Reference _____________ Date____________

Instructions: the staff person should initial each area. Please refer to full protocol discussion for additional information about each step. Forward the original copy of this checklist along with the original copy of the sexual assault reporting form, and a copy or the release of information form to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Student Health Service, PO Box 9247.

____1.The Counseling Center Staff will explain that all contacts with counselors are confidential. If a student wished to file a report, he/she is given the option of filing the complete form or only the shaded areas.

____2. Encourage the student to speak with the Sexual Response Coordinator (293-1377/6972) for support in understanding, evaluating and choosing among the services available to them.

____3. Encourage the student to get medical care. Student Health Service will offer a medical examination and consultation, testing for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and pregnancy, will 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. At the wish of the victim the evidence may be given to the appropriate law enforcement agency either at this time or later.

____4. If the reported assault took place on campus inform the student that the Department of Public Safety (293-3136) must be notified. If the assault occurred off campus encourage the student to contact Morgantown Police Department 284-7522, Star City Police Dept. 599-3550, Westover Police Dept. 296-6576, Mon. County Sheriff’s Dept.

____5. Ask the student if they have a safe place to go. If not, the staff member will help the student review resources available if a safe place is not available.

____6. Explain to the student that WVU has a disciplinary hearing process for dealing with misconduct. Details of this process can be confidentially discussed with the Student Life Staff (293-5611) and that Student Life may initiate the disciplinary hearing on its own initiative.

_____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 for questions concerning those rights..

_____8. The Campus Ministry Center staff will offer the student counseling support, crisis- intervention, and spiritual care. All services are strictly voluntary and appointments are made by phone (292-4061). Immediate appointments can be arranged if needed.

_____9. The Counseling Center Staff will give the student a copy of WVU’s sexual assault information brochure

_____10. Refer media/press inquiries to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator or Student Affairs. This will insure accuracy and consistency.

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 a sexual assault. Under no circumstances should the individual be given the impression that the fact that 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, including the Department of Public Safety. 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 13th 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 the Office of Social Justice and Department of Public Safety.

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 Counseling Center are confidential and no information is released to the sexual assault response coordinator unless release of information is signed. If a student wishes to sign a report , he/she is given the option of filing the complete form or just the shaded areas.
   
   
2. Carruth staff should encourage the student to talk to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator 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 on a need to know basis and the Department of Public Safety.
   
   
3. Carruth Staff should encourage a victim of sexual assault to get medical care. Student Health Service is available to students Monday through Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 PM. Thursday’s hours are 9:30 to 4:30. A student needing medical attention should go to the Emergency Room at Ruby Memorial Hospital when SHS is not open. 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, 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 if this is the desire of the victim. 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.
   
   
4. The Carruth service must inform the student that allegations of on-campus activity must be reported to the Department of Public Safety and encourage the student to report off-campus allegations to the appropriate law enforcement agency. This does not require the student to press charges.
   
   
5. Ask the student if they have a safe place to go. If not the staff member will help the student review resources for safe housing. Student Life (293-5611) will be helpful.
   
   
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 confidentially discussed with the Student Life Staff (293-5611). The student should understand that Student Life may initiate the disciplinary process on its own initiative. They can offer other services to the student including but not limited to; possible changes in living arrangements for safety reasons and managing academic needs.
   
   
7. The Office of Social Justice (293-5496) is also available to all students. This unit works to protect the rights of all students and is available for 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. Appointments can be made at 292-4061 or 296-0650.
   
   
9. Give the student a copy of WVU’s sexual assault information brochure.