If you're sexually assaulted ...

Part Two of a four-part series exploring the culture, law and science surrounding sexual assaults and how they're handled at the University of Montana and nationwide. Part one evaluates why campus sex crimes have garnered growing public attention and why some colleges are reevaluating their policies.

ON-CAMPUS CONTACTS

Public Safety

Emergency: 243-4000

Main line: 243-6131

• Responds to a reported attack to make the scene safe. Interviews the caller, witnesses, any perpetrators who are present, and the survivor to build a formal incident report.
• If the survivor chooses to press charges, an investigator will gather material for a case and speak with a prosecutor about pursuing it.
• Annually compiles statistics (without any personally identifiable information) on the number of reported cases, even if charges were not filed, as mandated by the federal Clery Act.

Title IX

Lucy France

Main Hall 020

243-5710

• Must disclose to the Office of Public Safety all verified offenses, but must not disclose the name of the survivor without the survivor's consent.
• Confidentially helps survivors file formal, internal complaints against students, staff or faculty for Title IX violations. Sexual assault is considered a crime of discrimination under federal law.
• At the survivor's request, can testify in court proceedings about France's investigation and the University's internal case once it's concluded.
• Can help students decide how best to proceed after an attack and refer them to community resources.

Dean of Students

Charles Couture

Main Hall 022

243-6413

• Must disclose to the Office of Public Safety all verified offenses, but must not disclose the name of the survivor without the survivor's consent.
• Helps survivors file formal, confidential complaints against students for violating the Student Conduct Code.
• Oversees the confidential proceedings of student conduct code cases and enforces punishments at their conclusion.
• Can help students decide how best to proceed after an attack and refer them to community resources.

UM employee

coach, professor, residence life

• All UM officials, except those working as a professional counselor, must disclose to the Office of Public Safety all verified offenses reported to them, but must not disclose the name of the survivor without the survivor's consent. UM is currently reviewing this procedure.
• UM policy outlines guidelines for staff and faculty to respectfully respond to victims, including referring them to SARC.

   

Curry Health Center

Main line: 243-2122

Counseling: 243-4711

• Confidential, protected by federal health care privacy laws.
• Provides medical care 24/7 (except during University holiday breaks).
• Collaborates with SARC and staff counselors to provide wholistic care to the survivor if he or she chooses their assistance.
• Links survivors to First STEP Resource Center if they choose to complete a rape kit. These kits can be saved for up to a year while the survivor decides whether to file formal charges.
• If a survivor asks to report their assault, Curry brings in a SARC advocate to counsel the victim on how to proceed.
• Can connect a victim to counseling through Curry services or local support groups.

SARC

(Student Assault Resource Center)

Curry Health Center, Room 108

24/7 crisis line: 243-6559

• Confidential, protected by federal health care privacy laws.
• Provides direct support for survivors and their friends or family through a crisis line and drop-in center and links victims to other Missoula resources.
• Offers crisis counseling, referrals and educational resources as well as an advocate, or support person, to help them navigate support services or file a formal complaint.
• Acts as an academic advocate to help student survivors who miss classes or assignments.
• Organizes on-campus support groups.
• Provides prevention and educational outreach.
• Annually compiles statistics (without any personally identifiable information) on the number of reported cases, even if charges were not filed, as mandated by the federal Clery Act.

OFF-CAMPUS CONTACTS

First STEP

at St. Patrick's Hospital

329-5776

• Confidential, protected by federal health care privacy laws.
• Completes drug tests at no cost to students.
• Collects rape kits, which can be saved for up to a year while the survivor decides whether to file formal charges.
• Provides treatment, education and prevention.

YWCA

24/7 crisis line: 542-1944

• Offers walk-in counseling and support for survivors.
• Provides emergency shelter to survivors and their children.
• Organizes support groups.
• Assists with medical and legal referrals.
• Provides prevention and educational outreach.

County Crime Advocate Office