How to file a report

Follow the steps below to file a report of sexual violence/assault/harassment with St. Ambrose University:

Step 1

Contact the SAU security office at 563-333-6104 or 911 from a campus phone.

Step 2

A lead officer will meet with you to write down facts and create an incident report.

• We will begin by affirming that we believe the information you are about to share with us.
• You may have someone with you to provide support.
• You may request the Davenport Police Department to also take a report at that time.
• You will be notified of your rights and the options you have in the campus process.
• You will be offered awareness of support services and have questions answered.

Step 3

Shortly after the incident report is filed, Security and Dean of Students administrators will determine if they have a legal and/or moral duty to report this incident (anonymously/in general terms) to the campus community.

• This is a federal requirement of the Campus SaVE Act, an extension of the Clery Act. The intention is never to compromise your confidentiality but rather to ensure that the community is made aware of any on-going threat of sexual assault.
• You will be informed as to how a decision is made and what the determination is about the decision to report this incident campus-wide.

Step 4

The investigation begins. This process can take 2-4 weeks.

• An investigator will be assigned to lead the investigation.
• A series of questions to determine what policy violations have occurred.
• The respondent (person accused) and any witnesses will also be interviewed.
• At the conclusion of the investigation, you will be asked to write a Victim Impact Statement. This statement will give administrators an understanding of how the described event has affected and impacted your life.
• For more information on the policy and process see the SAU Student Handbook 2024-25.

Step 5

After the investigation is completed a decision is made as to whether the University has a preponderance of evidence that a policy violation has occurred.

• If the respondent accepts responsibility for this violation and agrees that they did perpetrate an act of sexual violence, an administrative hearing in which they agree to the policy violations and establish agreed upon sanctions from the university may be implemented.
• If the respondent does not agree with the charges or accept responsibility for the violation a student conduct review hearing may be requested.
• A Student Conduct Review Hearing is facilitated by three administrative staff members.
  • In this process, the respondent has the right to ask the complainant questions.
  • We conduct the hearing in the safest way possible, including offering separate venues for delivering testimony so that each person in the complaint is not required to be in the same room.
  • A support advocate is available to all individuals throughout the entire process.

Please see the SAU Student Handbook 2023-24 for Conduct Review Hearing procedures.

What to do if an assault occurs

Many students do not know where to turn for help or what steps to take after an assault has been committed. Although the choices about which option to explore rest solely with the affected student, St. Ambrose encourages students to take the following steps:

1. Get to a safe place as soon as possible.
2. Immediately contact Campus Security (911 from any campus phone) or find someone you trust and knows how to help you. Maybe a room mate, RA, or Sexual Assault Advocate.
3. Victims of sexual assault are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical attention, available 24 hours at Genesis West or Genesis East Hospitals (421-1000), or at another medical facility.

If at all possible, do not change clothes, shower, bathe, douche, or urinate. Emergency room personnel are trained to check for injuries, as well as collect the physical evidence necessary for the proof of criminal sexual assault, should you decide to pursue charges through the Davenport Police Department. Please be aware that hospital personnel are obligated to contact both the police and the QC Rape/Sexual Assault Counseling & Advocacy Program (R/SACAP).

Although you are not obligated to do so, victims or sexual assault are highly encouraged to take advantage of R/SACAP's free and confidential services to help you understand your options for off-campus proceedings and to receive counseling specific to your needs. Additionally, you may choose to speak with an outside advocate through Family Resources.

What is my friend is a victim?

If you know someone who has been raped, here are some ways you can help.

• Be supportive. Do not blame the victim. They did not ask to be assaulted.
• Listen. Respond to what she says she needs-not what you think she needs.
• Support her in calling a rape crisis center and getting medical attention.
• Offer to help make phone calls for her. Offer to drive her to the hospital, police station and rape crisis center.
• Offer to stay with her during the medical examination and interviews.

What if I am a male victim?

As a man, you can be sexually assaulted by an acquaintance. You may be pressured or forced into unwanted sex by a friend, relative, date or other acquaintance. If this happens to you, you are entitled to the same services and legal remedies as any other victim.

If you are sexually assaulted, you may fear that your masculinity is in question. You may ask: Why couldn't I protect myself? Has this ever happened to any other man? If the attacker is a female, you may fear that no one would believe your story or that you would be laughed at.It's important to remember that sexual assault is a crime. You are not at fault. You are entitled to support--to medical care, legal assistance and counseling. You may want to call a rape crisis center for help in getting these services.