If you have experienced sexual assault, stalking, dating or domestic violence, gender or sex based discrimination there are many options for help, and know that we are to assist you.
Overview
If you are danger, call 911 (regardless of whether you are on or off campus). If possible, getting to a safe place can be a good first step as you begin to explore options for support, healing and reporting. There are numerous places on and off campus that can assist you with accessing support resources. You have the choice of who tell about this incident, as well as what resources, support and reporting options you wish to pursue.
In general, your first set of options include:
- Medical Attention and/or Evidence Preservation - Seeking medical attention for an emergency and non-emergency. For more information, see below.
- Confidential Support - Speaking with confidential resources such as on and off-campus professional counselors, medical professionals, community advocates and priests or clergy acting in their sacred confidence role, all of whom can offer complete and legally protected confidentiality. A complete list of such confidential resources can be found in the Harassment & Non-Discrimination Policy.
- Reporting the Incident - Reporting the violence, abuse, harassment, misconduct or retaliation to the University and/or to Law enforcement for inquiry and investigation to stop the behavior, prevent its reoccurrence, address the behavior through administrative and/or criminal justice systems, and seek remedial action.
Reporting options include:
- Criminally through the Spokane Police Department
- Administratively through Gonzaga University Process
- Both through the Criminal and GU Administrative processes
Medical Needs/Evidence Preservation
Individuals may choose to seek medical attention after an assault. Obtaining medical attention can connect you to professionals that can assist you in obtaining a medical examination at no charge, as well as receiving medications to help prevent sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy. All of these services are available whether you choose to report or not. If it is within 72-120 hours (3-6 days) of an incident, individuals can choose to have a have a sexual assault examination performed at a local hospital for evidence collection now that may be used for reporting later (if you are unsure of what options you would like to pursue).
To preserve evidence:
- It is recommended that you do not bathe, shower, douche, eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth, urinate, defecate or change clothes before the exam. Even if you have already taken these actions, you are still able to have prompt medical care.
- Gather bedding, linens or unlaundered clothing and any other pertinent articles that may be used for evidence and secure them in a clean paper bag or clean sheet. In the event of you choosing to file a criminal complaint, securing evidence will assist you in pursuing legal action in the future.
- Do not delete or alter electronic evidence, photographs, texts, emails, social media posts and messages, etc.
Individuals who undergo a sexual assault examination preserve their ability to file a police report and pursue charges, but are not obligated to and may have this evidence collected anonymously and stored for 30 days. Under Washington State Law, the cost of sexual assault examinations is completely covered by local hospitals and free of charge. Additional testing or medication may not be covered. Check with the hospital regarding coverage. The following hospitals are close to the university and have experience in performing sexual assault examinations:
Medical Attention, Evidence Collection, and Local Police
- Deaconess Hospital (24 Hours)
800 W. 5th Avenue
(509) 458-5800
- Sacred Heart Hospital (24 Hours)
101 W. 8th Avenue
(509) 474-3131
- Holy Family Hospital (24 Hours)
5633 Lidgerwood Street
(509) 482-0111
- Spokane Police Department (24 Hours)
1100 W. Mallon Avenue
Crime Check
(509) 456-2233
Emergency
911