Reporting Options & Descriptions | Online Notification Form
A person who has experienced, or is aware of, a sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking is urged to make an official report to the Police, the Office of Judicial Affairs, and/or the Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs. If the assailant is an employee you may contact Human Resources or the Sexual Harrassment Policy Office. Informal (non disciplinary) and anonymous reporting options are also listed below. Whether or not you choose to make an official report, you are strongly urged to seek the appropriate help...
- to ensure your safety
- to begin your healing process
- and to obtain any necessary academic or work related accommodations.
All of these important considerations pertain whether you have survived a sexual assault or know someone who has. Sexual violence can be a traumatic experience for everyone involved.
If you do not want to make an official report at this time please feel out a University Notification Form (for statistical purposes only - you may remain annonymous and no action will be taken). |
Reporting Options & Descriptions
The following chart is a guide to the various reporting options available. More detailed descriptions of services and how each office responds to reports are listed below.
If you need further clarity as to your reporting options and which may be right for you, please contact the YWCA 24-hour confidential hotline at (650) 725-9955. The YWCA works on an empowerment model and will not take any action or notify any University official without your expressed request and permission.
* Yes/Optional/No are typical characteristics of the above reporting options, but there can be exceptions / caveats.
Ex: A confidential consultation with Judicial Affairs will not lead to a university disciplinary investigation until the victim/survivor chooses to do so through filing a formal complaint. Even then, the victim/survivor may choose to withdraw the complaint at any time. However, information based on that report will be entered confidentially for mandatory reporting statistics based on the Clery Act.
Benefits of Reporting
- Seeking justice (through the student or employee judicial disciplinary process and/or the criminal justice system)
- Seeking protection (physical safety, emotional security, and/or academic and workplace accommodations)
- Knowing when, where and under what circumstances sexual assaults take place will enhance the effectiveness of the University's education and prevention efforts.
The following are a list of reporting resources. Click on each title to find more information about each reporting resource to see which resources are right for you.
YWCA Sexual Assault Center
(650) 725-9955 (24 hours)
Vaden Health Center, 1st Floor
http://svab.stanford.edu/ywca.shtml
A confidential place to explore the range of options available to you as you deal with the experience of having been raped or otherwise sexually assaulted. You are not actually making a report when you call the YWCA hotline. Rather, you will be told of your reporting options (and what is involved with each process) should you wish to report. By request, the YWCA can help coordinate services with campus and community resources. The YWCA Sexual Assault Center at Stanford helps Stanford students, faculty and staff to minimize the traumatic aftermath of sexual assault by providing a 24-hour crisis hotline, immediate crisis counseling and assistance, information and referrals, and accompaniment services to medical, police, court facilities and the judicial affairs process. The YWCA also provides services and counseling for friends and relatives of survivors.
As noted above, the YWCA works on an empowerment model and will not take any action or notify any University official without your expressed request and permission.
What will happen?
It's up to you. The 24-hour hotline is staffed by trained volunteer advocates that provide immediate counseling and resources. They can connect you to professional staff member and/or schedule an on-campus confidential appointment.
Advantages:
Due to their experience in responding to all types of sexual assault and sexual violence the advantages are numerous. However, the most important is that you are 100% in control of everything that happens.
Click here for alternative
Rape/Domestic Violence Crisis Hotlines.
Stanford Police - Official Report
(650)723-9633 or 9-1-1
711 Serra St (across from the campus gas station)
http://police.stanford.edu
If you contact the police, you may choose to fill out either an Official Criminal Report to press charges against the offender, or to make an Informational Report.
Option A: Official Criminal Report
A police report must be made before a criminal prosecution can be considered by the local District Attorney’s Office. The chances of a successful prosecution are greater if the report to the police is timely and is supported by the collection of medical-legal evidence. If you contact the police and provide the name of the assailant or sufficient information for them to identify that person the police will initiate an official criminal investigation. You can ask for a male or female officer if you have a preference.
You have the right to have a free legal advocate with you when you talk to the police – you can contact the YWCA on your own or the police can make that call for you.
- For sexual assault that occurs on the Stanford campus, contact the Stanford Police
at 723-9633 or 9-911.
- For an off-campus incident, call 911 or the local police jurisdiction:
| Palo Alto: (650) 470-1258 |
East Palo Alto: (650) 321-1112 |
| Los Altos: (650) 947-2779 |
Los Altos Hills: (408) 299-3233 |
| Menlo Park: (650) 325-4424 |
Millbrae: (650) 697-1212 |
| Mountain View: (650) 903-6922 |
Redwood City: (650) 369-3333 |
| San Carlos: (650) 592-2222 | |
What will happen?
The police will follow their normal protocol to initiate a criminal investigation. You can request that the process be stopped at any time but the police department has certain legal obligations once they are aware of and have evidence that a crime has been committed. You should discuss your options with the YWCA, an attorney and/or the police department before deciding whether to file an official criminal report or an information report (described below) with the police department.
Advantages:
You can help bring a criminal offender to justice. Holding someone accountable for their crime is key to future prevention.
Stanford Police - Informational Report
(650)723-9633 or 9-1-1
711 Serra St (across from the campus gas station)
http://police.stanford.edu
Option B: Informational or Informal Report to Police
To file an informational report with the police without initiating a criminal investigation (in order to obtain a medical-forensic exam within the first 72 hours and/or to have an official record of the incident), it is important that you tell the police that is your goal and that at this time you only wish to file an informational report. If you give the police the offenders name or sufficient information for them to determine who committed the crime they will be obligated (as noted above) to initiate a criminal investigation. Additionally, if you do not wish to provide your name, you can anonymously report an incident of sexual assault to the Stanford police.
What will happen?
If you file an informational report with the police (and do not provide the name of the assailant) they will record your statement but will not launch an investigation. You will be eligible for a forensic-medical exam (no cost to you) and if you later choose to initiate an official police report they can use the information you provided at this time. As the victim you have a right to a copy of the informational report. The police department cannot release that report to anyone. However, as the victim, you have a right to have it. You may, for example, request a copy of that report and provide it to the Office of Judicial Affairs if you ultimately choose to file a complaint against a Stanford student for violating the Fundamental Standard.
Advantages:
This option allows you to document what happened to you as soon as possible. The report will be written by a trained officer. The biggest advantage is that it helps you to retain your options without launching an official police investigation. If you do this within the first 72 hours of the incident you can get a forensic-medical exam (a valuable source of evidence). You can later choose to have the informational report launch either an official police investigation or a Judicial Affairs investigation. It demonstrates that you believe a crime occurred and records details and memories that may elude you later.
University Anonymous Notification
http://clery.stanford.edu
Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs
(650) 723-2733
In all cases, we urge you (even anonymously) to notify the University about any incident of sexual violence and/or assault. You can do this by filling out the on-line notification report (you can submit it on line or mail a hardcopy) and students may also contact the Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs at 723-2733. You may provide as much or little information as you would like. You may remain anonymous and you are not required to provide the name of the other party involved. This report will not initiate either a police or Judicial Affairs investigation but will be used for central statistical reporting and to ensure campus safety.
University notifications may be made regardless of the location and/or date of the incident.
What will happen?
On-line reports and University Notifications will be collected for statistical information only and in compliance with the
Clery Act. If requested, University officials will direct you to appropriate resources and/or offer other (more formal) reporting options.
Advantages:
In order for the University to help protect its community, notification is critical. If you file a University Notification you are part of the solution to eradicate sexual violence on our campus without requiring further action on your part.
If you wish to fill out an University Notification to provide information that will help track Stanford’s response to the incident, we have two procedures based upon your Stanford affiliation.
Please note: The following form is for informational and tracking purposes only. It is not to take the place of filing an actual report with the proper authorities.
To provide security and anonymity for the victim/survivor of the incident, we have a secure online form for Stanford affiliates only.
If you are not affiliated with Stanford, please click here for a downloadable form that can be printed out. Please send the completed form to:
Dr. Laurel Zappert
Counseling and Psychological Services
Vaden Health Center
866 Campus Drive
Stanford, CA 94305-8580
Phone: (650)723-3785
Fax: (650)725-2887
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Office of Judicial Affairs
(650)725-2485
Tresidder Union, 2nd Flr, 459 Lagunita Drive, Suite 9
http://judicialaffairs.stanford.edu
Sexual assault is a violation of the Fundamental Standard. If the assailant is a Stanford student you may file a complaint with the Office of Judicial Affairs. It is important to know that the Student Judicial Charter of 1997 requires that the Judicial Officer files a charge (this is not your complaint but the charge issued at the end of the investigation) be issued within 6 months of the date of the incident or when it should have reasonably been discovered. Consulting with the Office of Judicial Affairs does not obligate you to file a complaint and does not initiate an investigation.
Information about the judicial affairs process (http://www.stanford.edu/dept/vpsa/judicialaffairs/students/complaint.reporting.htm) and the rights of the reporting party (http://www.stanford.edu/dept/vpsa/judicialaffairs/judicialprocess/victimsrights.htm) can be found on the judicial affairs website.
What will happen?
Nothing will happen until you, or someone on your behalf, has officially filed a formal letter of complaint. If you call the office for a confidential consultation a Judicial Advisor will explain your options and describe exactly what would happen if you file a complaint. This explanation includes a description of your rights, the rights of the responding student, and hearing accommodations available (to make you more comfortable and to eliminate direct contact between you and the assailant). The Judicial Advisor can also help connect you with other resources on campus and make recommendations to help your judicial affairs case have the best chance of being successful.
If the student is found responsible you will be given the opportunity to present an Impact Statement and comment on what you believe the appropriate sanction/penalty should be. The Penalty Code gives a panel options ranging from probation and community service to a suspension or expulsion. Click here to see the entire Penalty Code.
Advantages:
Judicial Panels do not have to prove the criminal elements of rape and they will evaluate any form of assault or sexual/relationship violence. A Panel will determine if there was sexual misconduct that violated the Fundamental Standard. In other words, did the actions "show respect for order, morality, personal honor and the rights of others as demanded of good citizens"?
The Judicial Affairs process is less time-consuming then the criminal justice system and attorneys are not allowed to speak at judicial panel hearings.
You may withdraw your complaint at anytime.
Office of the Ombuds
(650) 723-3682 (M-F, 8-5)
Building 310 - Room 104
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/ombuds/
The Office of the Ombuds provides information about University policies and refers you to other university services and programs. The Ombuds is an impartial dispute resolver who strives to see that faculty, staff and students at the university are treated fairly and equitably. Any Stanford faculty, student or staff can seek the advice of the Ombuds Office. The Ombuds is impartial, neutral, and confidential.
What will happen?
The Ombuds will listen to your needs and will not initiate any investigation.
Advantages:
The Ombuds is aware of relevant university policies and will put you in touch with the resources you need to fit your situation. The Ombuds is a great place to turn if you are not sure who to contact within the university.
Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs
(650)723-9929
Tressider Union, 2nd Flr, Student Life Office, 459 Lagunita Drive, Ste 9
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/vpsa/
The Associate Vice Provost is the University’s official designated campus security authority. This option is available to anyone who does not feel comfortable with any of the other listed options and/or if you are not satisfied with any another University response/service.
What will happen?
The Associate Vice Provost will note any information provided for statistical purposes and general awareness of campus security issues. The AVP will make you aware of your other reporting options and provide you with other campus resources. She will follow up on any specific requests you make and/or concerns that you raise.
Advantages:
This is most similar to the University Notification option above but allows you to have a face to face interactive conversation with someone. You can discuss your needs and your requests with the AVP and make sure you understand what will happen before making any decisions.
Human Resources
(650)723-1743
651 Serra St., Ste. 220
http://hrweb.stanford.edu
Campus (650) 723-1743
School of Medicine (650) 725-8607
SLAC (650) 926-2358
In order to make a report against a faculty or staff member, and/or if you a faculty or staff member who needs assistance, please contact one of the above Human Resource Offices.
What will happen?
The action they take will be dependent on the circumstances. If you are unsure if you want to make a report to Human Resources you are encouraged to consult with the Ombuds (725-3682). The Ombuds is a completely confidential resource and will not initiate an investigation.
Advantages:
You can obtain workplace accommodations and allow disciplinary action to be taken against an employee who is found to have violated University policy. You may do this independent of or in connection with criminal prosecution.
Sexual Harassment Policy Office
(650)724-2120
Mariposa House, 2nd Flr, 585 Capistrano Way, Rm. 209
http://sexharass.stanford.edu
In some cases, sexual assault also may constitute sexual harassment. You may consult this office and/or a sexual harassment policy adviser in order to discuss your options.
What will happen?
The action they take will be dependent on the circumstances. Their goal is stop harassing behavior and take corrective action when appropriate.
Advantages:
Creates a formal university record without the disadvantages of taking legal/criminal action. Will allow for you to obtain workplace accommodations (if appropriate) and to allow the University to direct an individual or department to go through educational training.
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