Resources for Responding to Violence

The George Washington University will not tolerate violence by any student, group or organization. Although the University cannot prevent all forms of misconduct from occurring, it has designed a resource system for students seeking assistance after an assault has occurred.

Reporting Procedures

• Members of the GW community should report all public safety related incidents to UPD or to Hospital Security Services.

• To report crime or public safety emergency, call UPD (994-6111) or Hospital Security (715-5000). Dispatchers answer calls 24 hours a day. Free on-campus phones are located in lobbies and corridors of most campus buildings.

• In response to call, UPD or Hospital Security will take required action, dispatching an officer or asking a victim to report to UPD to file an incident report. All UPD incident reports are forwarded to the Dean of Students office for review and potential action by the Office of Student Judicial Services.

• If assistance is necessary from Metropolitan Police Department or District of Columbia Fire Department, UPD will contact the appropriate unit.

• If sexual assault or rape should occur, staff on scene, including UPD, will offer the victim a wide variety of services. GW has a Sexual Assault Crisis Consultation Team which has trained members who are available to assist victims 24 hours a day.

• Can be done immediately following incident by calling the emergency number 994-6111. If you decide at a later date to report incident of sexual assault or rape, you can contact University Police at 994-6110.

Anonymous Reporting

• If you are assaulted and do not want to pursue action with the University system or criminal justice system, you may still want to consider making an anonymous report. With your permission, the Director or designee of UPD can file a report on details of the incident without revealing your identity. The purpose of an anonymous report is to comply with your wish to keep the matter confidential, while taking steps to ensure the future safety of yourself and others.

• With such information, the University can keep an accurate record about number of incidents involving students, determine where there is a pattern of assaults with regard to particular location, method, or assailant, and alert the campus community to potential danger.

Guidelines for assistance:

If you have been sexually assaulted

* GET TO A SAFE PLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

* CONTACT THE UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT BY CALLING 202-994-6111 OR THE DC METROPOLITAN POLICE AT 911. ON CAMPUS, THE BLUE LIGHT EMERGENCY PHONES ARE DESIGNED TO CONNECT YOU DIRECTLY WITH THE GW UPD DISPATCHER.

* Get medical attention as soon as possible to make sure you are physically well and to collect important evidence in the event you later wish to take legal action against the perpetrator. (The University Police Department provides transports to the hospital 24 hours a day and can be reached by calling 202-994-6111).

* Consider your option of talking with a counselor, who will maintain confidentiality, help explain your options, give you information, and provide emotional support.

* Contact someone you trust to be with you and support you.

* In the case of a sexual assault or rape, do not wash, use the toilet, or change clothing if you can avoid it. If you do change clothes, preserve all clothes you were wearing at the time of the assault in a paper, not plastic, bag. Try to preserve all physical evidence.

The following resources are also available to you:

The Sexual Assault Crisis Consultation Team

• Members are trained and prepared to assist the survivor of sexual assault or rape, and may be requested to assist by contacting the University Police Department at 202-994-6111.

• Team members do not act as counselors, but provide the survivor with information and resources in order to make informed decisions regarding the incident.

• Team members assist the survivor in identifying her/his medical, legal, counseling, and academic assistance needs and identifying the appropriate campus and/or community services to provide necessary assistance.

• Team members provide follow-up with the survivor to determine if the services have been obtained and have met the survivor’s needs; explain options, such as filing a criminal complaint, review disciplinary options, alternative housing options, and act as an educator about rape and sexual assault.

Counseling and Emotional Support

• The University Counseling Center is located at 2033 K Street, NW, Suite 330 (202-994-6550). Counselors can provide confidential support for you during this difficult period. For emergency counseling services after 5:30p.m. on weekdays, or on weekends, contact the University Police at 202-994-6111.

• Counselors can inform you of typical emotional reactions to assaults and discuss coping methods that may assist you immediately following the assault and later. Talking about your concerns with a counselor in a safe, supportive environment may help you sort through your feelings and decide what to do.

• You do not need to disclose your name if you call the Counseling Center for information. Counselors will not reveal your iden tity to anyone without your permission. Students may be seen on an emergency walk-in basis or by appointment.

• Assistance and support for dealing with personal and academic issues is also available from the Dean of Students Office (M-F, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Rice Hall 401; 202-994-6710).

The D.C. Rape Crisis Center

• Assists survivors by appointment at 202-232-0789, and also provides a confidential hotline (202-333-RAPE) and advocacy service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as well as free short-term individual and group counseling. • Reasons for reporting to UPD are: 1) to take action which may prevent further victimization; 2) to apprehend assailant; 3) to seek justice for wrong that has been done to you; and 4) to have the incident recorded for purposes of reporting statistics about incidents that occurred on campus.

• If you choose to report the incident, a University Police officer will take a statement from you regarding what happened. The officer will ask you to describe assailant(s) and may ask questions about scene of crime, any witnesses, and what happened before and after the incident. You may have a support person with you during the interview.

• NOTE: Reporting an incident is a separate step from choosing to prosecute. When you file a report, you are NOT obligated to continue with legal proceedings or University disciplinary action. Remember, you can choose whether or not to participate in proceedings at any point.

Crime Statistics

• UPD maintains incident files on crimes reported within the campus area.

• It is important to note that, on a monthly basis throughout the school year, Student Judicial Services supplies its statistics regarding reported violations of the Code of Student Conduct to The GW Hatchet.

• Students are also subject to the Code of Student Conduct and may be disciplined for violations of it.

• The security information provided here summarizes the “Pride in Protection & Service” brochure published by the University Police Department. This information is not all inclusive of that document and is not the official compliance document for the institution. For example, crime statistics for the Mount Vernon and Loudoun County campuses are not included in the Planner.

• The “Pride” document is all inclusive and each student should take a look at the document on the UPD Web site at http://gwired.gwu.edu/upd or contact UPD at 2033 G Street or call 994-6948 to have a copy mailed to you.