EVMS’ first priority in any matter of sexual assault is to address the immediate needs of the individual. If you have been sexually assaulted (or you are helping someone who has) you should:
- Get to a safe place as fast as you can and call 911 or EVMS Police and Public Safety at 446-5911 and/or call a trusted friend or family member.
- Remember that even if you do not have a support system here, you are not alone and can use our Confidential Resources to find someone who has experience with helping individuals in your situation.
- Go to your nearest hospital emergency room and be examined and, in the case of a rape, have a forensic exam conducted. While at the hospital, you can contact the police if you have not done so already.
- Consider filing a protective order
EVMS has an MOU with the South Hampton Roads YWCA to provide crisis services for EVMS students and employees. Men, women, and LGBTQ individuals of all ages, races, cultures, and economic backgrounds are encouraged to use the hotline if you have been a victim of sexual assault and they can help with all of the above. You can contact them at:
Once you have addressed your immediate needs, you should know that:
- Resources to help you (mental health services, victim support services, shelters, and other hotlines) can be found on our list of Confidential Resources.
- You have the right to bring criminal charges against your attacker and are encouraged to talk to EVMS Police or a Title IX Coordinator about options for investigation and prosecution.
- If you choose not to bring criminal charges, you still have the right to ask EVMS to take formal actions against the perpetrator (e.g. if they are an EVMS student, EVMS faculty member, etc.) by filing a formal Title IX Complaint in accordance with the Policy on Resolution of Allegations of Sexual Harassment.
- If you do not want to file a formal Title IX complaint, but want access to supportive resources, please contact a Title IX Coordinator.
- If you do not want to be identified as a reporter, you can make an anonymous report online by using the EVMS compliance reporting hotline or by phone at 1-800-461-9330. This hotline is manned by a 3rd party vendor and not by anyone from EVMS. Please be aware, however, that EVMS’ response is limited if you make an anonymous report and EVMS will not be able to provide you with supportive resources.
- For more information about Title IX, please visit our Title IX web pages.
Student Sexual Violence – Sexual Violence Review Committee
In accordance with Virginia law, whenever the Institutional Title IX Coordinator is notified of an actual or alleged act of sexual violence against an EVMS student (regardless of whether it occurs on or off the EVMS campus**), the Institutional Title IX Coordinator must convene the Sexual Violence Review Committee, which consists of the EVMS Institutional Title IX Coordinator, the EVMS Chief of Police or designee, and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or designee.
The Sexual Violence Review Committee will, within 72 hours of notice by the Institutional Title IX Coordinator, meet, discuss the particulars of the sexual violence report, and assess the risk to the victim (and/or others on the EVMS Campus). The Sexual Violence Review Committee shall have all the powers of threat assessment teams as set forth in § 23-9.2:10 of the Code of Virginia and may obtain criminal history and health record information as necessary in order to make a determination about risk to the EVMS Community.
If the risk rises to the level of being a health or safety emergency, as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), or if the Sexual Violence Review Committee, cannot reach an agreement about the level of risk, the allegations will be disclosed to the law enforcement agency that would be responsible for investigation of the allegations (unless such agency is located outside of the United States). Upon such disclosure, the Institutional Title IX Coordinator, or designee, shall notify the victim that the disclosure was made.
In cases in which the alleged act of sexual violence would constitute a felony violation of Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, the EVMS Chief of Police or designee shall inform the other members of the review committee and shall, within 24 hours, consult with the attorney for the Commonwealth or other prosecutor responsible for prosecuting the alleged act of sexual violence and provide to such person the information received by the review committee without disclosing personally identifiable information, unless such information was disclosed to law enforcement as above. In the event that personally identifiable information is disclosed to the Commonwealth’s Attorney or other prosecutor, the Institutional Title IX Coordinator, or designee, shall notify the victim that the disclosure was made.
In addition to the procedures listed above, SMART, EVMS Police and Public Safety and the Institutional Title IX Coordinator will continue to investigate to take action on the matter as it relates to their responsibilities under EVMS Policy, Title IX and/or any other state or federal laws.