Procedures for Victims

Immediate Action: The student is encouraged to discuss the assault confidentially with the Pacific Student Victim Advocate or a therapist from Counseling Services. The student may also consider seeking assistance and support from someone he or she trusts, such as a friend, coach, faculty member, or other University staff member; however, these individuals are not confidential resources and are required to report the incident as required by the Clery Act. For emergency assistance, the student may contact: <ul> <li>Pacific Student Victim Advocate 209.403.0250</li> <li>Counseling Services 209.946.2315 ext.2</li> <li>Residence Director on Call 209.401.9854</li> <li>Department of Public Safety 209.946.3911</li> <li>Women's Center of San Joaquin County 209.465.4997. The Women's Center of San Joaquin County, which serves males as well as females, has a 24-hour rape crisis advocate who can offer assistance.</li> </ul> Medical Attention: The student should seek immediate medical attention at San Joaquin County General Hospital (209.468.6000) within 72 hours of the assault. The medical exam includes checking for injuries, screening for sexually transmitted infections, gathering evidence, providing medications with follow-up care, and preserving a legal chain of command of the evidence.  Evidence collected during the exam will be preserved in the event the student decides at a later point to press charges. Filing a police report at the hospital will ensure the student is not charged for any treatment. The student may ask for an advocate (both are confidential) from either the Women's Center of San Joaquin County (209.465.4997) or the University's Victim Advocate (209.403.0250) to offer support at the hospital. Cowell Wellness Center is available to provide follow-up non-evidentiary medical tests and medications (209.946.2315 ext. 1). Preserving Evidence: Students should attempt to preserve evidence at the scene in the following ways: leave the scene undisturbed to allow professionals to collect the evidence; if not able to leave the scene undisturbed the student may collect bedding and/or other loose fabrics in the immediate area of the assault which should be stored in a paper bag (not plastic); for evidence; if a prophylactic device of any type was used and remains at the scene of the incident, the student should attempt to retrieve it and/or any other debris and preserve it in a paper bag, do not bathe, urinate, douche, brush her/his teeth, drink liquids, or change clothing before seeking medical attention at a hospital; if the student has already changed clothes, she/he should bring all the original clothing to the hospital in a paper bag; all evidentiary materials should be placed in separate paper bags to prevent cross contamination of evidence. Plastic bags damage evidence.