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Information for Survivors of Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, and Stalking

Information to consider following a report of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking or other sexual misconduct

First and foremost, focus on your well-being. Augustana staff want to support you during this time, and the following information is intended to help you understand rights and options available to you. Know that what happened is not your fault. You are not responsible for the actions of others. No one has the right to hurt you or touch you against your will or without consent. No one deserves to be stalked.

Consider the following:

  • Contacting a Rape Crisis Counselor at 1-309-797-1777. Family Resources Survivor Services of the Quad Cities provides specialized support to Augustana students who are victims of sexual assault and domestic or dating violence, and stalking. The call will put you in touch with a Rape Crisis Counselor who can provide confidential personal support. This support can be provided on an emergency and on-going basis as a confidential advisor to you, upon your request.
  • Contacting a Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator can answer questions, connect you with appropriate resources, and conduct an investigation. Contact information for Title IX Coordinators is listed on the back of this page.  You may reach out to any of the Title IX Coordinators listed. The Title IX Coordinator will also be able to explain the following:
  • The college’s requirement to include reported violations in its Clery report and to submit an "incident report" to the campus community regarding the report; care will be taken to protect the identity of those involved.
  • The process for filing on-campus judicial charges, as well as contacting local law enforcement.
  • Obtaining accommodations to academic requirements such as class attendance, class schedules, as well as changes to residential, dining, working, and transportation situations. Other accommodations such as “no-contact orders” will also be discussed and considered. These accommodations are available for you to request regardless of your decision to pursue disciplinary action, whether on or off campus.
  • Explain any other resources that might be available to you and help connect you with the resources you request, such as on or off-campus health and mental health services, counseling, legal assistance or other advocacy services, visa or immigration assistance, financial aid assistance, etc.
  • Explain to you how confidentiality works under the College’s policies and procedures.
  • Provide you with this written summary of your rights and options.
  • Meeting with one of Augustana College’s counselors. All members of our counseling staff, as well as college pastors, are confidential resources for you on campus.  This means that you may talk with them confidentially at any time and they will not share your conversation with others on campus. The counselors can also help you understand the options available to you. Confidential advisors from Safe Path Survivor Resources are also available to you, and can provide emergency and on-going support to you confidentially.
  • Going to the hospital for treatment. In addition to making sure that you have not been injured, the hospital may suggest a “rape kit”, which is a process designed to collect evidence after a sexual assault has occurred.
  • Reporting the incident to the Rock Island Police Department. A detective will speak with you about the incident and collect evidence. This could lead to the filing of criminal charges, but does not have to. The decision of notifying law enforcement authorities is yours.   An Augustana Police/Public Safety officer will assist you in notifying the Rock Island Police if you request this.
  • Making a report to Augustana Police/Public Safety (this may be done in conjunction with notifying the Rock Island Police Department). If you feel your safety is at risk, an Augustana Police/Public Safety officer will take steps to minimize the danger.
  • Preserve evidence. Evidence of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking should be preserved as soon as possible, even if you are unsure about reporting to the College or filing criminal charges.

Confidential resources

Individuals who feel they have been victims of sexual misconduct may require time and support in reaching the decision as to whether to make formal complaints. There are confidential resources on campus and in the community available to individuals who do not wish to make a formal report to campus authorities or who wish to speak with a confidential resource in addition to making a formal report. Information disclosed to a confidential resource will not be shared with other individuals.  These resources generally only report to the College the fact that an incident occurred without revealing any personally identifying information.  This also means that disclosures to a confidential resource will not result in a College investigation into an incident. These confidential resources include:

Confidential resources on campus

Counseling Services, 309-794-7357

Counseling Services can provide emotional and medical support in a safe and confidential space. Counselors are not required to disclose identifying information as they have professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of their clients. They also can help you think through your options for filing a formal report.

Office of Campus Ministries, 309-794-7213; Founders Hall 101

Confidential advisors

Through a partnership, the college has arranged for the availability of confidential advisors employed by SafePath Survivor Resources of Family Resources to provide emergency and on-going support to survivors of sexual assault.

Confidential resources in the community

SafePath Survivor Resources of Family Resources: 24-hour free crisis line, 309-797-1777

SafePath Survivor Resources of Family Resources is a community-based program that serves the needs of women, men, children and families whose lives have been affected by domestic or sexual violence, human trafficking, or other violent crimes.

Illinois Domestic Violence Help Line, 1-877-863-6338

National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline, 1-800-656-4673

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network