| Skip Navigation | |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
In
Case of Sexual Assault |
||||||||||||||||||
| What if the victim was drinking? Bringing Charges at Calvin College Telling Family and Significant Others Seeking Professional Counseling A Word to Support Persons Directions to YWCA |
|||||||||||||||||||
What To Do If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted
Why Go For Help?Because you may have internal injuries, you need to have a physical examination. Also the risks for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy need to be discussed. Additionally, the assault needs to be legally documented and evidence collected; this is referred to as the Medical-Legal Exam. Even if your initial thought is you would never go to court, it is best to have the evidence collected in case you change your mind later. The Medical-Legal Exam can be done up to 96 hours post-assault. To minimize compounding evidence, however, the sooner you have the exam done, the better. If more time has elapsed, a physical exam is still strongly recommended. Making a Police ReportWhen the Grand Rapids Police are called (456-3400), a rape response officer will be dispatched. The officer will secure evidence at the scene of the assault and take your statement as to what happened. It is possible that the police will transport you to the YWCA Nurse Examiner Program if you so desire. Police Investigation - What To ExpectIn order to investigate the crime, a police detective will question you, collect evidence from the crime scene, receive the evidence obtained by the nurse examiner at the YWCA or the hospital, and take a formal statement. The police will protect your anonymity. Questioning will usually focus on the events prior to the initial contact with the assailant, a detailed account of the behavior and words used by the assailant, circumstances of the assault, and a description of the assailant. They may also ask about when you last had consensual sex. Questioning is done in a non-judgmental manner. In preparation for this interview, you may wish to write down your account in advance. Prosecution - What Does It Involve?Sexual assault is a crime that is prosecuted by the State. You are assigned an attorney from the Kent County Prosecutor's office. This person is usually part of a special sex crimes unit. In Kent County the Victim Witness Unit (632-5400) assists the survivor with information on legal rights, compensation, and support, and also guides the survivor through the maze of the court system. The Law in Michigan . . .Michigan 's Criminal Sexual Conduct Code (CSC) prohibits forced or coerced sexual activity, the extent of which may range from the touching of sexual parts of the body to penetration of any oral, vaginal, or anal body cavity. The survivor may be female or male. Consent must be clear and freely given. A person under the influence of drugs or alcohol is considered incapable of giving the consent. Even with consent, sexual involvement with a person under age 16 is open to charges of CSC. A rape shield provision in the law restricts admissible evidence concerning the survivor's prior sexual history. The prosecution does not have to prove that a survivor resisted during the assault. There are four degrees of Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) and specific penalties are assigned to each degree. When assault includes penetration, a charge of 1 st or 3 rd degree CSC is indicated, with 1 st degree denoting that additional aggravating factors were present. When the assault includes contact but not penetration, a charge of 2 nd or 4 th CSC is indicated, with 2 nd degree denoting that additional aggravating factors were present. "Aggravating factors" include such things as force, coercion, use of a weapon, personal injury, emotional trauma, or survivor incapacity. Maximum sentences range from two years to life in prison. There are several levels of the prosecution process including issuance of a warrant, arrest, arraignment, preliminary hearing, and the trial. This process may last more than a year, but each step does not require the survivor's presence in court. Being called to court to testify can be emotionally difficult and traumatic, and this is an area where an individual from the Victim Witness Unit can be especially supportive and helpful. What if the Victim was Drinking?Rape or sexual assault is not the fault of the victim. When intoxicated, one cannot be considered as giving consent. See Sexual Assault Policy. The victim will not be under discipline for drinking. See Victim Amnesty Bringing Charges at Calvin CollegeCalvin College does not tolerate any acts or threats of sexual assault or physical assault whether directed at males or females, someone known or unknown, which involved use of force or coercion, without consent or when a person is incapable of consent (Student Conduct, Code). Read the Student Conduct Code and Sexual Assault Policy online. Victim Amnesty- Where alcohol violation has been involved, the victim need not fear discipline. Sexual assault is considered the more serious situation. The student considering formal charges against another student may initially talk to a Student Life Dean, Residence Director, or a Broene Counseling Center counselor to discuss procedures and options. The survivor is entitled to be accompanied by a current member of the Calvin community - student, faculty member, or administrator - who can provide emotional support during initial disciplinary proceedings. The survivor also has the right to request reasonable and feasible efforts by the college to be shielded from the assailant. This may include providing alternative work, academic or living arrangements if these options are available. The standard of proof is based on a "preponderance of evidence" which differs from the presiding judicial system where the standard of conviction is "beyond a reasonable doubt." Bringing charges through the Student Conduct Code may be done in addition to filing criminal charges with the police. A conviction at the college level can result in a range of sanctions including suspension. An additional option is to file a civil lawsuit. The goal of a civil suit is to compensate the survivor for injury caused by the action of the perpetrator. This would require the hiring of an attorney. Filing criminal charges, college charges, or a civil lawsuit can be important steps towards closure, but the healing process happens over much time and with support. Telling Family and Significant OthersWhen considering whether to tell your family and others close to you, anticipating their possible reactions is helpful. Review your past and current relationships and history of support. If your family and/or significant others are not told, you may experience feelings of isolation and guilt over keeping this from them. Your family may find out from another source at a later date. It is also important to note that you may be denying yourself a major source of support. You may wish to discuss this and other decisions with a trusted friend or counselor. Seeking Professional CounselingEach survivor has his/her own recovery timetable. Some people are ready for counseling right away and others are not. Being heard by someone who is objective, supportive, and non-judgmental is crucial. Free on-campus, confidential counseling is available for students through the Broene Counseling Center . The YWCA Counseling Center offers six free sessions of crisis counseling. They also offer ongoing individual and group counseling on a sliding fee scale. The Broene Center also can recommend other off-campus therapists if you choose. A Word to Support PersonsThe survivor of sexual assault has been through a very traumatic experience and it is important that she/he receive support, assistance, and accurate information. Your being there in a supportive way is immensely valuable. Allow the survivor to make choices and remain in control. Give reassurance that she/he is not to blame. Listen as she/he talks about the experience. Be accepting of the survivor's many emotional reactions including anger, fear, anxiety, and depression. There is literature available in the Broene Counseling Center for friends, husbands, boyfriends, fathers and other significant people who want help in understanding and supporting you, and also in understanding their own feelings. Consultation is also available at the Broene Counseling Center.
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
 |
||||
|
Apply Financial Aid Visit Campus Request Info. |
About Calvin Giving to Calvin Hekman Library Contact Calvin |
Majors & Minors A-Z Index People at Calvin Calvin's website |
Broene Counseling Center |
