Student Life

The following points should be kept in mind for sexual assault victims:

• sexual assault victims need to know specifically what services are available to them and who provides them
• victims of sexual assault need clearly defined response options
• time is of the essence to ensure immediate support for a student who is in crisis, and in order to secure evidence for possible prosecution
• service providers must be clear about the student's confidentiality, as any outside communication may be experienced by the victim as a violation of trust
• the victim needs to move at their own pace through the process of recovery

The university is committed to providing professional and compassionate services, and promoting informed decision making for any student, employee, or campus visitor who reports sexual assault. 

Confidentiality

Confidentiality will be vigorously respected and protected in each report of sexual assault. However, when limits on confidentiality exist due to legal or procedural standards, those limits will be reviewed with persons reporting sexual assault to ensure their understanding, and where possible, their choice in decisions which drive reporting processes.

The Office of Residence Life’s responsibilities in instances of sexual assault include to:

• maintain confidentiality, except in legal or procedural situations
• have the Resident Assistant (RA) notify the Residence Hall Director (RHD) if Residence Life is the first contact made by the student
• have the RHD (at a minimum) file an anonymous sexual assault incident report form with the Office of Student Life within 24 hours  
• provide the option of talking to the RHD or other Residence Life personnel
• suggest that the student may want to call family/loved ones for support
• assist the student in finding a safe place to go
• encourage the student to go to Northern Medical Services or Flagstaff Medical Center if physical injury or complaint of pain is present
• encourage the student to go to the Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (NACASA ) if no physical injury or pain is present for a medical/forensic examination
• help the student secure professional services, such as Victim/Witness Services
• explain that an advocate from Victim/Witness Services will respond to campus, Flagstaff Medical Center, or NACASA, if desired, to assist them through the process
• advise the student that time is of the essence for medical services and retrieval of evidence
• advise the student against inadvertently destroying evidence by showering or changing clothes
• discuss with the student the option of filing a report with the Northern Arizona University Police or Student Life
• encourage the student to take advantage of counseling services available through the Northern Arizona University Counseling Services
• inform the student that the Office of Student Life can help manage academic demands or help relocate a student if necessary or desired
• inform the student of the option to file a report under the Student Code of Conduct in the Office of Student Life

The responsibilities of the medical services department within Medical Services in instances of sexual assault include to:

• offer appropriate consultation, examination, and/or treatment
• explain the limits of confidentiality to the student/employee
• advise the student/employee how to protect and maintain a chain of evidence
• offer an appropriate referral for medical/forensic examination and counseling at the Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (NACASA) (if no physical injury or complaints of pain are present) and/or Flagstaff Medical Center (if injuries or complaint of pain is present) if disclosure occurs within a 120-hour period, offer medical services at Medical Services if disclosure occurs after a 120-hour period, or the student/employee chooses not to report
• offer a medical examination, testing for sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV), pregnancy testing, and/or Plan B as indicated
• explain the availability of testing for Rohypnol and other "date rape" drugs
• explain to the student/employee how to file a report with the university or local police
• inform the student/employee of the option to speak with NACASA
• encourage the student/employee to seek counseling at NACASA, Counseling Services, or Employee Assistance and Wellness
• possibly file an anonymous sexual assault incident report form with the Office of Student Life within 24 hours if Medical Services is the first contact made by the student/employee 

The responsibilities of the counseling services department within Campus Health Services in instances of sexual assault include to:

• offer the student direct counseling support and crisis intervention
• explain the limits of confidentiality to the victim
• present the option of receiving services from Victim/Witness Services
• explain that an advocate from Victim/Witness Services will respond to Flagstaff Medical Center or the Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (NACASA) , if desired, to assist them through the process
• encourage the student to go to medical services or the Flagstaff Medical Center emergency room (if physical injury or complaint of pain is present), or to the NACASA site (if no physical injury or pain are present)
• explain that time is of the essence in obtaining evidence
• advise student not to inadvertently destroy evidence by showering or changing clothes
• explain that the police will hold any evidence obtained until the student decides whether or not to press charges
• present the option to file a report with either the university or local police
• inform the student of the option to file a report under the Student Code of Conduct in the Office of Student Life
• inform the student of services available through the Office of Student Life
• assist the student in finding a safe place to go by reviewing resources available through the Office of Residence Life
• explain that there may be some situations that will require notification of the Incident Management Team in order to safeguard the university community
• possibly file an anonymous sexual assault incident report form with the Office of Student Life within 24 hours if this department is the first contact made by the student 

The responsibilities of the University Police in instances of sexual assault include to:

• conduct a full investigation upon the victim’s request
• complete a departmental report, which will be maintained in the Northern Arizona University Police Department Records Division
• advise the victim that all discussions are not confidential, as the investigation may require, as per the Campus Security Act, notification of the Incident Management Team if immediate danger is posed to the university community
• possibly forward the case to the County Attorney's Office and/or Student Life for review
• present the victim with the following options for further action:
• review by the County Attorney's Office for Criminal Complaint
• deferral to the university's disciplinary proceedings
• an "information only report” when the victim wants no action taken
• explain the evidence gathering process and the importance of timeliness in obtaining such evidence
• encourage the victim to go to the Flagstaff Medical Center (if physical injury or complaint of pain is present) or to the Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (NACASA) (if no physical injury or pain are present) for a medical/forensic exam
• explain the examination process and offer further victim support services
• refer the victim to Medical Services for medical care (excluding a medical/forensic exam)
• present the option of speaking with Victim/Witness Services
• explain to the victim that an advocate will respond to campus, Flagstaff Medical Center, or NACASA, if desired, to assist them through the process
• advise the victim that actions taken through the university's Student Code of Conduct may affect the outcome of any criminal or civil proceedings, and vice versa
• inform the victim that police will retain evidence until the court system or the university disciplinary proceeding has reached a final decision
• advise that the property may be returned to the legal owner if the victim decides not to pursue any further investigation
• reinforce counseling services available through Medical Services and local community agencies
• complete and provide the victim with the Victim's Rights Pamphlet
• if necessary, contact the Office of Residence Life to review the victim's housing situation if student safety is an issue
• make a notification of sexual assault to university officials via the page-out system

The responsibilities of the Office of Student Life in instances of sexual assault include to:

• explain confidentiality in reporting and the limits of confidentiality within the Student Code of Conduct process
• present the option of speaking with Victim/Witness Services
• explain that an advocate from Victim/Witness Services will respond to campus, Flagstaff Medical Center, or the Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (NACASA), if desired, to assist them through the process
• provide the student with information on counseling services provided by Campus Health Services and facilitate this access
• assist the student in finding a safe place to go by reviewing services available through the Office of Residence Life
• make changes in living arrangements in order to prevent further contact between the victim and perpetrator, at the student’s request
• encourage the student to go to Medical Services or Flagstaff Medical Center emergency room (if physical injury or complaint of pain is present) or to NACASA (if no physical injury or pain is present) for a medical/forensic exam
• explain that time is of the essence in obtaining evidence
• offer to contact faculty to request academic accommodation
• provide information on course withdrawals and withdrawal from the university
• advise the student of the university disciplinary process and option to file a written referral to initiate the student disciplinary proceedings
• explain that the dean may share information with the Incident Management Team in a case that poses immediate danger to the community
• help initiate the process of filing a report under the Student Code of Conduct and/or criminal report through the university police
• present the student with options to file a report with campus or local police
• recommend that the student speak with an attorney to seek advice about legal action and impact; the student may have the option to bring a civil suit

possibly file an anonymous sexual assault incident report form that will be retained by the Office of Student Life if this department is the first contact made by the student 

The responsibilities of Employee Assistance and Wellness in instances of sexual assault include to:

• offer the employee direct counseling support and crisis intervention
• discuss confidentiality guidelines with the employee
• present the option of receiving services from Victim/Witness Services
• explain that an advocate from Victim/Witness Services will respond to Flagstaff Medical Center or the Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (NACASA) site, if desired, to assist them through the process
• encourage the employee to go to Medical Services, the Flagstaff Medical Center emergency room (if physical injury or complaint of pain is present) or to NACASA (if no physical injury or pain is present), if the employee is reporting the incident within 120 hours of the assault,
• explain that time is of the essence in obtaining evidence
• advise the employee not to inadvertently destroy evidence by showering or changing clothes
• present the option to file a report with either the Northern Arizona University Police Department or local police
• inform the employee of services available through the university
• inform the employee of service available through the Office of Employee Assistance and Wellness, Biodyne, NACASA, and other supportive agencies that offer services to employees
• assist the employee in finding a safe place to go by reviewing resources available in the community

The responsibilities of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity in instances of sexual assault include to:

• explain the victim’s rights under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to be free of discrimination based on gender, including sexual harassment and assault
• ensure compliance with Title IX and other applicable federal and state laws
• explain the applicability and option of filing a complaint under the Safe Working and Learning Environment Policy
• conduct an investigation of any such complaint
• explain the policy’s protection against retaliation and its limits on confidentiality
• coordinate with other resources as appropriate

The responsibilities of Victim/Witness Services in instances of sexual assault include to:

• explain the limits of Coconino County Services’ confidentiality to the victim
• serve as a primary resource for students who report sexual assault
• be on call to a student who has been sexually assaulted, if the student is willing to have them contacted
• serve as a link between students and available resources for aid in the community and on campus
• provide on-site crisis intervention, advocacy, and referrals
• provide an application for crime victim compensation

possibly file an anonymous sexual assault incident report form with the Office of Student Life within 24 hours if this is the first contact made by the student 

The responsibilities of NACASA in instances of sexual assault include:

• contacting a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) to come to the center
• calling in Victim/Witness Services advocates to meet at NACASA/North Country
• allowing the victim to speak with law enforcement if they choose to report
• providing the victim with a medical/forensic exam and treatment by a SANE
• offering clothing and a shower
• offering the victim a meeting with law enforcement for an interview
• reviewing the case with a multi-disciplinary team
• referring to counseling, medical follow-up, and any other needed services

The responsibilities of Flagstaff Medical Center in instances of sexual assault are to:

• explain to the patient and report the incident to a law enforcement agency, as mandated by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Aging, and Adult Administration
• inform the patient of the option to speak to Victim/Witness Services
• offer a medical screening exam and consultation
• discuss the option of a medical/forensic examination
• possibly file an anonymous sexual assault incident report form with the Office of Student Life within 24 hours if this is the first contact made by the Northern Arizona University student provide the patient with referral sources for HIV and STD testing (students and employees of the university are eligible to go to Medical Services)
• encourage the patient to seek individual counseling if the patient is a student at Campus Health Services
• encourage the patient to seek follow-up medical services within four to six weeks at Medical Services or a private provider