How to Report
Whether you choose to go through this process alone or with support, it’s important to be informed about how to report and what it’ll mean for you.
1
Tell a mandated reporter (teacher, wellness center people). Also, if you go to a hospital and get a rape kit, hospital employees are mandated reporters.
Wellness center: these people have been trained to deal with these kind of situations and a great option if you don’t have a trusted teacher
Teacher: also a great option, specifically if you have a trusted relationship with a teacher
2
The mandated reporter will call Child Protective Services (CPS). Child Protective Services may send a police officer or social worker to your house.
3
A teacher or the school may also call the Student Resource Center (SRO) officer who will then come to talk to you. The officer will give you a “Victim’s Bill of Rights” pamphlet.
4
When you speak to the police officer or SRO officer, it is your choice whether or not to name your perpetrator. You could also choose to go directly to the police station. That officer will then write a report and send it to the District Attorney.
Both the officer and the rmandated reporter will check up on you throughout the process.
The officer will also update you on any news in the case.
5
Sometimes your case will be prosecuted/ sent to court. Unfortunately, most cases do not go to court because District Attorneys tend to prosecute cases they think that they will win.
What increases likelihood of the case going to court is if there is physical evidence (i.e. a rape kit), witnesses, or if there are multiple claims against the perpetrator.
When does the school step in?
If there is evidence that the event happened during, at, or through school, then the school can suspend or expel the student. If the event does not fit this criteria, they do not have that same power.
However, if you report through the school, the school can ensure that you will never share any classes with the perpetrator.
If you would like to report to the school, you can fill out this form. It is anonymous with an option to include your name if you would like the school to follow up with you and provide more support. No one in P4C has access to these answers, only administrators do.
Why Report?
Although many cases do not go to court, reporting can offer closure to many survivors. Reporting can serve as a symbol of overcoming the situation and empowerment. Of course, whether you report it or not is up to you, but it can often be beneficial to the survivor if not just to hold the perpetrator accountable.