Get away from the alleged offender as soon as possible. A safe place might be a friend's house, a domestic violence or sexual assault shelter or a police station. Call 911 to connect with local law enforcement agencies or medical professionals.
If a crime of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking has occurred, victims are encouraged to follow the below procedures.
Get away from the alleged offender as soon as possible. A safe place might be a friend's house, a domestic violence or sexual assault shelter or a police station. Call 911 to connect with local law enforcement agencies or medical professionals.
Talk to someone you trust for support. This may be a friend, loved one, neighbor, co-worker, mentor, religious or spiritual adviser. You may also speak confidentially to an advocate from Safe Passage (DeKalb County’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Center) or NIU’s confidential advisor.
It is important to preserve evidence that may assist in proving that the offense occurred. Physical evidence may also be helpful in obtaining a protection order.
If you have been sexually assaulted, it is advisable not to bathe, wash your hands, use the restroom, shower, drink, smoke, brush your teeth, or change clothing. Any clothing removed should be placed in a paper bag and can be brought unwashed to the hospital or police department. You may obtain a forensic examination (often referred to as a sexual assault kit or rape kit) at a hospital to collect evidence. Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital (1 Kish Hospital Dr., DeKalb) has nurses who are trained to complete forensic exams.
You are also encouraged to preserve evidence by saving text/social media messages, phone call logs, pictures, and other copies of documents related to the crime that occurred. If you have physical injuries, photograph them or have them photographed, with a date stamp on the photo. Try to memorize details (e.g., physical description, names, location, etc.), or even better, write notes to remind you of details, if you have time and the ability to do so.
Seek medical attention if you are injured. For severe injuries call 911 immediately. Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital provides emergency room medical services. If you need transportation, the NIU Police are able to assist. Alternative medical services are also provided on campus by Northwestern Medicine Student Health Center at NIU.
You have several options for reporting the incident, as listed below. It is your decision whether to report the incident or not.
You may report the incident to the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction:
You may also file a sexual misconduct report or complaint with the university electronically at go.niu.edu/file-misconduct or by contacting the Title IX Coordinator, 815-753-5560, titleixcoordinator@niu.edu, Health Services Building, Second Floor, Room 230. Learn more about Your Rights and Options.
You may confidentially report the incident to one of the following:
A confidential report to one of the above resources means that they cannot disclose the information you tell them to anyone else, unless you consent to them doing so. A confidential report will not result in a university or police investigation.
If you would like assistance in notifying a law enforcement agency or filing a report or complaint with the university, you may contact one of the above confidential resources.
If you have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, NIU can provide supportive measures such as changes to your academic, living, transportation, and working situations or protective measures. Examples include:
The university must provide requested supportive measures so long they are reasonably available, regardless of whether the victim chooses to report the crime to campus police or local law enforcement. The university will maintain as confidential any supportive measures provided to a student or employee, to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality would not impair the ability of the university to provide the supportive measures. For example, if a requested supportive measure is the issuance of a campus no-contact order, the alleged offender will be notified of the order and who requested it.
To request supportive measures, contact the Title IX Coordinator at 815-753-5560 or titleixcoordinator@niu.edu.
Victims of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking have the right to request an order of protection, whether through the university or the court system. Different types of orders are discussed below.
Campus no contact orders: the university may issue a campus no contact order between members of the campus community. A no contact order may be issued regardless of whether a complaint or report has been filed with the university or police. If the university receives information that a campus no contact order has been violated, the university will initiate disciplinary proceedings and impose sanctions if the accused is found responsible for violating the no contact order. To request a no contact order, contact the Title IX Coordinator, 815-753-5560, titleixcoordinator@niu.edu, Health Services Building, second floor, Room 230.
Court orders of protection: an order of protection, restraining order, stalking no contact order, and other similar orders may also be petitioned for in criminal, civil or tribal court. The university cannot apply for one of these orders on behalf of a victim. The victim must apply for the order. To learn more about the different types of orders, contact NIU's Confidential Advisor or Safe Passage. To obtain an order:
NIU complies with Illinois law in recognizing orders or protection entered by a court. The NIU Department of Police and Public safety will arrest persons who are in violation of such an order if the violation occurs on campus. Any person who obtains such an order should notify the NIU Department of Police and Public Safety and contact the Title IX Coordinator to coordinate services and additional assistance. Individuals whom an order of protection has been filed against may also contact the Title IX Coordinator for assistance.
A safety plan is a tool to help you think about what you can do to protect yourself and prepare for the possibility of further abuse or violence. A safety plan may include some of the following:
For assistance in developing a safety plan, contact Safe Passage to meet with an advocate or contact NIU's confidential advisor.