Reporting with Law Enforcement
Survivors may choose to report with law enforcement. If it is an emergency you should
call 911. If it is a non-emergency, it is important to know that you should report
with the law enforcement agency where the crime occurred. For example, you may live
on-campus, but if the crime committed against you was not on-campus property, you
would not report to UNC PD, but the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the place
the crime occurred (e.g., Greeley PD, Fort Collins PD, Johnstown PD, etc.)
ASAP advocates and UNC Police Officers are always here to answer questions and help
you get connected with the right law enforcement agency.
Survivors are often nervous about getting the process started. It can be overwhelming!
The first step in any law enforcement investigation is an initial report, which is
normally taken by a police officer either at a police station, over the phone, at
the ASAP office or other advocacy agency, or at your residence. Survivors have the
right to choose how this report is taken and who is in the room with them. ASAP advocates
and community-based advocate are available to act as a silent support for any survivor
who wishes that have someone with them when they report. Information provided to UNC
PD will be shared with staff in the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance
and the Office of the Dean of Students so that support and accommodations can be provided
to you, and so that necessary steps can be taken by the institution to help protect
you and the campus community.
After the initial report, there may be follow up conversations and actions taken by
a detective to collect evidence and confirm information. This is when the perpetrator
will be aware there has been a report and will most likely be interviewed by detectives.
As the reporting party of a crime, you have rights to be informed about the investigation
and it's progress. Learn more about your rights.
Survivors should also know that pursuing a criminal case does not commit a prosecuting
attorney to filing a case. Once the investigation is complete, all the investigative
material is turned over to the district attorney and it is their choice on whether
or not charges are filed and the accused is arrested, and the case moves into the
court system.
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Medical Reporting
Survivors also have the option of reporting with a forensic nurse or doctor at the
hospital. A forensic exam has multiple goals. One is to make sure the survivor has
no serious injuries that require medical treatment and to provide preventative measures
like Plan B, antibiotics, or PEP for concerns about unwanted pregnancy or STIs. The
secondary purpose is to collect evidence, document injuries, and to record a survivor
statement. There are several reporting options for survivors when seeking a forensic
exam, which can include law enforcement or the survivor remaining anonymous.
Law Enforcement
Survivors have the option of having law enforcement notified at the time of the forensic
exam and a report will be taken by police. This starts the investigative process.
Medical Reporting
Survivors have the option of giving their statement to the forensic nurse and providing
their name and information. Law enforcement is not called, however the information
is provided to law enforcement and the evidence is stored for up to two years by local
or campus law enforcement. The survivor has the option to make a report with law enforcement
at any time.
Anonymous Reporting
Survivors have the right to remain anonymous and still receive a forensic exam. Evidence
will be collected and a statement will be recorded. Law enforcement will not be called.
All evidence will be stored under an ID number for up to two years by law enforcement.
The survivor has the option to make a report with law enforcement at any time.
Forensic exams have a time limit due to the fact that evidence is viable for certain
windows. Speak with an ASAP advocate to learn more about forensic exams and explore
if one is right for you. ASAP advocates can support survivors by calling the hospital
and alerting the emergency room the on-call forensic nurse is needed. This can help
cut down on wait times for survivors. Advocates are also available to accompany survivors
to the hospital to help them to feel more comfortable.
Most survivors worry about cost to them for a forensic exam. The forensic exam itself
is free. Any preventative medicine prescribed are free. The only cost to survivors
is if they are required to see a doctor due to injuries sustained. There are options
when it comes to using or not using insurance. Please set up an appointment with an
ASAP advocate, to learn more.
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Reporting with the University
UNC community members have the option to report any form of gender-based violence
to the University through the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC).
Unlike reporting with law enforcement, reporting to the University does not prompt
a criminal investigation. OIEC can provide supportive measures, investigate the incident,
identify any policy violations, and make recommendations to remedy the situation.
ASAP advocates are available to outline the different processes available to UNC community
members through the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) and to identify
the differences between the formal and informal process.
If both parties involved are not UNC students, there are still options for students
to receive supportive services from OIEC. The aim is for all survivors to remain students
at UNC and succeed. However, OIEC cannot hold a non UNC community member to the student
code of conduct or UNC policies. ASAP advocate are available to talk through what
supportive measures are available to you or learn more here.
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