Reference _____________ Date____________

Instructions: The staff person working with the student reporting an assault should initial each item in the protocol he or she completed. Please refer to full protocol discussion for additional information about each step. When this form is completed file one copy in the student’s RDVIC record and forward the original to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator with a copy of the Incident Survey Form. For further explanation see the document that follows.

____1. All contacts with the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC) are confidential, except for the Incident Survey Form RDVIC will immediately file with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

____2. Encourage the student to talk to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (293-1377) for help in understanding, evaluating, and choosing among the services available.

____3. Offer student counseling, support and crisis intervention services. All services are voluntary and appointments can be made by phone at 292-5100, 24 hours per day. Students will receive services free of charge.

____4. Student Health Service is available to student’s weekdays during regular business hours. Any other times a student needing medical attention should go to the Emergency Room at Ruby Memorial Hospital. There a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner will perform the examination.

____5. If the alleged assault is to have occurred on campus, inform the student that you are obligated to contact the Department of Public Safety (293-3136). If the alleged assault occurred off campus, encourage the student to contact the Morgantown Police Department (284-7444).

____6. It is important that the student understand that WVU has a hearing process for dealing with incidents of sexual misconduct. Details of this process can be discussed with the Student Life Staff (293-5611). Student Life may initiate the disciplinary process on its own initiative.

____7. Ask the student if they have a safe place to go. If not, encourage them to contact Student Life (293-5611).

____8. The Office of Social Justice (293-5496) is also available to all students. This agency works to protect the rights of all students and is available to answer questions concerning those rights.

____9. The Campus Ministry Center will offer the student counseling support, crisis-intervention services, and spiritual care. All services are strictly voluntary. Immediate appointments can be arranged (292-4061) or (296-0650).

____10. Complete the checklist (see attached) and the Incident Survey Form and retain a copy of each in the student's chart and send a copy to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

Your Role as a Victim Contact...

You are a member of a web-like network of trained contacts that includes caring people from Campus Ministries, Carruth Center, Student Health Service, Department of Public Safety, Student Life, Student Organizations, Office of Social Justice, Residential Education, Morgantown Police Department and Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center. Each contact is prepared to offer services to the student and advise concerning other contacts and their services.

The successful contact-victim interaction is one in which the contact has shared information concerning services available to them and the victim feels free to make a choice as to what, if anything should happen next. A good contact person will listen objectively and not blame the victim. Self-blame is common. The victim needs your support, guidance and understanding. Assure them that it was not their fault.

Confidentiality is a very important issue. Discuss the limits to confidentiality prior to discussing the details of an alleged sexual assault. Under no circumstances should the individual be given the impression that the fact that they are alleging a sexual assault occurred will remain with you. Explain to the victim that basic information about the incident will be shared with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. The Coordinator will share the information with those individuals who are on “need to know basis” only. Individuals should discuss the type of information to be released and should obtain a signature regarding the release information and/or have the person sign the bottom of the protocol checklist. Only the student’s birth month and day are used as identification. A victim born on February 13 th will receive the incident number 132. The victim also needs to be told that you are bound as a WVU employee to share that accusation with Office of Social Justice and Department of Public Safety. Sharing this information with the victim will help him/her stay in control of their case.

The victim of sexual assault may be in shock when you speak with them. They may have trouble staying focused on your instructions. Be patient, speak slowly, and repeat information as necessary. Provide handouts to the victim whenever possible.

Additional information for completing the Incident Checklist:

1. All contacts with the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC) are confidential, except for the sexual assault report form RDVIC will file with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and any reports which are made on a “need to know basis” to administrators or to the Department of Public Safety (293-3136).

2. RDVIC staff should encourage the student to talk to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (293-1377) for help in understanding, evaluating, and choosing among the services available and will offer to facilitate such a meeting. The student needs to understand that their conversation with the Coordinator is voluntary and confidential, although the Coordinator may share information with the campus administration and is be obligated to contact the Department of Public Safety.

3. RDVIC will offer students counseling, advocacy, support and crisis intervention services. All services are strictly voluntary and appointments can be made by phone at 292-5100, 24 hours per pay. Students will receive services free of charge.

4. Student Health Service is available to student’s weekdays during regular business hours. Any other times a student needing medical attention should go to the Emergency Room at Ruby Memorial Hospital. Student Health can offer the sexual assault victim a medical examination and consultation, testing for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), and follow-up as needed. If the student requests a sexual assault evidence collection (rape kit) , and if within 96 hours of the assault, Ruby Memorial Hospital Emergency Room or SHS will complete an evidence collection kit. SHS will pay the charges related to administering the kit. The evidence is given to the appropriate law enforcement agency in case the victim should decide to press charges. While in the ER the local crisis shelter, Rape and Domestic Violence and Information Center RDVIC will offer counseling and support to the victim at no cost. The victim may have a support person with them at anytime. The services are voluntary and any procedure can be terminated at any time.

5. It is important that the student understand that WVU has a hearing process for dealing with incidents of sexual misconduct. Student Life may initiate the disciplinary process on its own initiative. Details of this process can be confidentially discussed with the Student Life Staff (293-5611). The Student Life Staff can offer other services to the student including but not limited to; possible changes in living arrangements for safety reasons and managing academic needs.

6. Ask the student if they have a safe place to go. If not, the student can contact Student Life (293-5611). Safe living arrangements can be made.

7. The Office of Social Justice (293-5496) is also available to all students. This agency works to protect the rights of all students and is available to answer questions concerning those rights.

8. The Campus Ministry Center will offer the student counseling support, crisis- intervention services, and spiritual care. All services are strictly voluntary. Immediate appointments can be arranged ( 292-4061) or (296-0650).

9. RDVIC staff will complete the checklist (see attached) and the Incident Survey Form and retain a copy of each in the student's chart and send a copy to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.