Sexual Assault Recovery & Survivor Guide

• Get to a safe place, with a safe person, as soon as you can. Find someone you trust.
• Call 911 or Police Dispatch at 435-627-4300.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible to make sure you are physically well and to collect important evidence in the event you may wish to take legal action, now or later.
• Preserve all physical evidence. Do not wash, use the toilet, or change clothing if you can avoid it. If you do change clothes, put all clothing you were wearing at the time of the attack in a paper bag, not plastic.
• If you choose to report right away, any hospital can request a specialized forensic nurse to perform a sexual assault exam. At St. George Regional Hospital, staff will also contact The DOVE Center so a confidential, community-based advocate can support you during the process. After the exam, you can meet with a UTPD officer or system-based advocate to explore your options and create a safety plan. If you’re not ready to speak with law enforcement, you can still get support by calling Southwest Forensic Nursing at 888-436-7421 or The DOVE Center at 435-628-0458.
• You can get medical care at several locations: St. George Regional Hospital, Hurricane ER (part of Intermountain’s Hurricane InstaCare), and Family Healthcare all provide care to survivors. You can also contact Southwest Forensic Nursing & Healthcare (SWFN) directly to schedule an exam at their clinic, which can be a bit more quiet, comfortable, and trauma-informed. Nurses and community-based advocates from The Dove Center can respond to any of these locations to support you.
• You can reach out to Title IX and Booth Wellness Center for support and resources. If you are currently a student you can choose to report the incident to Title IX without filing a formal complaint.  You have a right to report the matter to Title IX and the institution is required to provide a confidential process and supportive measures.

• During a sexual assault medical exam at the hospital, a specially trained SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) nurse will talk with you about STI treatment, prevention, and other medical aftercare options to support your healing.
• You can visit the Booth Wellness Center on campus for confidential, low-cost STI testing and other health services. They offer STI testing to current Utah Tech students for just $15 per service, along with free condoms, health education, and mental health counseling to support your recovery.

Everyone reacts differently to sexual assault. There’s no right or wrong way to feel. You might feel angry, anxious, numb, or totally in control. Emotions can shift over time, and it’s also common to have trouble sleeping, eating, or focusing. Certain reminders may trigger strong reactions. These responses are normal after trauma, and while some feelings fade, others may stick around and need extra support.  Learning more can help you find the best form of care to begin the healing process.  You can learn more by going to RAINN.org and UCASA.org.

If you’re a student, you can contact Title IX for support, such as classroom and student housing accommodations.

• No, you don’t have to report to get medical care. You can still get a medical exam and talk to a victim advocate about your concerns. You may also qualify for help with medical bills, counseling, and more through the Utah Office for Victims of Crime.  Furthermore, if you do not want to speak to a UTPD police officer, you can speak to UTPD’s system-based victim advocate.
• Seek Then Speak is a great resource for survivors who may not want to report to law enforcement yet. It provides them a confidential means to document events of a sexual assault for law enforcement without reporting, in case they might decide later that they wish to pursue legal action.

• Yes, you can work with a confidential, community-based victim advocate from The DOVE Center, which is separate from law enforcement. When a sexual assault exam is done at St. George Regional Hospital, hospital staff will contact The DOVE Center so an advocate can support you during the process.
• You can also receive medical care at Hurricane ER, Family Healthcare, or by scheduling an exam directly with Southwest Forensic Nursing & Healthcare (SWFN).  DOVE Center advocates and forensic nurses can respond to any of these locations to support you.
• Afterwards, a confidential DOVE Center advocate is also available on the Utah Tech campus. You can meet with them to talk through your options and get support.  Click here to schedule an appointment with The Dove Center advocate: https://calendly.com/hailey-dovecenter/dove-advocacy-appointment.

You can report whenever you’re ready. It’s easier to collect evidence soon after, but it’s okay to take time to decide. There’s no wrong time to speak up; what matters most is that you feel ready.

In the State of Utah, victims of sexual assault have rights that are legally protected. These include:

• Be informed about your protection level and its source during criminal justice proceedings.
• Receive support and guidance throughout the justice process.
• Get clear explanations about legal steps affecting your case.
• Have access to a secure waiting area away from defendants and their families.
• Expect a prompt resolution of the case, especially when children are involved.
• Seek restitution, including medical costs.
• Have your personal property returned quickly when no longer needed.
• Receive help from your employer to reduce lost wages and benefits due to participation.
• Get timely updates on court dates and cancellations.
• Request voluntary HIV testing for yourself and mandatory testing for the alleged offender.
• Obtain a medical forensic exam without being charged or denied.
• Receive notifications about DNA evidence related to your case.
• These rights are a summary of Utah’s Victims’ Rights found in Utah State Codes §77-37-3, 53-10-803 & 53-10-802). For the full details, please refer to the official codes.

If you are under 18 (for example, 16 or 17 years old) and choose to have a medical exam or forensic interview after a sexual assault, these will take place at the Washington County Children’s Justice Center. A parent or guardian will be notified, and communication will go through them.

Once you turn 18, you can decide how you’d like to receive communication moving forward. You may choose to have updates go directly to you or continue through your parent or guardian.  Just be sure to clearly share your preferences with law enforcement and other involved agencies.

If you report within 6 days of the assault, you can get a free medical exam from a trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) without filing a police report. You’re in control.  You can skip parts, take breaks, or stop at any time. Your SANE will guide you so you can decide what feels right. Your healthcare and safety following a sexual assault is the primary concern. Medical forensic exams are provided by specially trained nurses who, while offering healthcare, can also collect evidence, document injuries, and recommend medications to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. While this exam is typically done within 6 days after an assault, it can be done later depending on injuries, pain, or other circumstances. Some medications, including HIV prevention, are time-sensitive, so seeking care as soon as possible can help reduce potential complications.

The sexual assault kit is part of the medical exam after an assault. It helps document injuries and collect evidence, like DNA, during a forensic exam by a specially trained nurse. You get to decide how much of the exam to complete; the nurse will check with you at every step. There are two types of kits: restricted and unrestricted.

A restricted kit is collected and kept by law enforcement but isn’t sent to the crime lab until you decide. This gives you time to think about moving forward without rushing your decision or risking the loss of evidence.

An unrestricted kit is collected by the nurse, given to law enforcement, and sent to the crime lab for testing. A first responder will collect basic info, and a specially trained officer will handle your case. You don’t have to decide to move forward with the investigation right away.

You can still make a report without a sexual assault kit. The kit isn’t required for an investigation to move forward if you choose to proceed.

In most cases, the first responding officer, usually a patrol officer, will meet you and get brief details about the sexual assault in order to complete an initial report. After the first report, the case is assigned to an officer who’s is specially trained in conducting trauma-informed investigations. Officers will work with UTPD’s victim advocate to provide a safety plan and offer you resources that are available on campus and in the community.

The most important thing to know is that you’re in control of what happens after you report. You decide if you want law enforcement to investigate or move forward with charges; and you don’t have to decide right away. You can take your time and even change your mind later. If you’d like to talk through your options, a victim advocate is here to help.

After the initial report is taken by an officer, and if you choose to move forward, Utah Tech University Police (UTPD) will coordinate with the Washington County Attorney’s Office (WCAO) to schedule an interview with their Adult Forensic Interviewer. A UTPD victim advocate can meet you before to answer questions and make sure you know what resources are available.

If the assault happened recently (within 6 days), a medical exam is recommended to address any physical concerns. You may meet with an officer for a brief statement and then our office will set up your full interview with an Adult Forensic Interviewer through the Washington County Attorney’s Office.

You can still report and access support, even if you don’t know the offender or can’t remember everything. We’re here to help in whatever way you need.

If a sexual assault happens on the Utah Tech University campus, it will be handled by the Utah Tech University Police Department. A specially trained police officer will investigate your case with care, and a victim advocate will be there to support you.

You can still report to Utah Tech University Police Department, which will provide and assist in coordinating a connection with the applicable police department(s). The officer will give you UTPD’s victim advocate information so you can connect with on campus and community resources.

The police and victim advocates will work with you to determine whether you would like to move forward with charges or not. Under certain limited circumstances (such as sexual assault of a minor), the police must move forward with screening charges.

When appropriate, police will send charges to the Washington County Attorney’s Office to be “screened” after completing the investigation. The Washington County Attorney’s Office makes the final determination about whether charges will be filed for criminal prosecution.

We are committed to protecting survivors’ identities and preventing further harm. The Utah Tech University Department will never release your name or personal information.

If a sexual assault is reported, police officers carefully review the case to decide if a media release is needed. A release with basic details (like date, location, and suspect description) may be issued when:

• There’s a risk to public safety
• Police need help identifying a suspect or witnesses
• Other victims may come forward
• Charges are filed or major updates occur
• There’s a campus safety concern under the Clery Act

If you have questions or concerns, a victim advocate is here to help.

• Safety alerts for students and staff when there’s an immediate or ongoing threat
• Public crime log with identifying details removed
• Annual security report with crime statistics and campus safety policies, excluding personal information

The criminal justice process can look different for everyone. It often begins with a report, followed by an investigation, possible charges, and then court proceedings, but each case is unique. While survivors have a voice in the process and their input is important, especially early on, they don’t have full control over how the case moves forward after a report is made. Decisions like whether to file charges or proceed to trial are made by the prosecutor. A UTPD victim advocate can explain each step based on your needs, offer support, and help keep you informed along the way.

The court process can be lengthy and varies from case to case. Multiple court dates may be scheduled, and you have the right to be informed of each one. The Victim Coordinator at the Washington County Attorney’s Office (WCAO) can keep you updated and discuss the specifics of your individual situation. It’s essential to notify the WCAO of any changes to your address or phone number to ensure they can reach you.

You may be asked to testify, but you are not required to make that decision before reporting or exploring your options. The court process can be complex, and in some situations, testifying may not be necessary. The Victim Coordinator at the Washington County Attorney’s Office (WCAO) can discuss the details of your case with you and provide further guidance.

Sexual offenses are serious crimes and can be charged as high as first degree felonies. If you’d like to know the specific charges in your case, a UTPD officer or UTPD victim advocate can provide that information.

After a conviction, the judge considers several factors, including the victim impact statement, before determining a sentence. Possible penalties may include jail or prison time, probation, fines, community service, restitution, or a combination of these. One key factor in sentencing is the classification of the crime, which can fall into one of three categories: felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions.
For more details on crime classifications and sentencing, visit the Utah State Courts website.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, you can speak with UTPD’s system-based victim advocate or a police officer.  You’re welcome to meet with the advocate or a police officer in our soft interview room, located just off the UTPD lobby. This private space allows you to talk in a more comfortable setting without entering the main office.