VIII. SEXUAL ASSAULT 

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Individuals are encouraged to report potential crimes of sexual assault (sexual assault by a person that is known or by a stranger) to the Title IX Coordinator. It is important to preserve evidence to the extent possible. The Title IX Coordinator, Title IX Investigators and the Director of Public Safety are available to assist an individual in notifying off-campus law enforcement. Criminal and Coastal Bend College’s investigations are separate and may be conducted simultaneously. CBC will not wait for the completion of a criminal investigation in order to respond although CBC will pause the administrative investigation while law enforcement conducts initial fact finding. CBC will, in extraordinary circumstances, proceed despite law enforcement fact finding where a threat to safety of the complainant or other community members exists. 

What to do if you have been sexually assaulted? 

The first priority for a victim of sexual assault is to get to a place of safety, then obtain necessary medical treatment. If the assault occurred on campus, notify the Title IX Coordinator. Other campus personnel such as faculty and staff may assist in reporting the sexual assault to the Title IX Coordinator and/or the local Police Department if the victim so desires. If the assault occurred outside of the college, the local police department where the assault occurred should be called and may be reached by dialing 911. Time is a critical factor for evidence collection and preservation. Filing a police report with the Police Department will not obligate the victim to prosecute, nor will it subject the victim to scrutiny or judgmental opinions from officers. Filing a police report will ensure that a victim of sexual assault receives the necessary medical treatment and tests, at no expense to the victim; provide the opportunity for additional community resources and collection of evidence helpful in prosecution, which cannot be obtained later (ideally a victim of sexual assault should not wash, douche, use the toilet, or change clothing prior to a medical/legal exam); and assure the victim has access to free community resources including: confidential counseling from counselors specifically trained in the area of sexual assault crisis intervention.