Sexual Misconduct Resources
There are many resources, most of which are free of charge, available to CU students, faculty, and staff to help with stressful or difficult situations related to experiences of sexual misconduct. These offices can provide additional support related to your concern(s), i.e. assist you in exploring your reporting options, provide prevention education tools, etc. Please note that campus resources that are not confidential are required to comply with mandatory obligations to report.
The Phoenix Center at Auraria | Anschutz (PCA)
The Phoenix Center at Auraria and the Phoenix Center at Anschutz (PCAs) serve students, staff, and faculty associated with CU Denver, CU Anschutz, Community College of Denver, and Metropolitan State University Denver.
The PCAs provide free, confidential resources and assistance to survivors of interpersonal violence (relationship violence, sexual violence, and stalking), as well as their friends, families, and concerned others; services are provided to all regardless of race, ethnicity, color, biological sex, national origin, age, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, mental health status, and/or veteran status.
The PCAs support services include academic advocacy, assistance reporting to the school and/or law enforcement at the survivor’s request, safety planning, court accompaniment, emotional support, and more. The PCAs also provide campus education and training, awareness-raising events, and campus policy guidance.
The PCAs do not provide long-term counseling or legal advice. If you are in need of counseling or legal resources, please call the PCA office affiliated with your respective campus for a referral.
If you are not an Auraria or Anschutz student, staff, or faculty member, see the community resources provided below.
Dating/Domestic Violence Resources
211 is a comprehensive source of located curated social services information in the U.S. and most of Canada; helpful resource if you are not sure where to turn but are experiencing a crisis or are worried about someone who might be.
- Phone: 24/7 at 211
Collaborating, educating, and advocating to end domestic violence and sexual assault in the Colorado Deaf community.
- 24 Hour Crisis Line: 303.831.7874
- DOVE Email: hotline@deafdove.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Phone: 800.799.SAFE (7233)
- TTY: 800.787.3224
Rose Andom Center is a place for domestic violence victims to find safety, support, and services needed to rebuild their lives and heal their families.
- Physical Location: 1330 Fox St. Denver, CO 80204
- Phone: 720.337.4400
Violence Free Colorado is Colorado's domestic violence coalition. They work with hundreds of organizations and individuals in local communities across the state to prevent and end relationship violence, and support those affected by relationship abuse.
- Physical Location:1330 Fox Street, Suite 3 P.O. Box 40328 Denver, CO 80204
- Phone: 303.831.9632
- Toll-Free: 888.778.7091
- Fax: 303.832.7067
- Violence Free Colorado Email: info@violencefreeco.org
Translation and interpretation services available.
Reporting to the Police
At any time, you can call 911 and tell the operator that you need to report an incident of domestic violence.
If you are not in immediate danger, you can also call the non-emergency line for the police in the jurisdiction where the violence occurred. For instance, if you live in Aurora but you were assaulted in Denver, you should call the Denver police. On the non-emergency line you can set up a time to talk to a detective to give your statement.
- Can I report to both the university and the police? Absolutely! We work hard to collaborate with our local police whenever possible and with your permission. If you report to both, please let the police know that you are a student and want to report to us as well.
Protection Orders
Protection orders, sometimes called restraining orders, are a court order telling a person or persons to not contact you. Typically the order will specify locations the restrained party cannot go such as your house and your work. It will often usually include a distance range, such as 50 feet, should you see each other in public. Protection orders also specify no electronic contact (phone calls, texts, Facebook, etc.) or contact through a third party (sending a message through a mutual friend).
If someone violates a protection order, there can be serious consequences including potential jail time.
A protection order may be a good tool for ending a domestic violence relationship and/or stalking, and extends further than a No Contact Order we can issue on campus. It does not require a lawyer, but it is a number of steps and forms so it is best to prepare in advance and consider bringing a support person like a friend or a victim’s advocate from the PCA with you.
Review this step-by-step guide to obtain a Temporary Protection Order, which is the first step in a two part process for obtaining a permanent protection order.
Visit Violence Free Colorado for a comprehensive list of all DV programs/shelters etc. in your area.
Alternatives to Violence (Commerce City)
- 24 Hour Crisis Line: 303.289.4441
A Women’s Place (Greeley)
- Phone: 970.356.4226
Crossroads (Fort Collins)
- Phone: 970.482.3502
Gateway Domestic Violence Resources (Aurora)
- 24 Hour Crisis Line: 303.343.1851
SafeHouse Denver (Denver)
- 24 Hour Crisis Line: 303.318.9989
Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (Boulder)
- 24 Hour Crisis Line: 303.444.2424
Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley (Longmont)
- 24 Hour Crisis Line: 303.772.4422
General, Sexual Exploitation, & State/Federal Compliance Resources
Sexual Assault Resources
The Blue Bench offers counseling and support around sexual assault. Their support includes the availability of volunteers to accompany someone who experienced sexual assault to a hospital for a medical forensic exam.
- Phone: 24/7 at 303.322.7273
MESA provides support and advocacy for those who have experienced sexual assault in the Boulder area.
The WINGS Foundation provides education, advocacy and support to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, their loved ones, providers and communities.
- Phone: 303.238.8660
Translation and interpretation services available.
A Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE), also sometimes called a “rape kit,” is an exam performed at a hospital or other healthcare facility by a Sexual Assault Nurse, a Sexual Assault Forensic Nurse, or another medical professional.
The exam will take about three-four hours and will involve collecting medical history, conducting a detailed medical examination and speaking to you about treatment options for things such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), prophylaxis, follow-ups, counseling, community resources, and other resources.
Remember you have the right to accept or decline any or all parts of the exam. However, an exam must be completed once it is started and cannot be completed on two occasions.
How do I prepare for the exam?
If you can, it’s best to avoid using the restroom, changing clothes, combing your hair, cleaning up the place where it happened or even showering or bathing before arrival. (Note that you can still receive a SAFE kit even if you have used the restroom, changed clothes, showered, etc.) Preserving DNA evidence can be key to identifying the perpetrator in a sexual assault case. If you have anything by way of evidence you want to show the police or your health care provider, place it in a paper, not plastic, bag. If you are able, bring a change of clothes with you to the health facility or hospital.
If I go to the hospital, do I have to report to the police?
No, unless you are under the age of 18. If you are over the age of 18, in the state of Colorado, you have the option to receive the exam without making a police report. By law the police will be called to the hospital, but you can simply tell the nurse that you don’t want to speak to them and they will leave. In Colorado you can also have your evidence collected anonymously, so your name won’t even be on the kit. Out of any of these options, you can always change your mind later and decide to report to the police. It may be helpful to have time to decide if you want to, but this way the evidence will be collected in case. Note that at-risk elders do not have access to anonymous reporting. Learn more about SANE reporting options in Colorado.
How long after the assault can I get the exam?
Evidence collection as well as pregnancy and STI prevention are most effective soonest. Getting your exam within 48 hours of the assault is the ideal time frame; however, evidence can be collected over a week later in some cases. What is most important is you getting the medical care that you need, so even if it has been longer than a week you can still get an exam.
How much will the exam cost?
Nothing! Under the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005, victims of sexual assault have access to an exam free of charge or with a full reimbursement, even if the victim decides not to report to the police. If you receive a bill in the mail, there is paperwork you can submit for state funds to cover the exam costs. If you choose to report to the police, they will cover the cost of your exam.
What else should I know about the exam?
- Included in your exam, some hospitals but not all, can provide medications to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you know that the person assaulted you has an STI, be sure to tell your medical provider. If you aren’t sure, you will be offered treatment against a variety of infections.
- If you are capable of becoming pregnant, most but not all hospitals with SANE programs can include and Plan B. If you are interested in Plan B during your exam, visit a hospital that offers it to save yourself a trip to a separate pharmacy.
- If you have children, anticipate making childcare arrangements as a forensic exam can take a long while.
Please view this document to find a list of all SANE locations in Colorado.