Confidential Advisors

A confidential advisor is an individual designated as a resource to provide support and assistance to students, faculty, and staff members before and/or during a sexual misconduct complaint process.  Communications with confidential advisors are deemed to be confidential and will be kept as such, except in circumstances where disclosure by the University or advisor may be required by state and/or federal laws. Confidential advisors may be present during any meeting conducted under PM-73 (Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy) to assist and/consult with a student or employee. Confidential advisors may not act as a spokesperson.

• Complainant & Respondent Information
• Responsible Employee Information
• Consent
• Bystander Intervention

Medical Options:

The first 96 hours after an assault are critical to the preservation and collection of forensic evidence. It is also a critical time for medical treatment for potential pregnancy or transmission of infections. Survivors are often scared to have the forensic exam because they are unsure about what will happen, particularly regarding filing a police report and pressing charges. However, without a forensic exam conducted in the first 96 hours, crucial evidence could be lost and the survivor's legal case may be significantly weakened. A police report will be taken at the time of the exam and the state will follow through with investigating the crime. If a survivor is unsure about whether or not to press charges, the state will hold the forensic evidence for 30 days. 

To preserve the physical evidence:

• Do not bathe or douche.
• Do not brush teeth or ingest food/beverages.

Do not change clothes if possible and do not wash the clothes worn at the time of the assault. Those clothes are considered forensic evidence and will be collected by the forensic examiner at the hospital. If a survivor doesn't want to wear those clothes to the hospital, s/he can take them to the hospital in a paper bag. Do not use a plastic bag because it may "break down" evidence.

To preserve the crime scene:
The space where the assault occurred is considered a crime scene. The police will gather additional evidence from the scene once charges are filed. If the assault occurred in a residence hall or other building on campus. Housing relocation is an option for any survivor who lives on-campus. 

Non-Forensic Care:
It is recommended that a survivor get medical attention even if s/he decides not to have a forensic exam. The survivor may seek treatment through her/his private physician or the Student Health Center. Treatment options can include emergency contraception and testing/treatment for potential sexually transmitted infections. 

Legal Options:
Sexual Assault Survivors have the option of processing their case through the civil and/or criminal judicial system. Cases can be processed through each system concurrently or separately. To prosecute a sexual assault or dating violence crime or to get a protective order through the civil or criminal system, it's best to consult with law enforcement.

University Judicial System:
The University Judicial system is designed to be educational in nature and can only affect the accused student's status as a University student. A student who is found in violation of Student code of conduct cannot be sent to jail through the University judicial process.  However, the student can potentially be suspended or expelled, among other sanctions, if found responsible for violating any University Policies. 

To file a complaint, contact the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. A formal complaint must be filed in order for the University to investigate the allegation. However, a survivor may meet with any of the confidential advisors to ask questions without filing a formal complaint. 

Non-Discrimination Statement 

Louisiana State University of Alexandria does not discriminate on the basis or race, color, creed, or religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, age, genetics information, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other non-merit fact in the admission to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities which the University operates.