, and detectives will work as a team to provide the best possible response to victims. The VWC will serve as a major contact for the student in the criminal process. The campus advocate will provide support on campus and connect the victim to appropriate campus resources, which may include counseling services, student conduct, or communication with faculty. The advocate will provide follow up after the incident and continue to serve as a support and resource to the student. The advocate may also serve as an advisor to the student in the student conduct process if she or he chooses to file a complaint against another student for violations of the student conduct codes.
If a victim does not want to report the crime to police, the advocate will contact University Security to make a third party report.
Student Housing
The residence halls are staffed by full-time, professional hall
directors who supervise a student staff of resident advisors trained
to assist students with resources and referrals. Staff members
receive training on how to supportively assist victims of sexual
assault and will help connect students with vital support services.
All communication with resident advisors regarding such matters
is confidential. However, in such matters, resident advisors are
required to inform their hall director to ensure that appropriate
action is taken regarding the student's concerns. The Resident
Directors will consult with a sexual assault advocate or involve
an advocate with the consent of the student to ensure that all
resources have been provided to the student. RD's will follow
the chain of communication and inform their supervisors immediately
of any recent assaults.
See Appendix B for a Staff Response to Sexual Assault: A Guide for Residence Life.
University Security and Contracted Police Services
When a crime is reported to the police, officers will follow outlined
police procedures and policies. Typically, a detective and Victim
Witness Coordinator (VWC) will respond to the scene or they will
ask to meet the victim at the hospital depending on the timing
of the attack. If the assault occurred within the past 72 hours,
there is greater likelihood of gathering forensic evidence, thus
meeting at the hospital may be requested. A detective accompanied
by a VWC will conduct an interview of the victim with the sexual
assault nurse examiner at the hospital. After the forensic collection
is complete, the victim will meet with the VWC and campus advocate
(if involved) to discuss any housing needs or any other special
needs in the short run. In the case of any report of an assault
against a Boise State student, the Sergeant will notify the Director
of University Security. The Director of University Security will
contact the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Coordinator
of the Women's Center, who supervises the Sexual Assault Advocate
Team.
In compliance with federal Student-Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, the Department of University Security will notify the campus community of any sex offenses reported to them without using the names of the victim. These statistics appear in the annual crime report available through University Security or on their web site (www.boisestate.edu/parking/. Reporting the assault to University Security may help the university investigator identify the offender and prevent victimization of other people. University Security will provide confidentiality to the parties involved. However, the Director of University Security is required to inform the Vice President for Student Affairs of the incident
Student Conduct Program
The Student Code of Conduct exists to assist in the effort of
providing the best possible learning and living environment for
all students. The enforcement of campus rules is critical to the
existence of such an environment for all members of the academic
community. The Student Conduct Program is a resource for students,
faculty and staff to utilize in holding students of Boise State
University accountable for misbehavior without the requirement
of filing legal charges.
If a student wishes to file a complaint, the Student Conduct Officer will assess the immediate needs of the student and make appropriate referrals (Sexual Assault Response Advocate Program, University Security, Women's Center, Health, Wellness, and Counseling Services, etc.) The Conduct Officer will also consult with the Vice President for Student Affairs to determine if "emergency sanctions" should be implemented in the event the alleged perpetrator remains in close proximity of the victim; for example if the student is living in the same on-campus living unit, the Conduct Officer will consult with the Director of Housing and University Security and the Vice President for Student Affairs about living situations until the incident is resolved.
The Student Conduct Officer will help identify options the student has in regard to filing charges: the student may file charges herself or himself; the student can ask another student or staff member to file on her or his behalf; the student can request that no charges be filed (however, the conduct officer would evaluate this request against the incident and the likelihood that it could/would happen again); or when necessary, the university may file charges for the protection of other students.
If charges are filed, the conduct officer will explain the hearing process of filing a complaint, and help to identify appropriate advocates that could assist the victim throughout the entire hearing process. After a complaint has been filed, the Conduct Officer will notify the accused about the complaint. A hearing will be arranged in a timely fashion and the victim will be notified of the outcome of the hearing and sanctions that are imposed that are relevant to the victim.
If the victim does not want to file a complaint with the police, the Student Conduct Officer will inform the victim that a "third party" report must be completed. The Student Conduct Officer will also consult with an advocate to ensure that all resources and services have been discussed. A name will not be shared with the advocate unless the victim chooses.
Counseling Services
In regards to clients divulging a sexual assault, Counseling Services'
actions will be based first and foremost within the limits of
confidentiality and client empowerment. Counseling Services staff
is exempt from Boise State University crime reporting requirements.
Upon disclosure of an incident of sexual assault that occurred
on campus or was perpetrated by a BSU student, Counseling Services
staff will use their clinical judgment in determining an appropriate
time to inquire if the student would like to report the incident.
It is important to inform the individual of his or her options,
the importance of timely action (in some cases), and the related
implications, particularly as it pertains to their retention of
control over the situation. If the client wishes to report the
incident, Counseling Services staff will obtain the necessary
releases of information and assist the client in taking steps
in reporting to the necessary agencies (i.e., Police, Housing,
Student Affairs, Women's Center). If the client does not wish
to have the incident reported, Counseling Services will explain
the importance of incident reporting for public safety as well
as the opportunity to do it anonymously. If the client wishes
to report it anonymously Counseling Services staff should assist
the client in doing so while retaining full anonymity or report
the incident anonymously on behalf of the student. The client
should also be informed of campus and community support services
(i.e., Sexual Assault Advocacy Program, the Women's Center, Boise
Women's and Children's Alliance, hospitals, etc.) that can advocate
and assist her or him with the various complexities related to
sexual assault (i.e., legal, health, safety, etc.).
Health and Wellness Clinical Services
If a victim of sexual assault seeks medical services at Health and
Wellness Clinical Department, she or he will be triaged and taken
to a room for evaluation. An escort will be provided if the student
desires. If the student contacts the health center by telephone,
they will be referred directly to the emergency department of choice.
(St. Alphonsus: 367-3221, St. Luke's Boise: 381-2235).
When the victim is on the premises, any acute medical problem will be stabilized, and the student will then be referred to a local emergency department for evidence collection and a post-assault forensic exam. The appropriate emergency department will be contacted prior to transfer of the student (St. Alphonsus: 367-3221. St. Luke's Boise: 381-2235). Health center staff will help coordinate transportation to the appropriate emergency department. Proper transportation may include EMS, private vehicle with an escort, or campus security resources.
If a student refuses to go to the emergency department, they can be examined and treated at the health center. Currently, health services staff is not trained in evidence collection. Victims will be strongly urged to seek that evaluation at the local emergency department. A current guideline for the evaluation and treatment of the female sexual assault victim can be viewed at (http://www.aafp.org/afp/980915ap/petter.html).
A student may elect to return to the health center for diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, to include appropriate blood workup. Emergency contraception is also available for female victims.
Health care providers, who are made aware of any criminal act, to include sexual assault, are required by law to report it to the appropriate criminal investigative agency.
Health care providers will also provide information to the victim about the Sexual Assault Response Advocate Program in case they would need further assistance with police reporting, counseling, student conduct, Housing, and any other services.
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APPENDIX B
Staff Response to Sexual Assault: A Guide for Residence Life
The Department of Residence Life takes seriously the safety and
security of its residents. It is essential that staff members understand
their roles and responsibilities in responding to serious situations
like sexual assaults. Unfortunately, incidents of dating violence
and sexual assault will probably occur in housing units. In responding
to these incidents, staff is expected to demonstrate compassion
and concern for the victim, respect for the rights of the accused
and an understanding of our obligations as employees. With this
in mind, the following behaviors are expected:
- Report all assaults to your supervisor. Since the act is criminal, police will be notified. The victim has the choice of talking to police, counselors, student conduct, etc.
- Do not presume the accused is "guilty." This will be determined by judicial systems if the report is filed.
- Respect the privacy of the victim and the accused; share information only with your supervisor.
- If contacted by the media, do not comment. Refer them to the director of the department and notify your supervisor.
- Cooperate fully with agencies that may be involved with the incident.
-
Follow the attached checklist. The nature
of sexual assaults can be complex and can be complicated; therefore
we have established guidelines and boundaries to support staff
in their work with victims of sexual assault.
[click here to download checklist]
- If you are uncertain about what to do, or if you need to process the situation, talk to your supervisor.
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