• Services & Educational Programs
• Confidentiality & Philosophy
• UD Policies
• If You Are Victimized

• Helping a Friend
• For Parents
• For Male Survivors
• Sexual Assault
• Intimate Partner Violence
• Stalking & Cyberstalking
• Date Rape Drugs
• Apply to Join S.O.S.
• History of S.O.S.
• Online Resources

 

Reporting Options

• Call 911 if you are in danger or in need of medical attention.

For sexual assault, intimate partner violence or stalking that has occurred ON CAMPUS:

• You may report the incident directly to University Police, 911 or 831-2222, who would take a report, investigate, and present the case to the Attorney General's Office for possible criminal prosecution by the State of Delaware. If you report to UD Police, the initial report would likely be taken by a patrol officer, and then you would be contacted later for a more in-depth interview with a detective who will conduct the investigation. You may request a female officer; however, based upon staffing and scheduling of women officers, they may not be able to assure you that a woman will respond. The University Police can also put you in touch with a Victim Services Officer to assist you.
• If you were physically or sexually assaulted on campus by another University of Delaware student, this is a violation of the University's Code of Conduct and you have the option to hold the person accountable through the Office of Student Conduct. As the victim, you can expect to be asked to speak at a University Hearing. Any other people who may have witnessed any part of the incident may also be asked to speak as witnesses. You are allowed to have one person present with you during the hearing for support. That person may be a trained SOS Advocate, close friend, Resident Assistant, Victim Services Officer, faculty member, or anyone you trust to be there for you.
• In addition to conducting the criminal investigation, if you report the crime to UD Police and the alleged perpetrator is also a UD student, UD Police would likely also represent the University in a student conduct hearing against the perpetrator for charges of violation of UD Code of Conduct.
• In the residence hall, your Resident Assistant or Hall Director may complete an Incident Report and/or help you to contact University Police. You may also complete your own Incident Report about the attack. You can opt not to have your name listed on the Incident Report if you choose not to report the crime, but a Residence Life professional staff member would be informed of your identity for purposes of follow up assistance. If you do wish to report the crime for UD Code of Conduct violations, the Incident Report would likely be used in the Student Conduct hearing process.

For sexual assault, intimate partner violence or stalking that has occurred OFF CAMPUS:

• If your assault occurred off-campus in Newark and you want to press criminal charges against the perpetrator, you would report it to the Newark Police Department by dialing 911. The University Police have jurisdiction for those crimes committed on University of Delaware property. Police agencies have an obligation to take any crimes presented to them to the Attorney General's office, even if the victim does not wish to pursue a criminal case. Ultimately it is the decision of the AG's office whether or not the case will be dropped or charges will be pressed against the alleged perpetrator.
• Similarly, if your assault occurred elsewhere in New Castle County, dial 911 and they will send an officer from the appropriate jurisdiction to take your report.
• If the assault happened off-campus but both victim and perpetrator are UD students, and you wish to bring Code of Conduct violation charges against the perpetrator, contact the Office of Student Conduct directly by calling 831-2117.
• Once the Office of Student Conduct receives an Incident Report, a police report, or direct report from you (the victim), then charges may be brought against the alleged perpetrator by the University. As the victim, you can expect to be asked to speak at a University Hearing. Any other people who may have witnessed any part of the incident may also be asked to speak as witnesses. You are allowed to have one person present with you during the hearing for support. That person may be a trained SOS Advocate, close friend, Resident Assistant, Victim Services Officer, faculty member, or anyone you trust to be there for you.

Additional Reporting Information:

• If you are considering filing a report and pressing charges, it is important that you go to the hospital for a forensic examination so that evidence may be collected to assist in a criminal case. While the desire to shower may be powerful, refrain from showering or disposing of clothing, which likely contain critical forensic evidence to support a criminal case. Take the clothes you wore during the assault to the hospital with you, and you may wish to take along a fresh change of clothing.
• It is also important that you report to police as soon as you are able so that you are able to provide as many details as you can remember while they are fresh in your mind. (It is normal for additional details to come to light in time, especially if alcohol or other drugs were a factor.)
• An S.O.S. advocate can answer questions you have about this process, provide support and a listening ear, and inform you about all of your options to assist you in your decision-making process. Call 831-2226 and ask to be put in touch with S.O.S. The staff will take a first name and phone number and the Victim Advocate on duty will call you back within 10 minutes. . If you prefer an advocate who is not from the UD Campus, you may call Rape Crisis Contact Lifeline at 1-800-262-9800 to talk with an advocate. Services provided by S.O.S. & Contact Lifeline are strictly confidential.
• Victims who file a police report (whether the case is pursued by the Attorney General's Office or not) are eligible to have medical, counseling, lost pay from days off, and a list of other expenses paid for by the Victim's Compensation Assistance Program. The S.O.S. Coordinator has copies of the application forms at Wellspring and can assist with the application process. For assistance, make an appointment with the Coordinator by calling 831-3457 during business hours.
• For more information about the state's Victim Advocacy Program as well as the legal process, visit the Delaware Attorney General's Home Page. The Attorney General's website also has a page specifically focussed on Victim's Rights and Victim's Assistance programs in the state of Delaware. If the crime did not occur in Delaware, you may want to check out your home state's Attorney General's Office for information accurate to your situation. The National Center for Victims of Crime also has good info on Victim's Rights.

To reach the SOS Victim Advocate on duty (24 hrs/day) call 831-2226. The person who answers will take a first name and phone number and the advocate will call you back within 10 minutes.

Upcoming Events!

Wellspring Student Wellness Program • 231 South College Ave. Newark, DE 19716 • 302-831-3457