The privacy of all parties to a report of sexual misconduct must be strictly observed, except insofar as it interferes with Coe College’s obligation to fully investigate and determine allegations of sexual misconduct. Where privacy it not strictly kept, it will still be tightly controlled on a need-to-know basis. Dissemination of information and/or written materials to persons not involved in the reporting procedure is not permitted. In all reports of sexual misconduct, the complainant and respondent will be informed of the outcome. In some instances, the administration may choose to make a brief announcement, e.g. security bulletin, of the nature of the violation and the action taken, using no names. Certain college administrators are informed on a confidential basis when appropriate (i.e., the President of the College, Dean of Students, Director of Security, College Counsel, Provost and Director of Human Resources). If you report an act of alleged sexual misconduct to a designated official of the college and there is evidence that a felony has occurred, local police may be notified. This does not mean charges will be automatically filed or that a complainant must speak with the police, but the college is legally required to notify law enforcement authorities in some situations. Coe College also must statistically report the occurrence on campus of major violent crimes, including certain sex offenses, in an annual report of campus crime statistics. This statistical report does not include personally identifiable information.

Yes, if you file a formal complaint and choose to proceed with the grievance procedure. Sexual misconduct is a serious offense and the accused has the right to confront the complainant. The college does provide options for allowing confrontation without direct contact, including closed-circuit testimony, using a room divider, or using separate rooms.

Yes, if you want to proceed with the formal grievance procedure against the alleged perpetrator. No, if you choose to respond informally and do not file a formal complaint, but your incident of sexual misconduct will be reported for federal statistical purposes. Your personal information will be kept strictly confidential.

DO NOT contact the complainant. The Title IX Coordinator or Dean of Students designee can explain the college’s procedures for dealing with sexual misconduct reports.

If you believe you have been a victim of a criminal sexual assault and you want to preserve evidence of the assault, you should go to St. Luke’s Hospital Emergency Room (1026 A Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406 — across the street from Greene and Hickok Hall), before washing yourself or your clothing.

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE Nurse — a specially trained nurse) at St. Luke’s Hospital is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the Emergency Room at (319) 369-7105 if you first want to speak to the nurse and ER will refer you. Evidence can still be collected if you have bathed since the incident. A medical professional may be able to collect physical evidence of a sexual assault within 72 hours of the assault. In addition, Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids and the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City both have SANE nurses.

A victim advocate can also accompany you to the hospital and Coe Security can provide transportation to the hospital. Victim advocates are available in Cedar Rapids through the Riverview Center Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.888.557.0310 (24- hour crisis line), and the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP) in Iowa City at 1.800.284.7821.

Some hospitals may notify the local police when a sexual assault victim seeks emergency room services, but you are not obligated to talk to the police or to prosecute. The exam will help to keep that option open for you, should you decide later to exercise it. The hospital staff will collect evidence, check for injuries and address the possibility of exposure to sexually transmitted infections. If you have changed clothing since the assault, bring the clothing you had on at the time of the assault with you to the hospital in a clean, sanitary container such as a clean paper grocery bag or wrapped in a clean sheet (plastic containers do not breathe and may render evidence useless). If you have not changed clothes, bring a change of clothes with you to the hospital, if possible, as they will likely keep the clothes you are wearing as evidence. You can take a support person or advisor with you to the hospital and they can accompany you through the exam if you want. Do not disturb the crime scene — leave all sheets, towels, etc. that may contain evidence for the police to collect.

Not unless there is a compelling reason to believe prior use or abuse is relevant to the current report.