Reference _____________ Date____________

Instructions: the staff person working with the student reporting a sexual 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 record and forward the original to the Sexual Response Coordinator with a copy of the Incident Survey Form.

____1. Explain to the patient that all contact at Student Health Service is confidential except for the Incident Survey Form you will file with the Sexual Response Coordinator.

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

____3. Offer a medical examination and consultation, testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections and pregnancy. If within 96 hours of the assault, recommend that the student have a Rape Evidence Collection Kit completed by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. At the wish of the victim the evidence may be given to the appropriate law enforcement agency either at this time or later. If the student is pressing charges or may want to press charges in the future the evidence is essential.

____4. If the reported assault took place on campus, inform the student that you must contact the Department of Public Safety (293-3136). If the assault occurred off campus encourage the student to contact Morgantown Police Department (284-7444).

____5. Inform the student about counseling services at Carruth Center (293-4431).

____6. Ask the student if they have a safe place to go. Explain that Student Life will help them find safe housing (293-5611).

____7. Explain to the student that WVU has a disciplinary hearing process for dealing with misconduct.

____ 8. Explain that The Office of Social Justice (293-5496) is also available to all students. They work to protect the rights of all students and are available to answer questions concerning those rights.

____ 9. Explain that 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 or 296-0650).

____10. Complete the Incident Survey Form and forward to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (293-1377) PO Box 9247, Student Health Service, Morgantown, WV 26506.

____11. Give the student a copy or the information packet provided by the Sexual Assault Prevention Office.

____12. 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 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 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 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 Student Health Service are confidential except for the shaded areas of the anonymous Incident Survey Form that the SHS will immediately file with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and any reports that are made to other appropriate university personnel and to the Department of Public Safety.
   
   
2. SHS 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 and may be obligated to contact the Department of Public Safety. In the absence of the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator the local crisis shelter, Rape and Domestic Violence and Information Center RDVIC may offer counseling and support to the victim at no cost. The victim may have a support person with them at anytime.
   
   
3. SHS is available to students Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 PM with the exception of opening 9:30 on Thursdays. 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. At the wish of the victim the evidence may be given to the appropriate law enforcement agency either at this time or later. The services are voluntary and any procedure can be terminated at any time.
   
   
4. SHS will inform the student about counseling at Carruth Center (293-4433). Remind the student that all contacts with Carruth Center are voluntary and confidential (except for the filing of an anonymous Incident Survey Form with the Coordinator).
   
   
5. Ask the student if they have a safe place to go. If not, the student can contact Student Life staff.
   
   
6. It is important that the student understands 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).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.
   
   
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 should be arranged if needed 292-4061 or 296-0650.
   
   
9. SHS 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.