Health & Counseling Services

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Health Center

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Office of Sexual Assault Prevention

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The Evergreen State College will not tolerate sexual misconduct, including rape, sexual harassment or sexual assault.

Sexual misconduct can include any form of actual or attempted sexual activity perpetrated upon a person without that person's consent. Sexual assault includes any sexual activity involving someone who did not or could not (due to age or incapacitation) give consent. 

This includes both sexual behavior coerced through physical or verbal threats, force or other forms of manipulation and sexual behavior when one person cannot give consent due to incapacitation.

Such activities are against the law and are a direct violation of the College's Student Conduct Code. When violations are believed to have occurred, disciplinary action and/or criminal action can be pursued.

There is nothing "sexual" about Sexual Violence for the victim, and often nothing for the perpetrator either. Sexual Assault is about power and control, not sex. It is about the subjugation of someone who is being targeted for a specific association, identity, or power differential. It is a violent and humiliating assault which is acted out in a sexual way. Sexual violence is often a feature of other bias-based crimes and it disproportionately affects transgender folks, Native Americans, women, children and youth, lesbian, gay, bisexual individuals, African Americans, people with disabilities, and many other historically marginalized communities.

Three out of four incidents of sexual violence are perpetrated by someone known to the victim. For more information on starting safe and healthy relationships, please click here.

The Evergreen State College is committed to providing students with an environment conducive to the pursuit of knowledge. Admission to the College carries with it the presumption that students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the community and refrain from actions that would endanger the health, welfare, or safety of others. Conduct constituting sexual violence, such as rape, sexual or physical assault, stalking or sexual harassment, will not be tolerated. Students who commit sexual offenses of any form can be prosecuted under Washington State Criminal Code (RCW Chapter 9A) and/or disciplined under the College’s Student Conduct Code (WAC174-120) and/or Sexual Harassment Policy.

If you have experienced a sexual assault

The following information offers suggestions and options if you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted. Rape will be referred to as sexual assault throughout this document.  

  • If you are in danger, call 911 immediately. From a campus phone: 9-911.
  • Call the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention at 360-867-5221 to speak with an advocate:or
  • Call Safeplace 24 hr. crisis/advocacy line: 360-754-6300
  • Call the Coalition Against Sexual Violence student group at 360-867-6749

Immediately after an assault, it is most important that the victim find a safe place, such as a neighbor or friend’s housing, a police station, or hospital. If the assault occurred in the residence, the residence should be secured as soon as possible by locking all the doors and windows.

If a survivor is hurt, it is imperative to either immediately dial 911 to request an ambulance or have a trusted friend or relative transport the survivor to the nearest medical facility for evaluation and treatment.

Medical Options:

No matter your gender or gender identity, sexual assault is a trauma. The trauma of sexual assault involves losing control of your own body and possibly fearing death or injury. Physical and emotional health can both be affected by sexual assault therefore it is important to be checked for physical injuries, sexually transmitted infections, HIV and pregnancy. 

In spite of a strong and natural desire to clean up, in the interest of evidence preservation, it is best that you do not do so.  If you proceed with medical attention, it is suggested that you do not do the following:

  • Shower, bathe, or use hygiene products;
  • Throw away any clothes that were worn at the time of the assault - if you wish to change clothes put all items worn during assault in a brown paper bag to preserve evidence, (Avoid using a plastic bag as it can destroy chemical composition needed for testing);
  • Brush or comb hair;
  • Use the restroom;
  • Clean or straighten up the crime scene;
  • Eat or drink anything.

For accurate testing results, it is important to get a sexual assault exam within 96 hours; the sooner the better. If you think you have been drugged with any drug, you will need to tell the hospital this so that they can test for these drugs.

While College Health Services can provide STI, HIV and pregnancy testing, they do not offer Sexual Assault Exams.

If you would like the College's assistance in accessing a Sexual Assault Exam, Health Services will contact The Office of Sexual Assault Prevention to assist in providing transportation to St. Peter’s Hospital or you may contact the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention directly. St. Peter’s has trained Sexual Assault Exam Nurses on staff 24/7 to provide victim sensitive services. For more information about a Sexual Assault exam, please click here.

ARRIVING AT THE HOSPITAL:

Upon arrival at St. Peter’s Hospital, the emergency room staff will work with any survivor to ensure the best possible care during a hospital visit. An advocate from our local community Sexual Assault Service agency:Safeplace, will be called to support you.

State law requires the Crime Victims' Compensation program to pay the costs of sexual-assault examinations whether a crime is reported or not. A sexual-assault victim does not need to file a claim with the Crime Victims' Compensation program to be eligible for this benefit.

St. Peter’s Hospital maintains a Jane Doe reporting option which allows survivors to have a complete Rape Kit without informing law enforcement.

If you decide to file a police report later and have not had a rape exam to collect evidence, it may be very difficult to convict your assailant. If you are 18 or older, the results of your rape exam will not be released to the police without your written consent. If you are under 18, the hospital is required by law to report that a rape has occurred. It is your choice whether or not you answer the questions the police ask you. However, without your cooperation, it is highly unlikely that the case will be prosecuted.

What is Consent? What isn't?

Consent is:  freely and affirmatively communicated willingness to participate in sexual activity, expressed by clear, unambiguous words or actions. It is the responsibility of the initiator of the sexual activity to ensure that they have the other person’s consent to engage in sexual activity. Consent must be present throughout the sexual activity by all parties involved. At any time, a participant can communicate that they no longer consent to continuing the sexual activity. Consent may never be obtained through the use of force, coercion, or intimidation or if the victim is mentally or physically incapacitated- including through the use of drugs or alcohol.

Consent may NOT be assumed because of the existence of a previous dating or sexual relationship. The use of alcohol or drugs does not diminish a student’s responsibility to obtain consent for sexual activity.

Legal and Campus Reporting Options

The decision to report a sexual assault lies within the discretion of the survivor.

If a survivor wishes to access services, but is unsure of whether they would like to lodge a criminal or campus report, they may contact the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention at 360-867-5221. O.S.A.P will explain both the legal and campus reporting options and support you should you wish to pursue either or both. 

Even if you decide that you don’t want to contact the police or are unsure what you want to do, call to discuss your options. The coordinator will provide support and assistance with making choices and seeking help.

If for some reason you cannot reach the Office, call Safeplace's, 24/hour line to speak with a professional advocate in the community: 360-754-6300.

Legal Reporting Options

If you would like to report a sexual assault, contact the police or sheriff’s department for the jurisdiction where the assault occurred. If the assault occurred on campus, contact Campus Police Services.

Contact information for local and campus departments:

  • Campus Police Services - Seminar 2150, 867-6140 An officer taking a report will thoroughly investigate the allegations and depending on the outcome, will make an arrest and/or forward the information to the Thurston County Prosecutor. The officer will notify the Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator as soon as possible. The coordinator will ask if you wish to have a professional advocate present during evidentiary questioning and for on-going support. If the accused is identified, a report will be filed with the Thurston County Sheriff’s office. When a campus police report is filed, the Grievance Officer is notified and will meet with you to discuss your grievance options if you wish.
  • Thurston County Sheriff - Courthouse Complex, Building 3: Call 911 or 786-5500 if the assault happens off-campus within the county.
  • Lacey Police Department, 420 College SE: Call 911 or 459-4333
  • Olympia Police Department, 900 Plum Street SE: Call 911 or 753-8300 if the assault happens off-campus in the city.
  • Tumwater Police Department, 555 Israel Rd SE: Call 911 or 754-4200.

Campus Reporting Options and Process

Survivors of sexual assault are strongly encouraged to use both the campus grievance process, sexual harassment complaint process, and the criminal justice system in pursuing action against the alleged assailant.

If you disclose an incident of sexual misconduct to a Faculty or Staff member, they are obligated to report it.  

If you wish to disclose CONFIDENTIALLY, the following offices are not obligated to report and will keep your disclosure confidential:

  • The Counseling Center
  • The Health Center
  • The Office of Sexual Assault Prevention

Who to contact should you wish to report:

  • The Campus Grievance Officer - Complaints regarding violation of rules of conduct by Evergreen students should be directed to the Campus Grievance Office (360) 867-6891. These complaints will be processed in accordance with the College Governance and Grievance procedures. For more complete information concerning the judicial process, rights of the student who is the subject of the complaint, rights of the student bringing forward the complaint, and possible sanctions, click here. In the case of an alleged sexual assault, the student bringing the complaint forward has the right to be notified about the outcome of the judicial hearing and any sanctions imposed. There is no established time frame for filing a complaint; however survivors are urged to file a complaint as soon as possible. (Campus Temporary No Contact Order: The Campus Grievance Officer (867-5052) can impose a Temporary No Contact Order on any and all parties involved in a harassment/assault complaint during an investigation. This is not a legally binding order but a violation of this order will result in campus disciplinary action.)
  • College Civil Rights Officer - The campus Civil Rights Officer is responsible for enforcing the college's commitment to promote, maintain and encourage a learning and work environment free from all forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment. Sexual assault is considered a form of sexual harassment. A person who believes that they have been harassed or subject to discriminatory treatment within the Evergreen Community because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, disability, pregnancy or veteran status, or has been retaliated against for participating in such a complaint process, is urged to utilize the complaint procedures provided by the college through the Civil Rights Office. The current Civil Rights Officer is Nicole Ack, Library, Room 3238, (360) 867-5371, TTY (360) 867-6695,ackn@evergreen.edu.
  • The Office of Sexual Assault Prevention: Coordinator Talcott Broadhead can walk you through the steps and explain reporting options. Additionally Talcott will accompany you (should you wish) as you interact with the investigative processes. (360) 867-5221. Sem 1, rm 4121.

Additional Options:

  • Housing staff - (See Resource List for telephone #s): can provide support and work with you to develop a plan to assure your safety and support. Residential Advisors receive annual training from the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention regarding sexual violence disclosure. The Director of Housing is available to help with housing relocation requests as well.
  • The Vice-President for Student Affairs - Library 3236, 867-6296: can impose an emergency suspension that results in an immediate eviction from housing and a temporary ban from campus. The Vice President for Student Affairs or his designee, will determine if an all-campus bulletin is appropriate and, whenever possible, consult with the survivor about content and composition of the bulletin.
  • Academic Needs: If you would like to discuss changes to your academic program or request accomodations, please contact Sara Martin, Director of Academic Advising at: 360-867-6312, 
  • First People's Advising at: 360-867-6467.
Campus Sexual Misconduct Response Network (SMRN)                                  

The Evergreen State College Sexual Misconduct Response Network (SMRN) is a multidisciplinary team designed to be activated when a report of sexual violence is made. When activated, the team is charged with defining the specific actions individual Staff are expected to take in assisting victims of sexual violence.

Resources: On and Off-Campus  

Seeking help or confiding in someone about being sexually violated can be difficult, particularly if the perpetrator was someone you knew and trusted. There are many resources on campus and in the community to help.

On-Campus Resources

  • The Office of Sexual Assault Prevention can provide brief, advocacy-based counseling for survivors. In order to access this counseling a survivor can make an appointment Monday-Friday, by calling 867-5221. O.S.A.P can also make referrals for free, ongoing therapy for survivors in the community.
  • Counseling Center - Seminar 4126, 867-6800 - Counseling services are provided by the Evergreen State College Counseling Services staff. They provide counseling for crisis and healing, as well as referral to agencies off campus, when applicable. Counseling Services are available (when the college is in session) Monday -Thursday, 8am- 5pm, and Fridays, 8am- 3pm. Walk-in hours for crisis are available Monday-Friday from 11 am- noon.
  • Emergency Contact through Police Services 867-6140
  • Dean of Student and Academic Support Services 867-6034
  • First Peoples Advising 867-6467
  • Office of Veteran's Affairs 867-5189
  • Access Services Students with Disabilities 867-6348 TTY(for the hearing impaired) 867-6834
  • Health Center 867-6200
  • Housing 867-6132
  • Civil Rights Officer (Sexual Harassment Complaints) 867-5371
  • Tacoma Campus 867-6602*Contact the Tacoma Police Department to report a sexual assault
  • Tribal Based Program 867-6020
  • Vice President for Student Affairs 867-6296 

Student Groups

  • Coalition Against Sexual Violence 867-6749
  • Queer People of Color 867-6220
  • Native Student Alliance 867-6220
  • Women of Color Coalition 867-6006
  • Evergreen Queer Alliance 867-6544
  • Women's Resource Center 867-6162
  • *Additional student groups are listed here..

Off-Campus Resources