If you have been sexually assaulted:
Guidance for Preserving Evidence
If you have been sexually assaulted or raped, one of the first concerns is
your medical condition. It is critical that you get a medical examination
to assess for physical injuries, to test for the possibility of sexually
transmitted infections or pregnancy, and most importantly for your
own well-being. If done promptly, the exam can also obtain important
evidence that can be used in a criminal prosecution.
Here are some general guidelines for preserving evidence:
Important Definitions
Under Western’s Policy on Preventing and Responding
to Sex Discrimination, Including Sexual Misconduct:
Sexual Assault:
Any actual or attempted sexual contact or behavior with another person
without that person’s consent.
WA RCW 7.90.150 (6a) a sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030, any violation of RCW
9A.44.096, or any violation of RCW 9.68A.090, or any gross misdemeanor that is, under
chapter 9A.28 RCW, a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to
commit an offense that is classified as a sex offense under RCW 9.94A.030.
(RCW stands for Revised Code of Washington.)
Domestic Violence:
1. Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent
Confidential Resources:
On-Campus Support:
Consultation and Sexual
Assault Support (CASAS)
Old Main 585B | (360) 650-3700
CASAS is Western’s caring and compassionate resource to assist all
Preserve all physical
evidence available
for purposes of
documentation.
Do not bathe, shower,
or douche until
you’ve had a medical
examination.
Do not brush your
teeth or chew gum.
assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking or harassment. CASAS staff
provide confidential, professional consultation, information about medical
services, legal information and reporting options, academic support, and
support groups for survivors of sexual/dating violence. CASAS can also
help students make a report to the University or to the police.
Old Main 540 | (360) 650-3164
(After hours phone support available).
Stalking:
The Counseling Center provides confidential counseling, including crisis
1. He or she intentionally and repeatedly harasses or repeatedly follows
If the location of the
assault is accessible
to you, disturb it as
little as possible.
Do not change or
wash bedding.
Dating Violence:
Violence committed by a person:
1. Who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature
with the victim
2. Where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a
Seeking medical attention can be critical to assessing your overall
health needs, testing for sexually transmitted infections and
pregnancy, and collecting evidence that may be used in
legal proceedings. Staff at these facilities are specially trained and
sensitive to your needs and concerns in getting medical assistance.
Consider visiting the following locations for medical attention:
Student Health Center
360.650.3400
2001 Bill McDonald Pkwy, Bellingham
Provides emergency contraceptive services and treatment for injuries and
sexually transmitted infections. Available during weekday business hours.
St. Joseph’s Hospital
360.734.5400
2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham
Provides treatment for injuries and sexually transmitted infections, and rape
kit assessments with a sexual assault nurse examiner. Advocates for survivors
are available on call. Open all hours.
University Policy 1600.04, Preventing and Responding
community resources that can offer more specialized or longer-term help
Student Health Center
the person in fear or intimidate or harass the person. (RCW 9A.46.110)
consideration of the following factors:
a. the length of the relationship
b. the type of relationship
c. the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship
Consent:
Consent is a voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity.
Consent is informed, freely given, and mutual. If coercion, intimidation,
threats, or physical force are used there is no consent. (RCW 9A.44.010)
Campus Services Building,
2001 Bill McDonald Pkwy. | (360) 650-3400
2. There is no consent when there is force, expressed
treatment for injuries and sexually transmitted infections, and emergency
contraceptive services.
Off-Campus Support (Bellingham):
DVSAS (Domestic Violence
& Sexual Assault Services)
1407 Commercial Street, Bellingham
24-hour helpline (360) 715-1563 or (877) 715-1563
DVSAS offers free and confidential services, including a 24-hour helpline
seven days a week, walk-in services weekdays from 9am to 5pm, support
groups, emergency shelter, and legal, medical and social services
sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking,
and outlines survivors’ rights. Western takes action to
prevent sexual misconduct, support survivors, and hold
perpetrators accountable.
Under Title IX, all students
have the right to an
educational environment free
from sex discrimination.
You have this right regardless of your sexual orientation,
gender identity, race, disability, or other aspect of your
identity. Western prohibits retaliation against individuals
who file or participate in sex discrimination complaints.
resources for survivors.
Western Washington University’s
Together Against Sexual Violence website:
wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence
3. Coercion, force, or threat of either invalidates consent.
4. Silence or an absence of resistance does not imply consent.
5. Consent to engage in sexual activity with one person does not imply
Western is committed to
ensuring that all students are
safe and have the opportunity
to benefit fully from educational
programs and activities.
Western cares about the safety and well-being of all
members of the campus community. Students who
consent to engage in sexual activity with another person.
7. Past consent to sexual activities does not imply ongoing future consent.
prohibits sexual harassment, gender-based harassment,
advocacy. The DVSAS website, www.dvsas.org, lists many community
or implied, or use of duress or deception.
6. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.
to Sex Discrimination, Including Sexual Misconduct,
The Student Health Center provides confidential health care, including
1. If a person is mentally or physically incapacitated or impaired so that such
person cannot understand the fact, nature or extent of the sexual situation, there
is no consent. This includes impairment or incapacitation due to alcohol or drug
consumption, or being asleep or unconscious or because of an intellectual or other
disability that prevents the person from having the capacity to give consent.
an environment in which students, staff, and faculty can
learn and work free from all types of sexual misconduct.
intends to injure the person, another person, or property of the person or of
another person. The feeling of fear must be one that a reasonable person in the
same situation would experience under all the circumstances; and
intimidated, or harassed even if the stalker did not intend to place
* Western Washington University is committed to providing
also assists students by referring them to other services on campus and to
with problems and concerns.
3. The stalker either:
a. Intends to frighten, intimidate, or harass the person;
b. Knows or reasonably should know that the person is afraid, Western prohibits sex
discrimination, including
sexual misconduct.*
appointments and after-hours emergency services. The Counseling Center
another person; and
2. The person being harassed or followed is placed in fear that the stalker
You can change clothes,
but do not launder what
you were wearing at the
time of the incident — keep
the clothes in a paper bag
to preserve evidence.
Counseling Center
another family or household member. (RCW 26.50.010)
A person commits the crime of stalking if, without lawful authority and
under circumstances not amounting to a felony attempt of another crime:
Student Rights and Resources
students who, at any period in their life, have been affected by sexual
physical harm, bodily injury or assault, between family or household members;
2. sexual assault of one family or household member by another;
3. stalking as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 of one family or household member by
Together Against
Sexual Violence
experience sexual misconduct are encouraged to report it
To request this document in an alternate format,
please contact PWS at 360.650.2993 or [email protected]
Western is an equal opportunity institution
whether the misconduct occurs on or off campus.
Reporting Options:
Prevention:
Abusive Relationship Warning Signs:
• Your partner is jealous and possessive towards you.
• Your partner tries to control you by being bossy
and never considers your opinions.
• Your partner scares you, making you afraid of how they
will react to things you do or say.
• Your partner has a quick temper and history of violence
towards others.
• Your partner pressures you into doing things that you do
not want to do, such as having sex or breaking the law.
If you feel you are in an
abusive relationship:
• Take it seriously. If you are in immediate danger,
call the police.
• Talk to someone about it, such as a friend, parent, clergy,
or counselor. You are not alone.
• Get yourself a safety plan; WWU’s CASAS (360.650.3700)
can assist you with this.
• Call for help to assist you with restraining orders, safety
planning, education, support, and other services you
may need.
• Your partner has a history of bad relationships.
• Your partner believes in rigid gender roles.
• Your family and friends have warned you about your partner
or told you that they are worried for your safety.
When safety is a concern, Western will take interim measures to
protect the complaining party during the investigative process as
necessary and with the complainant’s permission.
Western’s Title IX Coordinator in the
Equal Opportunity Office
Old Main 345 | (360) 650-3307
If you suspect someone
is in an abusive relationship:
• Voice your concerns.
• Don't force them to break up with their partner until
they are ready to do so on their own terms.
• Let them know that they do not have to face the
• Have their needs be as important as their partner's needs.
• Offer your support and guidance, and refer them to the
appropriate resources.
• Educate yourself about abusive relationships.
Western’s Office of Student Life
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=516-21-250
The Office of Student Life investigates sexual misconduct
perpetrated by another Western student using Western’s student
conduct process, and coordinates with the Title IX Coordinator.
University & Bellingham Police
Campus Services Building | (360) 650-3911 (emergency)
650-3555 (report) | 911 (emergency)
Provides information on protective orders and services
for filing a criminal report.
behavior or actions.
• Be able to voice their thoughts, feelings and opinions.
Required Training
• Be free from emotional, sexual, financial and physical
transfer and graduate students – are required to complete
All new matriculated students – including freshmen,
abuse at all times.
• Change their minds and not feel threatened.
• Spend time with their friends and family and not feel
pressured by their partner's jealousy.
Western’s Investigative
Procedures:
Haven, an online sexual violence prevention training.
Haven addresses the creation of healthy relationships,
Possible
Sanctions:
Possible
Sanctions:
Sanctions
imposed
may may
include
one orone
more
the of the
Sanctions
imposed
include
or of
more
following.
Sanctions
may
be tailored
to the
meet the
following.
Sanctions
may be
tailored
to meet
circumstances
ofparticular
the particular
circumstances
of the
case.case.
2
Conditional status.
3
Loss of privileges.
4
Restriction from contacting others
("no contact" order).
5
Educational activities.
6
Assessment, counseling, or treatment programs.
7
Restitution.
8
Parental notification.
training specific to these issues.
9
Campus residence hall or apartment relocation.
You have the right to receive assistance from
Western while the investigation is occurring.
10
Termination of university residences agreement.
11
Suspension from the university.
12
Deferred suspension.
13
Expulsion from the university.
obligate an individual to file a police report or interact with the
alleged assailant. A complaint begins an investigation in which
involved parties are met with individually.
Western’s Discrimination Complaint Procedure,
wwu.edu/eoo, provides for prompt and equitable investigation
of complaints alleging violations of Title IX. Retaliation against
complainants is prohibited by Title IX and will not be tolerated
by Western. Western is committed to resolving complaints with a
prompt, equitable, adequate, reliable and impartial investigation.
situations, and describes ways you can help strengthen the
The investigation is conducted by officials who receive annual
• Live without fear and confusion from their partner's anger.
of. Haven also provides information on Western’s policies,
• Be treated with respect and never called names.
resources and reporting options regarding sexual violence.
• Negotiate conflict and make decisions about the
For more information about Haven, including FAQs and a
Depending on the situation, this might include issuing a no-
link to complete the training, please visit wwu.edu/haven.
contact order, modifying on-campus living arrangements,
relationship together.
Investigations conducted by the Title IX Coordinator/Equal
Opportunity Office and Office of Student Life use the preponderance
of evidence standard. This standard asks whether it is more likely
than not that the allegations occurred.
Warning.
emphasizes the importance of obtaining consent in sexual
safe, positive university community you want to be part
Standard of evidence used:
1
Making a report or filing a complaint with Western does not
• Be free from blame or responsibility for their partner's
Complainants and respondents have similar rights
in the student conduct process and these include:
To provide evidence on their own behalf, be accompanied through
the process by a person of their choice, to receive written notification
of the outcome, and to request a review/appeal of the decision.
All rights, and rights specific to the complainant and respondent,
can be found here:
situation alone.
Remember, in a healthy relationship,
each person is entitled to:
Administrative interim no-contact orders are typically issued to
both the complainant and the respondent(s). Depending on class
and on-campus work schedules, these may include temporary
trespass orders. If the complainant lives on-campus, there is
the option for alternative, temporary housing. Complainants are
encouraged to work with appropriate resources (CASAS, DVSAS,
police) for safety planning.
The Title IX Coordinator investigates sexual misconduct as a
form of discrimination using the University’s Discrimination
Complaint Procedure, and can help coordinate support and
accommodations for survivors.
Viking Union 544 | (360) 650-3706
• Your partner abuses illegal drugs and alcohol.
• Your partner blames you for their problems, including
those they brought upon themselves.
Students who experience sexual violence may use
any or all of the following reporting options.
Protective measures that WWU offers following an
allegation of sexual misconduct:
academic accommodations such as changes in class or testing
schedule, safety planning, or counseling, without penalty to you.