Appendix XII

Sexual Violence Protocol - Texas A&M University at Galveston

1. Go to a safe place as soon as possible following an assault.

If sexual violence occurs, safety and medical assistance are the first considerations.

2. Seek medical assistance and preventative care.

Regardless of the desire to press charges, medical evaluation is important to address physical injuries which may not be readily apparent. Call emergency medical services at 911 or Campus Police at (409)740-4545 or go to the nearest emergency room-University of Texas Medical Branch 901 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX, 77555 (409) 772-1191.

At the hospital a sexual assault examination (also known as a forensic examination) can be conducted to gather evidence, whether or not you choose to prosecute at that time. This procedure includes a physical exam where a doctor or a trained nurse collects the evidence of the assault. You will need to bring an extra set of clothing; the clothing worn during the assault will be collected as evidence. Your sexual assault response advocate will be able to discuss your options regarding prosecution.

It is important to preserve physical evidence of any assault. If you believe you have been drugged, traces of the drug may still appear up to 96 hours after ingestion (depending on dosage, and individual metabolism) the chances of getting proof are best when the sample is obtained quickly. In general, evidence collection is best if done immediately following an assault or within 96 hours. The more time that passes between the sexual assault and medical collection of evidence; the less likely it will be to collect evidence which may be used in the prosecution of a criminal case. Victims of sexual assault should NOT shower or bathe, wash hands, use the toilet, change clothing, or wash clothing or bedding. If the victim has changed clothes and is at a location other than the crime scene, carefully place all clothing worn at the time (or bedding) into a paper bag to be given to the police.

3. Consider seeking psychological counseling or other support.

It is important to seek medical treatment immediately following an assault and get counseling as soon as possible, regardless of whether a report of the incident is made to the police.

There are many services available on campus and in the community to support students, faculty and staff in crisis. Call Counseling and Career Services at 409-740-4736 or reference the Resource and Crisis Center of Galveston County website at www.rccgc.org or (409) 765-7233.

4. Seek assistance from a survivor’s resource.

When an incident is reported, a police detective will come to the emergency room to talk with you. A sexual assault response advocate from the Resource and Crisis Center of Galveston County will also be called to serve as a support person. Advocates can meet with you or talk with you on the phone to provide options about police reporting, medical and counseling services, student conduct options, and a variety of other resources. Call Counseling and Career Services at (409) 740-4736 or reference the Resource and Crisis Center of Galveston County website www.rccgc.org for a list of advocacy agencies.

5. Explore legal options with the relevant police department

To report a crime off campus, call 911; on campus, call Campus Police at (409) 740-4545. An anonymous “Jane/John Doe” report can be filed with the police while deciding whether to pursue criminal charges.

A criminal investigation may occur independent from a student conduct proceeding on campus if the offender is an enrolled student at Texas A&M University Galveston.

6. Explore University disciplinary options with Student Life

You may file an incident report as a violation of Student Rules through the student conduct process. In this case, Texas A&M University does not require the same type of physical evidence to file a complaint as the legal system. The alleged incident may have happened either on or off campus. You can submit a report through Student Life by calling (409) 740-4561.