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California State University, Chico

For Complainants

The CSU prohibits protected status discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, a prohibited consensual relationship, or related retaliation. If you have been impacted and are unsure what options you have, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Dispute Resolution is here to help you.

  • Policy And Procedures

    The Title IX process typically involves filing a complaint, investigating the allegations, holding a hearing if needed, and reaching a determination based on the evidence.

  • Supportive Measures and Resources

    You don’t have to bear the burden alone. EODR offers resources connections to on- and off-campus resources for those who may have been impacted by Title IX/DHR.

Your emotional health is important. Sexual Assault Advocates are confidential and available to assist victims/survivors of sexual assault.

Confidentiality Note: Communications with sexual assault advocates are protected by state law per California Evidence Code Section §§1035.

Sexual assault advocates are here to support you by providing the following:

  • Confidential, non-judgmental support
  • Information about rights and options to help someone make an informed decision
  • Help with reporting sexual assault to law enforcement, including in-person accompaniments to the police station (the same support is also available for those reporting sexual misconduct to the Title IX office)
  • Information and accompaniments to sexual assault forensic exams (SAFEs) and other medical options
  • Sexual assault advocates are available on campus and at community-based sexual assault/rape crisis centers

Note: If a campus-based sexual assault advocate cannot be reached, you may contact a community-based sexual assault/rape crisis center for immediate assistance. Community-based sexual assault counselors/advocates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling a hotline, provided below.

CSU Chico Sexual Assault Counselors/Advocates

Campus-Based

Services provided to all students, staff, and faculty regardless of when/where the harm occurred.

Services:

  • Confidential services for individuals impacted by sexual assault, intimate partner abuse, sexual exploitation, stalking, and harassment through advocacy, prevention education, and linkage to services on and off campus
  • Support and accompaniments throughout all stages of law enforcement and/or campus' investigation and discipline proceedings
  • Support and accompaniments to sexual assault forensic examinations and other medical care
  • Support and accompaniments to legal appointments, court hearings, and assistance with obtaining restraining orders
  • Assistance with seeking reasonable and available academic, workplace, housing, and administrative relief
  • Crisis intervention counseling and ongoing emotional support
  • Information about options, victim/survivor rights, and other appropriate resources
  • Safety planning

Community-Based

Services provided to all local campus and community members.

  • Department/Organization: Catalyst Domestic Violence Service
  • Contact Information:
  • Location: 330 Wall Street, Suite 50
  • Hours: Monday–Sunday, 24 hours a day
  • Website: https://catalystdvsv.org/

Services:

  • Crisis intervention
  • 24/7 hotline staffed by sexual assault counselors/advocates
  • Individual mental health counseling
  • Group counseling/support groups
  • 24-hour advocacy and accompaniments to hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and court proceedings
  • Information and referrals
  • Community education programs
  • Safe housing
  • Drop-in services
  • Prevention and outreach
  • Support for survivors

National Sexual Assault Hotline

Hotline staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via a national sexual assault hotline. Hotline staff can be contacted via phone at 800-656-4673, or online chat at their website - www.rainn.org.

  • Please note when calling the hotline your call will be directed to a local provider based on the area code of the phone number you are calling from. If you are geographically located in an area different than the area code of the phone number you are calling from, hotline staff can still offer you support but may not have information regarding resources in your location. If this is your situation, please call the 24/7 hotline at the sexual assault/rape crisis center nearest you.

Additional Options for Support: There are many people ready to help and resources in place to support you. Additional resources for support are available and include but are not limited to, mental health counseling and psychological services on-campus or community-based, your campus Title IX office, and the CSU’s employee assistance program (EAP) are also available.

A law enforcement officer can take a report, help access confidential support, and provide access to medical care such as after a sexual assault. Police departments are available for response 24/7. Please contact the appropriate police department either in person or via telephone. Depending on where the crime occurred, will depend on which agency you contact. If you are having difficulty with this, ANY agency will assist you.

Sexual assaults can be reported at any time (immediately following, days or years after the incident). Statutes of limitations vary, depending on the type of crime/sexual assault and by state. The evidence available, investigations and treatment options may also be impacted by the length of time that has passed since the assault. A sexual assault counselor/advocate or law enforcement can provide you with specific information related to these factors.

Deciding to report a sexual assault to law enforcement is a very private and personal decision. It's ok to report to police, not report, or not knowing if one wants to report. A sexual assault counselor/advocate can provide all information about reporting options so the victim/survivor can make an informed decision.

University Police Department

  • Coverage Area: Incidents that occurred on-campus
  • Contact Information:
  • Location: Parking Structure II, Room 101
    Corner of W. 2nd & Chestnut Street
  • Hours: Monday–Sunday, 24 hours a day
  • Website: www.csuchico.edu/up

Chico Police Department

Butte County Sheriff's Office
Main Phone/Dispatch 530-538-7322.

More Information

Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) (also known as “rape kits")
A sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) could be used to collect DNA evidence if the assault occurred within 120 hours. Specialized sexual assault nurse examiners collect samples from a victim/survivor that may contain DNA evidence to help a potential prosecution.

A victim/survivor has the right to have a support person with them and can say no to any part of the exam.

Note about at-home rape kits: Although well-intentioned, evidence from at home “rape kits" may not be admissible for evidence.

Two Types of Exams

If a person decides they want a SAFE, the sexual assault counselor/advocate can provide more detailed information and help coordinate response with police and the SAFE nurse.

1. VAWA Exam

  • Report Requirement: Does not require police report.
  • Who Helps Access Exam: This option is available through your campus sexual assault counselor/advocate as well as your local sexual assault/rape crisis center.
  • Who Are Exams For: These exams may be appropriate for those that are not ready to speak to and involve law enforcement. Evidence from VAWA exams in California must be preserved for two years in the event that a victim/survivor does want to engage with law enforcement.
  • Level of Police Involvement: Police officers will not take a report and should not engage with the victim/survivor. However, the police department will collect the evidence kit and store it until (and if) the victim/survivor decides to file a police report/criminal charge.

2. Evidentiary Exam

  • Report Requirement: Requires police report.
  • Who Helps Access Exam: A police officer will schedule the exam.
  • Who Are Exams For: These exams are appropriate for those that would like immediate law enforcement involvement. Evidentiary exams are intended to collect forensic evidence for use in criminal prosecution. An evidentiary exam is an option available by filing a report with law enforcement.
  • Level of Police Involvement:
    • Take a police report by interviewing the victim/survivor and possibly any friends/witnesses
    • Coordinate and schedule the SAFE
    • Provide transportation to the SAFE location
    • Contact a sexual assault counselor/advocate to provide emotional support during the process

Preserving clothing with potential DNA evidence

Necessary evidence could be present in the clothes someone wore during the assault — this evidence can be preserved by being stored in paper bags (mold grows in plastic bags.) If the person decides to file a police report or obtain a sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE), the clothes can be provided to them for evidence collection.

More information about sexual assault forensic exams:

It is ok if someone does not wish to file a police report or get a sexual assault forensic exam. That said, depending on the nature of the assault, it may still be important to obtain medical care to address potential injuries, exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STI's), or if there may be a risk of pregnancy.

A sexual assault counselor/advocate can help explore and address issues such as resources to help pay for medical care and confidentiality.

Note: Emergency contraceptives are also available at local pharmacies without prescription.

Options for Medical Care

Sexual Assault Forensic Exam

CSU, Chico WellCat Health Center

Enloe Medical Center Emergency & Trauma Care

Oroville Hospital Emergency Care

Planned Parenthood

Note: Per California Penal Code §11160, all medical providers in California are required to notify law enforcement when they are treating a physical injury caused by abuse.

A sexual assault counselor/advocate can help someone navigate any potential report made by a medical provider.