Victim Advocacy

After being victimized, one of the last things a victim may want to do is report the incident. Reporting can be difficult, tedious and feel like a further violation. Yet, there are many good reasons to report. Reporting may help in overall recovery, feelings of personal safety and the ability to regain control over life.

How to report:

Reporting to local law enforcement
Tampa Police Department (813) 231-6130 has jurisdiction for crimes occurring on-campus or, for crimes occurring outside the Tampa city limits, Hillsborough County Sheriff, (813) 247-8200.

Filing a student conduct report if the attacker was or is also a student.
See Article 6 – Sexual Misconduct or Article 7 – Personal Abuse of the student conduct code for specific information. To file a report, contact the Student Conduct Office at (813) 258-7228 or via email at conduct@ut.edu.

Filing a Title IX (9) complaint
All students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to file a complaint of sexual misconduct and relationship violence in any of the following ways:

• by contacting the Title IX (9) coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinator listed below;
• by filing an incident report on the Office of Student Conduct website by utilizing the Public Report Form;
• by reporting to any responsible employee or campus security authority;
• by consenting to a confidential employee to share information with the Title IX (9) coordinator or deputy Title IX (9) coordinator.

Title IX (9) Coordinator
Taylor Parker
Human Resources
Southard Family Building 276
Phone: (813) 257-3947
tsparker@ut.edu

Title IX (9) Deputy Coordinator for Students
Tim Nelson, Director of Student Conduct
Office of Student Conduct
Vaughn Center 202
Phone: (813) 258-7228
tnelson@ut.edu
*Incidents involving students only

Title IX (9) Deputy Coordinator for Athletics
Jennifer Alger, Assistant Athletic Director, Academic and Student Services/Senior Woman Administrator
Athletics
Martinez Athletic Center 126
Phone: (813) 257-3808
jalger@ut.edu
*Incidents involving student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff

Title IX (9) Deputy Coordinator for Academic Affairs
Tyler Hodges, Director of DEI Training and Community Support
Plant Hall, Room 235
(813) 257-3147
thodges@ut.edu
*Incidents involving faculty

Confidential Reporting

Recognizing the unique needs of victims, The University of Tampa has two areas that are designated as confidential reporters for sexual and relationship violence. Those two areas are victim advocacy and campus counseling services. Discussions with staff members serving in these areas will not be considered a report to the University regarding the problematic behavior and therefore will not, without additional action by the student, result in further action by the University. Reports made to victim advocates will be forwarded with no personal identifying information to the Department of Campus Safety for counting in mandatory Clery crime statistics, if applicable.

Personal safety is always a priority but is particularly important after being a victim of a crime. The University offers many options for students who have concerns for their safety.

1. A no-contact order between students may be issued by the Office of Student Conduct.
2. On-campus housing assignments may be changed or an individual’s access to certain halls may be restricted.
3. Course sections may be changed.
4. The student escort service, the LASER team, is available for a golf cart escort around campus.

Students are encouraged to contact the Department of Campus Safety, a resident assistant and/or a campus victim advocate.

It is important to preserve evidence of any offense – it may be necessary proof to obtain a protection order or to prosecute the offender.

1. Sexual Assault
   1. Forensic evidence collection is best done within 72 hours of the assault and best collected immediately following an assault. The state of Florida will collect evidence up to 120 hours following an assault; however, it is important to remember that the more time passes between the sexual assault and collecting the evidence, the less likely it will be to collect physical evidence that may be very important to the prosecution of a criminal case.
   2. To preserve evidence in the case of sexual assault, it is recommended that you do not shower or bathe, wash your hands, use the toilet, douche, eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth, change clothing, or wash clothing or bedding before a medical exam. Even if you have already taken any of these actions, evidence may still be collected, and you are encouraged to have prompt medical care.
   3. If you wish to make a report to the police, or if you wish to have evidence collected so you can make this decision later, you may seek services by calling the Tampa Police Department (813) 231-6130 or the Department of Campus Safety (813) 257-7777 and requesting transportation to the Crisis Center or contacting the Crisis Center of Hillsborough directly at (813) 234-1234. The Crisis Center facilitates sexual assault forensic examinations for the city of Tampa.
   4. It is preferred that a police department facilitates the collection of forensic evidence on site. However, if you are not sure if you would like to report to the police or if it has been longer than 72 hours after the assault, you may wish to gather all clothing and bedding that may be used for evidence and place them into a clean paper bag or clean sheet. Items should be stored at room temperature that will not damage evidence. The Victim Advocate program at UT can provide replacement bedding by calling their hotline at (813) 257-3900.
2. Dating or Domestic Violence
   • In the case of dating violence and domestic violence, the resource you choose to report the crime to (a doctor, the police, an advocate, etc.) may recommend ways to preserve evidence such as logging incidents, photographing injuries, seeking medical care, etc.
3. Stalking
   • Stalking is demonstrated through a pattern of unwanted contact. Find out how to document stalking. In addition to logging unwanted contact, an advocate or police officer may recommend you save and photograph unwanted text messages, emails, letters and gifts, and store them in a secure location.

Adapted from: https://www.boisestate.edu/publicsafety-emergencymanagement/ioem/emergencyprocedures/report-sexual-assault-dating-violence-stalking/

• UT Victim Advocacy Flyer
• The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay
  Phone: (813) 964-1964 or 211
• National Center for Victims of Crime
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network)
• Stalking Resource Center
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• Florida Council Against Sexual Violence
• Identity Theft Resource Center
  Phone: (888) 400-5530
• National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
• National Legal Hotline for Victims
  Phone: 567-SHATTER or (567) 742-8837
• National Advocacy for Local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-affected (LGBTQH) Communities
  Phone: (212) 714-1141
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  Phone: (800) 799-7233 or (800) 787-3224 (TTY)