Sexual Assault: What You Need to Know

What You Need to Know . . . and Do!

• It is important that a victim of sexual assault not bathe, douche, smoke, change clothing or clean the bed/linen/area where they were assaulted if the offense occurred within the past 96 hours so that evidence as may be necessary to the proof of criminal activity may be preserved.
• In circumstances of sexual assault, if victims do not opt for forensic evidence collection, health care providers can still treat injuries and take steps to address concerns of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted disease.
• Victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence are encouraged to also preserve evidence by saving text messages, instant messages, social networking pages, other communications, and keeping pictures, logs or other copies of documents, if they have any, that would be useful to the college adjudication process/hearing, panel/investigators, or police.
• Although Oakton strongly encourages all members of its community to report violations of this policy to Oakton Police, it is the victim’s choice whether or not to make such a report and also have the right to decline involvement with the police. The Office of Student Affairs or Department of Human Resources will assist any community members with notifying local police if they so desire. See pg. 11 of this policy for contact information for local municipal police departments.
• If you have been the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, you should report the incident promptly to the Title IX coordinator, Robert Peterson, 847.635.1745, rpeterson@oakton.edu, Room 2270 Des Plaines campus, Room B210 Skokie campus and Oakton Police at 847.635.1880 (if the victim so desires.) Oakton will provide resources to persons who have been victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, and will apply appropriate disciplinary procedures to those who violate this policy.
• Evidence dissipates over time or becomes lost or unavailable, thereby making investigation, possible prosecution, disciplinary proceedings, or obtaining protection from abuse orders related to the incident more difficult. If a victim chooses not to make a complaint regarding an incident, he or she nevertheless should consider speaking with Oakton Police or other law enforcement to preserve evidence in the event that the victim changes her/his mind at a later date.

Resources for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking

Oakton will notify complainants of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking in writing of how to request changes to their academic situation or seek protective measures regardless of whether he or she chooses to report the incident to law enforcement.