Office of Sexual Assault Prevention Staff
- If you think you or someone you know has been raped
- Additional Campus Options
- Campus Processes
- Legal Points and Options
- Resources
- List of Terms
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. 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, specifically the sections related to harassment/physical harm and/or the Sexual Harassment. When violations are believed to have occurred, disciplinary action can be pursued.
If you think you or someone you know has been raped:
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.
- Safety
Get to a place where you will feel safe. If you are in immediate danger, call 911; if you are on campus, call the campus police at extension 6140.
- Medical Options
It is important to be checked for physical injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and pregnancy. In spite of a strong and natural desire to clean up, it is best if you do not bathe, take a shower, douche or change clothes until after the physical examination. If you have to change your clothes, put the clothes you were wearing in a brown paper bag and take them with you to the hospital. (Avoid using a plastic bag as it can destroy chemical composition needed for testing). For accurate testing results, it is important to get a rape exam within 72 hours; the sooner the better. If you think you have been drugged with any date rape drug, you will need to ask the hospital to test for those specific drugs.
Local hospitals providing legal rape exams are St. Peter (413 Lilly Road, 493-7289) and Group Health (700 Lilly Road, 456-1700 - members only). See Resource List for other area hospitals that provide legal rape exams. St. Peter Hospital will call a Safeplace advocate and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner for you. Rape exams at St. Peter Hospital are paid for through Crime Victims Compensation regardless of whether you file a police report or not. 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.
While the College Health Center (Seminar 2110, 867-6200) is not equipped to conduct legal rape exams, the staff can treat many injuries and test for pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases and free, anonymous HIV. The Morning-After treatment is also available.
- Legal and College 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.A) 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 trained student or Safeplace 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.
B) Thurston County Sheriff - Courthouse Complex, Building 3: Call 911 or 786-5500 if the assault happens off-campus within the county.
C) Lacey Police Department, 420 College SE: Call 911 or 459-4333D) Olympia Police Department, 900 Plum Street SE: Call 911 or 753-8300 if the assault happens off-campus in the city.
E) Tumwater Police Department, 555 Israel Rd SE: Call 911 or 754-4200.
F) Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator - 867-5221 M-F between 8am and 5pm and Police Services (867-6140) after hours. 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.
G) The Grievance Officer - 867-5052 will meet with you to decide if the college will file a grievance. The Grievance Officer always conducts a thorough and unbiased investigation before reaching a conclusion about whether a violation of the Student Conduct Code has occurred. The college encourages all parties to have a friend or advocate with them during the parts of the grievance process that are not closed to observers. Sexual Misconduct/Assault allegations are covered under Harm/Harassment in the Student Conduct Code.
H) Special Assistant to the President for Civil Rights and Legal Affairs - Library 3103, 867-6386 is responsibe 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. Please contact the Civil Rights office for more details about the Sexual Harassment Policy and procedures.
- Emotional Support Options
A) Get support from a friend, faculty, family member, peer advocate, Safeplace advocate, Housing Resident Assistant (RA), Housing Resident Director (RD), advisor from First People’s Advising Services or anyone you trust for immediate and/or long term support.
B) Counseling Center - Seminar 4126, 867-6800 Counselors are available on campus at Evergreen during the academic calendar year. Conversations with counselors are confidential. Drop-in hours vary from quarter to quarter but can be obtained by calling or checking the Counseling Center web site.C) Safeplace Rape Relief/Women’s Shelter Services - 754-6300, TDD Safeplace Crisis Line workers and advocates are available 24 hours a day and are specially trained to help survivors through all phases of recovery, including medical treatment and the legal system. Safeplace can also provide you with confidential shelter for women and children. Male advocates are available upon request.
D) Crisis Clinic – 586-2800, TDD 754-2818. The Crisis Clinic is available to provide referrals to counseling, emergency housing, medical needs and legal support.
Additional Campus Options
You are encouraged and welcome to contact any of the following offices:
- 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. The Director of Housing may require either party to move to a different room temporarily or permanently.
- 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.
- 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/her 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 and your assailant are in the same academic program, you may have the option of changing programs, or arranging an alternative study plan with your faculty.
Campus Processes
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.
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 a sexual offense, such as rape, sexual or physical assault, 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 the alleged assailant is a student, the survivor is encouraged to meet with the Campus Grievance Officer and/or Civil Rights Officer to file a written complaint. A written complaint allows the Grievance Officer and/or Civil Rights Officer to initiate an investigation. The Grievance Officer and/or Civil Rights Officer will treat such a complaint with high priority and will conduct a fair and impartial investigation. Both parties will have the opportunity to tell their side of the event.
Legal Points and Options
Regardless of whether or not the alleged assailant is a student, the survivor is encouraged to explore legal avenues for criminal action. Sexual assault, like other serious criminal offenses, is considered a crime against the State. Therefore, the prosecutor acts on behalf of the State and not directly on the survivor’s behalf. The survivor becomes a major witness for the prosecution. Usually the prosecutor will want to interview the survivor to verify the accuracy of the police report, obtain additional information, and explain the judicial process. There is a Crime Victim Witness Coordinator in the Prosecutor’s Office (360/786-5540) who can assist with paperwork, explain what could occur, offer emotional support while using the legal system, inform the survivor of available financial and emotional support options, and make referrals. If the State decides not to prosecute, the survivor has the right to a complete explanation of how and why this decision is made.
The Washington State Justice System is the only legal recourse students have if the assault happens off campus, unless the assault occurred during a college sponsored activity and/or ongoing, connected problems occur on campus or at college sponsored events off campus. The Criminal Justice System is punitive, whereas the Campus system is education focused. Safeplace can provide you with advocates who are specially trained to help rape survivors make informed decisions while going through the legal system. Campus advocates are also available through Sexual Assault Prevention Education. There is a Crime Victim Witness Coordinator at the Thurston County Prosecutor’s office who can also provide you with assistance. This office will determine whether or not they will pursue your case based on the amount of evidence present and chances of conviction. The College’s counseling and medical support systems are always available to students.
Resources
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 who want to help you.
On-Campus Resources
- Access Services Students with Disabilities 867-6348
TTY(for the hearing impaired) 867-6834 - Counseling Center 867-6800
- Emergency Contact through Police Services 867-6140
- Dean of Student and Academic Support Services 867-6034
- First Peoples Advising 867-6467
- Grievance Officer 867-5052 or 867-6296
- Health Center 867-6200
- Housing 867-6132
TTY 867-6694
*During non-business hours, contact Police Services to contact an on-duty Resident Director - Police Services -
24 Hours 867-6140
TTY 867-6696 - Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator 867-5221
- Special Assistant for Civil Rights (Sexual Harassment Complaints) 867-6386
- 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
- Evergreen Queer Alliance 867-6544
- Men's Center 867-6092
- Sexual Harassment & Assault Prevention Education (SHAPE) 867-6724
- Women of Color Coalition 867-6006
- Women's Resource Center 867-6162
*Additional student groups are listed in campus directory.
Off-Campus Resources
- Capital Medical Center
(No Legal Rape Exam) 956-2590
TTY 956-2570 - Centralia Providence Hospital (360) 736-2803
- Crisis Clinic
(24 Hour Crisis Line) 586-2800
Grays Harbor Comm Hospital (Aberdeen) (360) 532-8330
TTY 800-833-6388 - Group Health -
Members Only 456-2700 - Mason General Hospital
(Shelton) (360) 426-1611 - St. Joseph Medical Center
(Tacoma) (253) 627-4101 - St.Peter Hospital (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) 493-7766
TTY 800-833-6388 - Safeplace Rape Relief
(24 Hour Crisis Line and Advocacy) 754-6300
TTY 754-6300 - Tacoma General Hospital (253) 552-1000
- Thurston County Prosecutor 786-5540
- Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs 754-7583
*Unless otherwise stated, the listed hospitals provide legal rape exams and advocacy.
List of Terms
Acquaintance/Date Rape: Acquaintance/Date rape is non-consensual sex between adults who know each other. Studies show that 8 out of 10 victims know their attackers by at least a first name. Acquaintance/date relationships include platonic, dating, marital, professional, academic or familial; it is the most common and most likely form of sexual assault to occur on college campuses. Rape by an acquaintance or date is every bit as traumatic as rape by a stranger.
Advocate: A man or woman chosen by a survivor of sexual assault for support in a crisis to:
- respect their right to confidentiality
- has knowledge of medical and legal proceedings
- present options and choices
- safety plan
- make referrals or act as a liaison
- support and listen to feelings, values and beliefs
- believe their story
- assist in dealing with the College and State Legal systems should they choose to use one or both of them
Coercion: is defined as force or the power to use force. Intimidation, threats and peer relationship pressure are common behaviors used to coerce unwanted sexual contact or activity.
Consent: Both parties must agree or gain consent to any sexual activity before initiation. Consent is the act of willingly and verbally agreeing to engage in specific sexual contact or conduct. Obtaining consent is an ongoing process in any sexual interaction. The request of consent must be specific to each act and should be obtained with each new level of physical and/or sexual contact/conduct in any given interaction, regardless of who initiates it. Don’t ever make any assumptions about consent, do not take silence as consent; it isn’t. Consent must be clear and verbal.
The person with whom sexual contact/conduct is initiated is responsible to express verbally and/or physically her/his willingness or lack of willingness when reasonably possible. If someone has initially consented but then stops consenting during a sexual interaction she/he should communicate withdrawal verbally and/or through physical resistance. The other individual(s) must stop immediately.
Controlled and illegal substances: Alcohol, marijuana and other controlled substances are present in most sexual assaults; the use or abuse of any of these does not excuse sexual misconduct of any kind. A person under the influence of alcohol or drugs is legally incapacitated, and therefore incapable of giving consent to sexual activity. Knowing or setting your own personal boundaries, or respecting other people’s boundaries, may be harder if alcohol or drugs are involved.
GHB aka Home Brew: Also known as a date rape drug, GHB is a potentially lethal substance that is odorless, colorless and sometimes tasteless and undetectable when dissolved in a beverage. It has most of the symptoms of rohypnol.
Roofies AKA Rohypnol: Also known as a date rape drug, Roofies are an illegal drug that is a potent and fast-acting sedative. The physical effects of the drug may be noticeable within 20-30 minutes after ingestion. It causes partial amnesia, drowsiness, confusion, impaired motor skills, dizziness, disinhibition, impaired judgment, and reduced levels of consciousness. It is especially dangerous when it is mixed with alcohol and/or other drugs.
Court orders: May be obtained at the Thurston County Courthouse:
- Protection Order - against a family or household member
- No Contact Order - against a roommate
- No Harassment Order - against the harasser
- No Stalking Order - against the stalker
- Restraining Order - against a spouse or person with whom you have a child in common
Incapacitation: A person can never give consent to sexual activity if they are physically or mentally incapacitated, or if they are a minor under the age of 18. A person who is unconscious or under the influence of alcohol, illegal substances or/and prescribed medication is incapacitated.
Legal Rape Exam Kit: Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Physicians report, diagnostic impressions and description of trauma and injuries, pelvic exam, collect samples of pubic hair, vaginal, oral, rectal exam, fingernail scrapings, saliva, clothing, secretions, check for injuries, blood typing,(swabs, slides, syringes) foreign materials, alcohol/toxology samples.
Rape: is defined by the Washington State Criminal Code as engaging in sexual intercourse with another person under any of the following circumstances:
- 1st degree: Forcible compulsion including the use, or threatened use of a weapon, or what appears to be a weapon; kidnapping the victim; inflicting serious physical injury; feloniously entering into a building or vehicle where the victim is located.
- 2nd degree: Forcible compulsion when the victim is incapable of giving consent because he or she is physically helpless or mentally incapacitated for any reason, including being under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.
- 3rd degree: The victim does not consent to sexual intercourse with the perpetrator and such lack of consent is expressed by the victim’s words or conduct.
Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
- Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s employment of academic advancement;
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for decisions affecting an individual’s employment or academic standing;
- Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonable interfering with a person’s work or academic performance or creating and intimidating, hostile or offensive work, learning or social environment.