Evidence necessary for medical and/or forensic evaluation and court testimony can be collected only at the hospital. For physical evidence to be useful, it is best collected within 12-24 hours and not later than five days after the assault. The collection of medical evidence does not presume that charges will be filed against the assailant. Hospital protocol also involves testing for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

The victim should expect that the following individuals may be notified that an assault has occurred: The Director of Public Safety Services, Public Safety Services personnel, the Dean of Students and if applicable, the Director of Housing. The university Counseling Center will notify the victim about ongoing counseling options, referrals for legal assistance, and other support services that are available through the Counseling Center, the Women's Center and/or the YWCA Sexual Assault Center. The university will notify the victim that it will change his/her academic and living situations after an alleged sex offense and of the options for those changes if the victim request changes and they are reasonably available.

Options for Victims:

Option 1: Victims of sexual offenses should call the emergency 911-phone number as soon as possible to reach the appropriate police department. 

To protect important physical evidence, victims should not shower, bathe, brush their teeth, or change clothing prior to going to the hospital. A change of clothes will be needed to wear home from the hospital. If possible, the student should maintain the scene exactly as it was at the occurrence of the assault.Victims of sexual offenses (forcible or non-forcible) have the option of notifying the proper law enforcement authorities, including GVSU Police. As a victim, they also have the option to be assisted by campus personnel in notifying the law enforcement authorities if they choose to do so.

Option 2: Campus Judicial system. Victims of sexual assaults that occur on university property may file a Judicial Referral with the Coordinator of the University Judiciary.

If the accused student denies the charges and requests a hearing, the victim will be notified of the hearing. The victim may present written evidence to be used at the hearing, may testify at the hearing, and is entitled to a copy of the written decision and sanction.

The accused student and the victim may each have one advisor at the hearing. If the accused student admits the charges, the victim is entitled to a copy of the written sanction. The victim or the accused student may appeal the decision and/or the sanction.

Sanctions for students found responsible through the University Judicial process for committing sex offenses may include one or more of the following: warning; restitution; work assignment/community service; probation; loss of privileges; loss of the right to live in university housing; counseling; denial or revocation of a university honor, scholarship or degree; suspension; and/or dismissal.

 The Grand Valley State University Counseling Center provides counseling for victims of sexual assault. Students are also made aware of counseling and support services in the community for victims of sexual assault.

Sexual Assault Programs
Programs dealing with rape, acquaintance rape, and other sex offenses are presented on a regular basis at a variety of student educational activities, including orientation prior to enrollment, on-campus resident programs and first-year orientation classes. Most of the programs are sponsored by the Counseling Center, the Residential Life Office, the Women's Center or Public Safety Services.