Whether or not you choose to prosecute, after a sexual assault the physical evidence needed for a prosecution should be collected immediately, ideally within the first 24 hours and usually not later than 72 hours after the incident (3 days). In order not to destroy any evidence needed, it is important that you do not:
Clothing worn during the assault may be kept as evidence, however Bon Secours hospitals will provide a change of clothes. If you have changed clothes since the assault or rape, take what you were wearing at the time of the assault or rape with you in something other than a plastic bag. At the emergency room the nurse may collect hair samples, semen, and other evidence. With your permission, the police may be contacted to take possession of these samples.
Virginia law allows victims of sexual assault to go to the hospital to be treated for injuries and collect the physical evidence without a report being taken by police. See http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/victims/documents/PERKFAQFINAL082208.pdf for further information, Regardless of whether you decide to report the assault immediately, at a later time or never, the PERK kit will be stored in a manner to protect your privacy, pending your decision on reporting to law enforcement. The Commonwealth of Virginia will pay for the costs of the P.E.R.K. exam.
The PERK Tracking System is a web-based system that tracks the location and status of PERKs in Virginia. It is able to track each PERK through every step in the process, including its distribution as an uncollected kit to the collection site (e.g., hospitals) through collection, transfer to law enforcement, submission to the laboratory for analysis, and return to the law enforcement agency for storage. All agencies handling kits are granted access to the System in order to update the status and location of each kit — and victims/survivors may use the Victim Portal feature of the System to check the status of their kits.
If you are a victim of sexual misconduct involving sexual intercourse or contact, we encourage you to do the following:
For emergency services assistance, including contacting law enforcement, emergency medical services or crisis response, contact Campus Safety 804-752-4710 (or x4710 from an on-campus phone). On campus, a blue light emergency phone will connect you directly to the Campus Safety Communications Officer
Even if you choose not to have a hospital exam immediately, it is still important to get medical attention. An exam, in these instances, will include treatment of any physical problems and lab tests for sexually transmitted diseases and/or pregnancy. Any non-emergency treatment can be arranged on campus by calling the Student Health Center at (804) 752-3041 and making an appointment.
Consider contacting the local law enforcement agency, the Ashland Police Department at 804-798-1227. Campus Safety may also assist in establishing contact with the Ashland Police Department.
Talk with a counselor/ sexual assault responder, who will maintain confidentiality, help explain your options, give you information, and provide emotional support. On campus, you can call the Center for Counseling Services at 804-752-7270. When the Center is closed, a counselor is on-call and may be reached through Campus Safety at (804) 752-4710 or through your Resident Assistant; you only need to say that you would like to speak with the sexual assault responder on-call.
Contact someone you trust, such as a close friend, to be with you and support you.
If you are comfortable, officially report the incident to the College, through Campus Safety, The Title IX Coordinator, the Office of Student Conduct or the Dean of Student’s Office. Also, any faculty or staff member can assist you in making a report.
Seek academic, living and working accommodations through the Title IX Coordinator.
Follow up with the Student Health Services or Center for Counseling Services once you establish contact initially.
Consider contacting the local victims services agency, Hanover Safe Place, which can provide companion and advocacy services. Call 24 hours a day at : 804-752-2702 or 1-800-838-8238.
Any Emergency Room at a Bon Secours Hospital can provide an individual with a PERK (Physical Evidence Recovery Kit) Exam. St. Mary’s Hospital (804-281-8184) is the Richmond area hospital that is equipped around the clock to collect forensic evidence following a physical incident of domestic or dating violence. Individuals who are interested should call and ask for the forensic nurse.
Whether or not you choose to prosecute, after an attack using physical force as part of domestic or dating violence, the physical evidence needed for a prosecution should be collected immediately, ideally within the first 24 hours and usually not later than 72 hours after the incident (3 days). In order not to destroy any evidence needed, it is important that you do not:
Clothing worn during the assault may be kept as evidence, however Bon Secours hospitals will provide a change of clothes. If you have changed clothes since the assault, take what you were wearing at the time with you in something other than a plastic bag. At the emergency room the nurse may collect hair samples and other evidence. With your permission, the police may be contacted to take possession of these samples.
If you are a victim of sexual misconduct involving sexual intercourse or contact, we encourage you to do the following:
A medical examination will provide any necessary treatment and collect important evidence. Injuries may not be immediately apparent. It is important to seek immediate and follow-up medical attention for several reasons:
For emergency services assistance, including contacting law enforcement, emergency medical services or crisis response, contact Campus Safety 804-752-4710 (or x4710 from an on-campus phone). On campus, a blue light emergency phone will connect you directly to the Campus Safety Communications Officer
Even if you choose not to have a hospital exam immediately, it is still important to get medical attention. An exam, in these instances, will include treatment of any physical problems. Any non-emergency treatment can be arranged on campus by calling the Student Health Center at (804) 752-3041 and making an appointment.
Consider contacting the local law enforcement agency, the Ashland Police Department at 804-798-1227. Campus Safety may also assist in establishing contact with the Ashland Police Department.
Talk with a counselor/ sexual assault responder, who will maintain confidentiality, help explain your options, give you information, and provide emotional support. On campus, you can call the Center for Counseling Services at 804-752-7270. When the Center is closed, a counselor is on-call and may be reached through Campus Safety at (804) 752-4710 or through your Resident Assistant; you only need to say that you would like to speak with the sexual assault responder on-call. Also, the YWCA has a 24-hour Crisis Hotline available at (804) 643-0888.
Contact someone you trust, such as a close friend, to be with you and support you. It may be helpful to get support from your friends and family. Although this is not an easy topic to share with your loved ones, asking for help is a assign of courage and strength.
If you are comfortable, officially report the incident to the College, through Campus Safety, The Title IX Coordinator, the Office of Student Conduct or the Dean of Student’s Office. Also, any faculty or staff member can assist you in making a report.
Consider contacting the local victims services agency, Hanover Safe Place, which can provide companion and advocacy services. Call 24 hours a day at : 804-752-2702 or 1-800-838-8238. Hanover Safe Place is an excellent resource which can connect you to other resources, help ensure you are aware of any legal processes and your rights under the law.
Seek academic, living and working accommodations through the methods below.
Consider obtaining a No-Contact Order through the College or a Civil Protection Order from the Commonwealth of
Virginia.
Follow up with the Student Health Services or Center for Counseling Services once you establish contact initially
If you believing stalking is taking place that is directed towards you, we encourage you to do the following:
If you believe you are in immediate danger, call the police at 911 (or 9-911 from an on-campus line). Explain what is causing you fear.
File a report with the Office of Campus Safety. To do so, contact Campus Safety 804-752-4710 (or x4710 from an on-campus phone). On campus, a blue light emergency phone will connect you directly to the Campus Safety Communications Officer
Consider contacting the local law enforcement agency, the Ashland Police Department at 804-798-1227 to file a report or make a complaint for criminal action. Campus Safety may also assist in establishing contact with the Ashland Police Department. Stalking is illegal in Virginia (see below).
Take any threats seriously.
If you are comfortable, officially report the incident to the College, through Campus Safety, The Title IX Coordinator, the Office of Student Conduct or the Dean of Student’s Office.
Talk with a counselor, who will maintain confidentiality, help explain your options, give you information, and provide emotional support. On campus, you can call the Center for Counseling Services at 804-752-7270. When the Center is closed, a counselor is on-call and may be reached through Campus Safety at (804) 752-4710 or through your Resident Assistant; you only need to say that you would like to speak with the sexual assault responder on-call
Seek out support from friendly, family, victims services and college professionals
Seek academic, living and working accommodations through the methods below.
Consider obtaining a No-Contact Order through the College or a Civil Protection Order from the Commonwealth of Virginia (both are described in detail below).
If a stalker contacts you clearly communicate to that person only once that you want no further contact. Do not initiate any further communication with the stalker.
Keep a log documenting every incident of contact with the stalker.
Save all evidence of potential stalking including letters, phone messages, e-mails, Internet postings, and any other
communication.
Inform your friends, Resident Assistant, fellow employees and employer, so they will be aware of your situation.
Consider developing a safety plan. The Office of Campus Safety can assist you with this.
Consider contacting the local victims services agency, Hanover Safe Place, which can provide companion and advocacy services. Call 24 hours a day at: 804-752-2702 or 1-800-838-8238.
