A college sexual assault investigation involves identifying the liable party and gathering evidence like surveillance video footage, photographs, medical records, and witness statements. If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you may want to work with the police and a Las Vegas sexual abuse lawyer who can investigate your case for you.
In the aftermath of sexual violence, it’s understandable if you do not want to handle your case alone. The law firm you hire can handle every aspect of your sexual assault investigation, from speaking to all involved parties to proving liability and taking your case to trial if necessary.
Title IX and Sexual Assault Investigations on College Campuses
The United States Department of Education’s Title IX prohibits sexual discrimination in educational activities, including those that occur on college campuses. If you suffered sexual violence, Title IX allows you to:
- Report the situation to your school for them to conduct an investigation.
- Meet with your school’s Title IX coordinator to ensure the incident is being handled right away.
- Choose whether you wish to file a complaint with your school or the local police department.
Once you’ve informed your school about the sexual assault, they must:
- Offer you protection, even before an investigation is completed.
- Work with you to change your classes, dorm, or transportation if necessary.
- Respond to any attempted retaliation from university employees, the perpetrator, or fellow students.
Your school is also required to conduct an impartial investigation and resolve the situation based on a preponderance of evidence.
What to Expect from a Title IX Sexual Assault Investigation
First, both the complainant and the respondent (alleged abuser) receive a written notice that the Title IX Office has begun an investigation.
The investigator will interview the Complainant, Respondent, and any witnesses as well as gather other evidence.
After the investigator gathers all necessary evidence, both the complainant and respondent can review the evidence and respond.
After both parties have reviewed and responded, the investigator will draft a report detailing the process and whether the allegations are substantiated.
Finally, a notice of the outcome and next steps will be delivered.
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Gathering Evidence Is Part of the College Sexual Assault Investigation Process
A Title IX case may lead to criminal charges. However, a criminal case doesn’t give you the compensation you need to treat injuries, pay for counseling, or cover the pain and suffering you have experienced. To file a civil case, you’ll want to work with an attorney.
To build your case, your legal team will gather evidence of the sexual assault. Many assault survivors prefer to work with a personal injury attorney rather than conduct their own investigation.
Some of the evidence your legal team may find useful includes:
- Your medical records
- Statements from your doctors, including therapists and psychiatrists
- Statements from any potential witnesses
- Expert witness statements
- Photos or videos of your injuries
- The police report if you spoke to a law enforcement officer after the assault
- The results of the Title IX investigation
Your law firm may also work with the police to investigate the scene of the incident, gathering physical evidence such as fingerprints.
We Can Hold Anyone Who Contributed to Your Assault Liable
Aside from evidence collection, part of investigating a college sexual assault incident is proving who the liable party is. Once your attorney proves who assaulted you, they can explain your legal options, which may include filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Examples of parties who may be held accountable for your sexual assault include:
- Another college student, even someone you know
- A professor at your college or university
- A visitor on your college campus
- A school administrator
- A school counselor
- A teacher’s assistant
- A security guard who did not protect campus safety
- The college itself
Anyone who helped to hide the sexual assault may also be held liable, depending on the details of your case. College students deserve to feel safe as they pursue their education. Working with a law firm helps to protect your rights and ensure the party who harmed you does not assault anyone else.
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You May Decide to Let a Personal Injury Attorney Manage Your Sexual Assault Investigation
You don’t need to face the legal process alone after enduring sexual violence. Many people decide to partner with a law firm that can manage their civil cases for them.
If you choose to work with a sexual abuse law firm, they can handle case tasks like:
- Communicating with all parties who play a role in your case, such as the liable party’s criminal defense attorney or law enforcement agencies
- Ensuring you are as comfortable as possible during this process
- Preparing you and witnesses for trial, if necessary
- Organizing the evidence into a case file
- Keeping you informed about any updates in your case
- Answering any questions you have
- Explaining any laws that apply to your case, such as the statute of limitations
- Protecting your legal rights
- Demanding compensation for the losses you suffered
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A College Sexual Assault Investigation May Reveal That You Are Entitled to Damages
You can seek both economic and non-economic damages. Some of the damages you could recover in your case include:
- Medical expenses related to your sexual assault, such as doctor’s appointments, travel to appointments, medications you were prescribed, and your stay at the hospital
- Mental anguish, as many survivors suffer from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Physical pain and suffering
- Lost income if your mental or physical injuries make you incapable of working and earning money
- Reduced earning capacity if the mental or physical injuries you sustained force you to work a lower-paying job than you once worked
- The costs of any assault-related mental health care you need to treat anxiety or depression
It’s impossible to say how much money you could recover without investigating your case. While it isn’t easy to come forward with a sexual assault case, recovering compensation can help you stay financially afloat as you work toward physical and mental recovery.
Statistics About Sexual Assault on College Campuses
Sexual assault is common on college campuses across the country. According to statistics gathered by the Rape, Incest & Abuse National Network (RAINN), some statistics about on-campus sexual violence include:
- 26.4% of female undergraduate students and 6.8% of male undergraduate students endure rape or sexual assault.
- 20% of female sexual violence survivors aged 18-24 report the incident to the police. Many choose not to report it because they were scared of retaliation or did not want their abuser to get in trouble.
- Sexual violence is more common than any other crime on college campuses.
Unfortunately, sexual assault happens more often than some students might realize. Being aware of the issue may help survivors get the help they need.
Why You Might Benefit From Beginning a College Sexual Assault Investigation
Though you might not feel comfortable bringing your case to light, there are a few benefits to seeking justice in a college sexual assault case. These include:
- It can get you the resources you need to financially, physically, and mentally start recovering from the incident.
- Your civil case might lead to a criminal investigation, and holding your abuser accountable ensures they do not try to hurt you again or abuse anyone else.
- It brings up an issue on your college campus that may lead to increased safety measures.
You deserve access to education in a safe environment free of sexual misconduct. By working with a sexual assault attorney, you can have your case investigated and seek justice.
Work With Van Law Firm for Your College Campus Investigation
If you or someone you love suffered sexual violence as a college student or on a college campus, the team at Van Law Firm can investigate your case. We will gather all the evidence necessary to hold your assailant accountable.
Reach out to us today to learn more about your legal options. We provide free consultations.
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