Sexual Assault Resources

In keeping with Trinity’s mission as a university rooted in Catholic teachings on social justice, Trinity is dedicated to promoting and fostering a safe environment for all students, staff and faculty. Trinity is a campus community that seeks to ensure that all students, faculty and staff, visitors and guests, personnel of vendors and others on campus act at all times with respect for the rights of each person, maintaining an environment free from harassment, intimidation, discrimination, sexual or other forms of assault or violence against persons in any form. Trinity’s Harassment Policy covers all forms of harassment, intimidation or assault broadly for all persons on campus.

Trinity expects full compliance with the Policy Statement on Sexual Misconduct (Title IX Policy).  In any case in which a student complains of sexual assault or other forms of sexual misconduct by others, this policy statement takes precedence.   Trinity is committed to the prevention and eradication of all forms of sexual intimidation or coercion, which are unfavorable to a living and learning community. Trinity provides programs to educate students about sexual misconduct and how to prevent it, as well as resources for those who have been a victim of sexual misconduct.

Students can reach out to Trinity’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Sarah Young at YoungSar@Trinitydc.edu if further assistance is needed or if concerns arise.

Immediate Support

Listed below are several options, offering you suggestions on how to meet your physical safety and emotional needs, how to obtain medical attention, and options for pursuing legal action.  Sexual Assault is never the survivor’s fault. It is important that the victim of sexual assault understand that no matter where they were, the time of day or night assaulted, what they were wearing, or what they said or did – if they did not want the sexual contact, then nothing else matters.

What to do if you have been sexually assaulted:

  • Get to a safe place as soon as you can.
  • Contact someone you trust who can help you, such as a friend, family member, Trinity staff member, etc.
  • To preserve evidence, it is best not to shower, bathe, douche, wash your hands, brush your teeth, comb your hair, or use a toilet if you can avoid it.
  • Get medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you are not seeking evidence collection, it is important to have a medical exam to test for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, internal and external injuries, and to answer health and wellness questions. If you are sexually assaulted, call 911 right away.
  • Consider contacting support resources listed below in order to discuss options.
  • Talking with a counselor will help you begin to process and understand what happened. A counselor can also help you cope with emotional difficulties that may arise after an assault.

Off-campus resources available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

DC Rape Crisis Center (202) 333-7273. Provides a 24/7 crisis hotline. Additionally, the DCRCC can provide an advocate who can accompany victims/survivors to a hospital, police station, or court, and help guide them through each system. DCRCC also provides counseling services for survivors. All services are provided free of charge.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7: Telephone: 800-656-HOPE (4673) Online chat: online.rainn.org Español: rainn.org/es

DC Victim Hotline at 1-844-4DCHELP (1-844-443-5732)

Washington Hospital 110 Irving Street, NW Washington, DC 20010. When you arrive at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, you’ll be cared for by a dedicated, specially trained sexual assault nurse examiner, or SANE nurse. Provides free medical examinations to collect/preserve evidence are conducted by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). As part of this service, the SANE Program provides free STDs/HIV testing and prophylactic treatment for STDs/HIV and pregnancy. Additional support services are also available. The program is staffed 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week by nurses with specialized training in medical forensic evidence collection. Exams are available to victims/survivors within 96 hours of an incident. Under the Violence Against Women’s Act, victims/survivors of sexual assault treated at the SANE center are not required to speak with law enforcement and therefore law enforcement will only be involved if requested.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) or Local Jurisdiction Police Department 9-1-1  MPD Sexual Assault Unit (202) 727-3700.  On-Campus: Contact the Department of Public Safety at (202) 884-9111  Public safety responds to immediate threats to health and safety. DPS can also provide walking escorts to all students on campus property and can assist a victim/survivor in filing a case with Student Affairs and/or Metropolitan Police.

Reporting

Sexual misconduct constitutes a violation of Title IX and will not be tolerated.  Students may bring complaints or concerns under this policy about any member of our community, whether student, staff, faculty or third parties.  Moreover, students who have been victims of sexual misconduct that occurred outside of school, and who feel the incident is affecting their Trinity experience, may also seek out the resources outlined in this policy.

Students who wish to make Title IX complaints should report them to:

Alternative contacts:

Other campus personnel who learn of sexual assaults or sexual misconduct may have reporting obligations, e.g., personnel in housing, student affairs and academic affairs.  Trinity conducts routine staff training to ensure full compliance with Title IX.

Process for Investigations and Case Management

Trinity will investigate all reports of sexual misconduct promptly.  Complainants (the person making the complaint) who request anonymity or confidentiality should be aware that Trinity may not be able to honor that request in all cases.  Trinity is required by Title IX and its own policies to maintain the safety and security of the campus community, and in some instances Trinity may have to go forward over the objection of the complainant if the facts warrant.  In every case, the privacy of the complainant will be preserved to the maximum extent possible.  For detailed information view the Trinity’s Policy Statement on Sexual Misconduct (Title IX)

Title IX and Pregnancy

In keeping with Trinity’s mission as a university rooted in Catholic teachings on social justice, Trinity strives to provide an environment of welcome, support, and accommodation for students who are pregnant, parenting, or managing related health and personal conditions.

Trinity’s policy and practices on pregnancy and parenting are also in keeping with the expectations of federal law as expressed in Title IX and the 2024 Title IX Regulations of the U.S. Department of Education. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational institutions and all related educational activities, and the prohibition includes discrimination against pregnant and parenting students. Title IX requires universities to make reasonable modifications for pregnant students or students experiencing issues related to pregnancy or parenting.

Students can reach out to Trinity’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Sarah Young at YoungSar@Trinitydc.edu if further assistance is needed or if concerns arise.  See more information at: https://discover.trinitydc.edu/student-affairs/title-ix-and-pregnancy

Educational Programs

Trinity is committed to the prevention and eradication of all forms of sexual intimidation or coercion, which are unfavorable to a living and learning community. Trinity provides programs to educate students about sexual misconduct and how to prevent it, as well as resources for those who have been a victim of sexual misconduct. Check out the Student Affairs event calendar for events and programs.