|
Campus Locations
Where is the Virginia Tech Women's Center located?
The Women's Center is located behind McBryde Hall in Price House. It is the larger of the 2 houses.
Where is the Office of Judicial Affairs located?
The Office of Judicial Affairs is located in 108 Dietrick (on the opposite side of Deet's Place).
Reporting an incident
What if I want someone to know this happened but I don't want to make an official report?
At Virginia Tech you have the option of making an anonymous police report to the VT police department through this site.
Who is going to find out? Will my parents find out?
All services are confidential. No one can share information about you with your parents, family, or friends without your permission. All information about you is protected by Federal law. With your consent, information may be shared with others within Virginia Tech (such as professors or student services professionals) in order to secure academic relief or other support services.
What will happen if I go to the police?
Reporting an assault to the police is your choice. There is no requirement that you repot the assault to the police. You may have mixed feelings about whether or not to report. You may feel torn about not wanting to do anything and wanting to hold this person responsible so that he/she does not hurt you or anyone else again. Going to the police can be intimidating. You have the option of having an advocate from the Virginia Tech Women's Center or the Women's Resource Center go with you. If you choose to report to the police, an officer will want to sit with you and ask detailed questions about what, where, when, and how the incident occurred. Many of these questions may be hard to answer and may feel invasive. The police officer will be trying to get as much information so that he/she can thoroughly investigate the case. If the assault occurred within the past 72 hours the police will want you to have a Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK) exam done at the hospital. The police will also interview any other witnesses and this often includes the perpetrator. Once the police have investigated the case he/she will present the evidence to the Commonwealth Attorney who will then decide if there is enough evidence to go to court.
Sexual assault & "date-rape drugs"
Who do "date-rape drugs" affect?
These drugs affect both men and women. Men can drug women; women can drug men; women can drug women; and men can drug men.
Why would someone use "date-rape drugs" aside from wanting to sexually assault another?
Several of these drugs are used recreationally, which makes them very dangerous. Men/women will use these drugs on friends as a joke or to drug another to get to a different person.
Can someone die from taking the "date-rape drugs"?
It depends on the dosage, but in several of these, yes a person can die from taking too much of a particular drug.
Getting help & giving support
How much will it cost me if I go to the hospital or talk to a counselor?
Many medical and support services are available to you free of charge. For those that have a fee there are financial resources available. If you are concerned about cost and need financial assistance contact the VT Women's Center or the Women's Resource Center. Don't let cost stop you from getting the support you need.
If I seek counseling or support from the Women's Center, Women's Resource Center, Cook Counseling Center, or Judicial Affairs, will the police be contacted?
The Women's Center services are confidential. The Women's Center provides advocacy and support whether a person chooses to report to the police or not. It is your choice to contact the police, and if that is the case, the Women's Center can arrange a meeting for you with the police.
How will I get my work done?
If you are concerned about academic assignments, papers, or exams you may need some assistance in getting some academic relief. Contact the VT Women's Center (231-7806).
How can I help a friend who was sexually assaulted?
If I decide to file a judicial referral with the Office of Judicial Affairs...
How do I make a referral?
To make a referral to Judicial Affairs, simply write or type a statement of the alleged incident, sign and date it and mail or deliver it to Judicial Affairs. Be sure to include the name of the student you are charging (or as much of the name as you know and any other identifying information) on the referral.
What happens after I turn in the referral?
The Office of Judicial Affairs will read the referral, assign charges and in some cases, set up separate pre-hearing conferences with you and the charged student(s). After that meeting, the date and time for the hearing will be determined. We will make every effort to accommodate all students' academic schedules when setting the hearing time.
Do I have to see the student that I am bringing charges against?
In most cases, yes. It is the right of the charged student to confront their accuser. Your statements, witnesses and questions of the charged student give the hearing officer more information to make a fair and informed decision. However, the charged student may not question you directly during the hearing. If you are concerned about your safety, contact the Office of Judicial Affairs and we will require the charged student to have no contact with you from the time you make the referral until after the outcome of the hearing.
Is there a limit on how long I have to make a referral?
A referral should be made as quickly as possible. However, the case can be heard as long as the charged student is still a student at the time the referral is brought forward.
How can I prepare for the judicial hearing?
|
