Sexual Assault Response

How USU Police Respond to Reports of Sexual Assault

Report a Sexual Assault

All crimes on the Logan campus may be reported in the following ways:

Police and Advocate Response 

A specialized unit that includes a confidential SAAVI advocate and a dedicated law enforcement detective respond to reported incidents of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. The advocate can offer assistance with filing protective orders, sexual violence protective orders, and dating violence protective orders.

Individuals may also choose to work with a community advocate. See the resource guide below for more information.

USU Victim Resource Guide

USU offers a resource guide to help victims of sexual violence navigate their options. 

>>Visit the resource guide

Investigative Process 

Victim Interview

If a report comes in soon after a sexual assault occurs, USU Police will perform an initial interview, talk about preserving evidence, and encourage the victim to get a sexual assault forensic exam at Cache Valley Hospital. The victim is also provided with information about resources to help them both on and off campus.

Crimes of sexual violence are particularly traumatizing, and a police investigation can be a difficult process. USU Police have a SAAVI victim advocate embedded in the department to offer emotional support and help victims navigate the process and connect with support services and resources.

Best practices now call for waiting approximately two sleep cycles before conducting a more in-depth interview with the victim. Victims likely remember more about the event once they have had time to process the trauma, and this interview often reveals more leads.

Victim Preferences

More than 90% of sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone the victims knows, including a friend, dating partner, or even a spouse. A victim may feel confused when someone they know violates their trust. They may feel unsure about proceeding with a police investigation, and this can result in a delay between when an assault occurs and when it is reported.

We encourage victims to reach out to USU Police as soon as possible after an assault even if they are not sure that they want to pursue an investigation and potential charges. When reports are delayed, police may not have enough information or evidence to move an investigation forward. Police respond to the preferences of victims, and it is OK for a victim to change their mind about pursuing charges.  Whatever a victim decides, USU will ensure victim confidentiality throughout all steps of the investigative process for any sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking crime.

Preservation of Evidence

For a sexual assault forensic exam in Logan, victims should go directly to Cache Valley Hospital to see a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. In order to preserve evidence, the following activities should be avoided: bathing or showering, using the restroom, changing clothes, combing hair, or cleaning up. When a sexual assault forensic exam is performed, certain information must be given to police according to Utah law, but the victim is not required to pursue an investigation. Sexual assault forensic exams are free, but the cost of treating injuries may be charged to the patient. The victim advocate can review costs with you.

Cache Valley Hospital: 435-719-9700 | 2380 North 400 East, North Logan

Title IX and Supportive Measures

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 requires campus police to forward all reports of sexual assault involving USU students, staff, or faculty to the university Title IX Coordinator. USU’s Title IX Coordinator reaches out to victims in order to ascertain their reporting preferences and offer support services and accommodations. 

USU Police Policies and Procedures

University police follow USU Police Policy 601 on Sexual Assault Investigations. Investigators receive training on the current best practices for investigations of sexual assault and relationship violence.

>>Visit Policy 601 Sexual Assault Investigations

USU's Commitment

  • Approaching your case with objectivity, avoiding victim-blaming, and checking our own biases while investigating your case.
  • Meeting with you privately. You are welcome to have a victim advocate present for emotional support.
  • Respecting your decision whether to pursue an investigation and charges. Reporting does not commit you to a full investigation, and we respect your decisions if you change your mind.
  • Upholding state law concerning medical amnesty. We will not pursue alcohol or drug charges against survivors.
  • Helping you obtain medical treatment and a free sexual assault forensic exam.
  • Connecting you with victim advocacy support, confidential counseling, safety planning and other resources throughout the investigation.
  • Treating you with courtesy and professionalism.
  • Doing our best to accommodate your request to meet with a female or male officer.
  • Handling your case with discretion and not release your name to the public or media. Your parent or guardian will not be notified unless you are 17 or younger.
  • Conducting a thorough investigation regardless of your age, race, gender or sexual orientation or that of the suspect.
  • Keeping you updated throughout the process of the progress of any investigation or court proceedings.