Options

Speak with an advocate & learn your options/rights

Advocates at RVAP support and believe anyone impacted by sexual violence confidentially and free of cost. This includes victim-survivors, loved ones or witnesses. 

Advocates can help explain reporting options and procedures, answer questions, advocate for accommodations, and accompany you during meetings, interviews and other college/university proceedings. Call our support line at 319-335-6000 or 1-800-228-1625 to speak with an advocate.

Report to your institution

If you experienced sexual violence on campus, at a hosted event or by someone affiliated with your institution (fellow student, faculty, staff), you may be able to report what happened to your college/university. Reporting procedures vary by college/university and are separate from reporting to police.

Typically, you can learn more about your reporting options and/or make a report to your institution's coordinator or office that is charged with handling sexual misconduct or Title IX complaints. Please note that officials charged with responding to sexual violence are not confidential. After a report is made, your college/university may take interim safety measures (e.g., temporarily removing a perpetrator from a common class) and begin an internal investigation to find whether or not the perpetrator violated a institutional policy. The next steps are based on the investigation's finding. You can find out more information about your rights under Title IX here. If you're a University of Iowa student, the The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) takes sexual misconduct complaints from students and helps facilitate accommodations for survivors.

Seek accommodations

If you experienced sexual violence on campus, at a hosted event or by someone affiliated with your institution (fellow student, faculty, staff), you may be able to seek safety and academic accommodations through your college/university. Where you request accommodations is different for each institution. You may be able to seek accommodations through your institution's coordinator or office that is charged with handling sexual misconduct or Title IX complaints.  Please note that officials charged with responding to sexual violence are not confidential and may have to begin an investigation without your consent. If you are unsure where to go, call RVAP and we can assist you confidentially. 

If you are not sure who the perpetrator is, did not experience sexual violence on campus or by someone affiliated with your institution, contact RVAP and we can assist you confidentially. 

Review your institution's policy

Each college/university should have a policy that outlines what sexual violence is and the procedures involved in reporting. This can typically be found on your college/university's website and/or student handbook.