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Sexual Violence Awareness, Prevention and Response

Arizona State University is committed to your health, safety and well-being.

While ASU continues to operate in a variety of learning modalities, resources and support are available both virtually and in-person.

Sexual and relationship violence is widespread in society and has a profound impact on individuals and their communities. It takes a community of care to support victims and survivors, and ASU provides a variety of reporting optionsresources and educational programs to prevent sexual misconduct. Learn more about the resources and reporting options by reviewing a summary of the resources or the more extensive Sexual Assault Misconduct Guide.

ASU takes all reports of such conduct seriously and is committed to taking appropriate action to hold violators accountable and to prevent any recurrence. In order to ensure all members of our community have access to health and safety resources should an incident occur, all ASU employees are mandatory reporters and must report allegations of sexual assault/harassment.

We work continuously to improve prevention, response, support and investigation of sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence. By challenging each and every member of our community to take action to prevent this from occurring, we can create a safe and healthy campus environment free of violence.

If an incident of sexual misconduct or relationship violence occurs, options to report the incident, receive confidential support and immediate assistance are available through on-campus and off-campus resources. This website provides more information about the options available.

Devils in the Details: Sexual assault awareness and prevention

Learn more about sexual and relationship violence prevention at ASU and some of the resources available to you.

Reporting and support options if you or a friend have experienced sexual violence

Some potential next steps are briefly discussed below. To further explore these next steps, visit our Where Do I Start? webpage.

Your safety is always the number one priority. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Find somewhere that is safe for you. Reach out to trusted and supportive family or friends, ASU Victim-Survivor ServicesStudent Advocacy and Assistance or any resource that supports survivors. In situations of Domestic or Relationship Violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides resources on how to create a safety plan.

Filing a police report does not obligate a victim to press charges against the assailant. A report to ASU or local police begins with an initial interview. An investigation includes a forensic exam, witness statement and evidence collection. Prosecution includes a preliminary hearing, court date and verdict. The ASU Victim Advocate can provide confidential support, resources, and explain reporting options.

Preserving evidence, even if you are unsure you want to report or press criminal charges, may assist in proving that the offense occurred or may be helpful in obtaining a protective order. Evidence may include the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault or incident, bed linens, phone calls or text messages, and other items that were with or around you during the assault. Clothing and linens should be stored in a brown paper bag. DNA evidence is also important to preserve, and can be collected during a medical forensic exam. Visit RAINN for more information on the importance of DNA evidence.

Victims of sexual violence have the right to a medical forensic exam, at no cost to them, regardless of whether they report to law enforcement. A forensic exam is a comprehensive medical exam provided by a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician with specialized training in the medical care and treatment of sexual and domestic violence victims. Each part of the exam requires your consent and you do not have to participate in anything that makes you uncomfortable.

In Maricopa County, HonorHealth Forensic Nurse Examiner Program conducts medical forensic exams at Family Advocacy Centers (FACs) located in Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, and Downtown Phoenix, near ASU’s campuses. When reporting to law enforcement, the exam will be scheduled on your behalf and you will be transported to the FAC. If you do not wish to report to law enforcement and live in Maricopa county, you can call HonorHealth at 480-312-6339 (available 24/7) and enter a call back number. A nurse will call you back soon after. If you reside in Arizona but do not live in Maricopa County, review the list of Medical Forensic Exam Facilities in Arizona.

ASU Health Services does not provide medical forensic examinations.

View the Medical Forensic Exam Resource Guide for more information.

Incidents that include only students are reported to ASU Student Rights and Responsibilities. The investigation process includes interviews and a collection of relevant evidence. Both parties are notified of investigation results which includes responsibility and sanctions. Student Advocacy and Assistance will provide additional support services during the investigation. Any incidents that include faculty or staff are reported to the Office of University Rights and Responsibilities. *Note: Reporting to ASU Student Rights and Responsibilities or the Office of University Rights and Responsibilities can be done in addition to reporting to the police for criminal prosecution. Please review the Sexual Violence Response Flowchart for more information on reporting options if sexual violence has occurred. 

For your health and protection, it is important to be examined by a medical professional for possible injuries, sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy. If you choose to have a medical forensic exam, the nurses will identify and treat any possible injuries, can offer prophylaxis to prevent some Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV prevention, and may offer medication to prevent pregnancy if applicable. However, it is important to follow-up with ASU Health Services, your Primary Care Physician, or other specialist for pregnancy testing, STI testing, and other medical concerns and needs.

Sexual violence is a complex and painful experience that impacts each victim/survivor in different ways. You may wish to seek confidential support on campus or in the community to discuss what steps you would like to take next or how to heal from the experience.

Not sure where to go or who to report to?  You can always contact the Title IX Coordinator at TitleIXCoordinator@asu.edu, 480-965-0696 or on the Title IX website.

If you are concerned that a family member, friend or fellow Sun Devil may be experiencing sexual violence or is in an abusive relationship, respond with support. It can be difficult to support someone through these experiences, but by listening to them and validating their experience you can help them begin to define their own healing process. To learn more about how to offer support, visit our Providing Support webpage.

Message from the President 

 

Sexual misconduct, including sexual violence, is a national problem, and college and university campuses certainly have not been immune.

National surveys report that one in five undergraduate women and one in sixteen undergraduate men experience attempted or completed sexual assault while in college. Such violence has a profound impact on a victim’s academic, social, and personal life, and negatively affects the experiences of their friends and families, other students, and the university community at large.

Arizona State University is committed to combatting this complex social problem and fostering a positive learning, working and living environment that promotes every individual’s ability to participate fully in the ASU experience without fear of sexual violence or sexual harassment. Through university policies, awareness efforts, education and training programs, and advocacy, every member of the ASU community should be prepared to actively contribute to a culture of respect and to keep our community free from sexual violence, harassment, exploitation and intimidation.

Cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct that are reported at ASU are fully investigated. ASU provides victims with resources that let them know they are not alone, including guidance on finding a safe place, filing a police report, speaking with counselors and seeking medical care.

We are wholly focused on strengthening our knowledge and consciousness about this issue, making enhancements to support services and resources for victims, and enhancing partnerships with key organizations and agencies working to end sexual violence. We are dedicated to sexual violence prevention and the overall safety of all who study, live, work and recreate at ASU.

We must all strive to build a culture of respect in which every member of the Sun Devil family feels free from the threat of sexual violence.

Michael M. Crow, President
Arizona State University

 

Resource Contact Information

 

For Emergencies call 9-1-1

ASU Police Department
480-965-3456
Help is available 24/7

ASU Counseling Services (students)
Confidential
480-965-6146

ASU Health Services
Confidential
480-965-3349

Employee Assistance Office
(Employees)
Confidential
480-965-2271

Crisis Support is available 24/7 by contacting

EMPACT Hotline (students)
Confidential
480-921-1006

Behavioral Health Crisis Line (employees)
Confidential
602-222-9444

RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline (National)
Confidential
1-800-656-HOPE(4673)

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Confidential
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Confidential
1-800-273-8255

Family Advocacy Centers (FAC) Medical Forensic Exams
In Maricopa County, HonorHealth Forensic Nurse Examiner Program conducts medical forensic exams at Family Advocacy Centers (FACs) located in Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, and Downtown Phoenix, near ASU’s campuses. When reporting to law enforcement, the exam will be scheduled on your behalf and you will be transported to the FAC. If you do not wish to report to law enforcement and live in Maricopa county, you can call HonorHealth at 480-312-6339 (available 24/7) and enter a call back number. A nurse will call you back soon after. If you reside in Arizona but do not live in Maricopa County, review the list of Medical Forensic Exam Facilities in Arizona.

Family Advocacy Center Information is listed below. Please note that these centers typically operate from 8am-5pm and should be contacted prior to visiting. All FACs have a law enforcement presence. While the FAC staff may provide you with additional resources or connect you to law enforcement for reporting, the best way to have a medical forensic exam done is to follow the information listed above.

Mesa Center Against Family Violence
225 E. 1st St, Mesa, AZ 8520
480-644-4075

Phoenix Family Advocacy Center
2120 N Central Ave #250, Phoenix, AZ
85004-1453
602-534-2120

Scottsdale Family Advocacy Center
10225 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480-312-6340

Glendale Family Advocacy Center
6830 N 57th Dr, Glendale, AZ 85301
623-930-3720