Victims have a right to report a sexual assault to the police, school, both or neither. Often, participating in these processes can provide victims with additional safety and support options. If the assault is reported to police and school, it is possible that two separate investigations will take place at the same time. Victims also have the right to file for a personal protection order regardless of their participation in the criminal or the campus process.
It's never too late to talk to the police.
Under Title IX, all schools are required to have systems in place to respond to sexual assault.
A PPO can be requested to protect a survivor from their abuser.
Help is available for other lingering legal concerns of survivors.
Sometimes sexual assault perpetrators take advantage of
victims who have used alcohol or drugs. Sometimes they give potential victims
alcohol or drugs in order to assault them. Some people may feel nervous to
report a sexual assault because they are scared of getting in trouble for
consuming alcohol or drugs. Most schools have an explicit rule that they do not
pursue drug or alcohol misconduct charges against people who have reported a
sexual assault in good faith. Most prosecutors will not file drug charges
against a person who has reported a sexual assault in good faith to law
enforcement. You cannot be prosecuted for drinking alcohol (as a minor) or
using drugs if you voluntarily seek health care for the assault or other health
reasons.
