Where to Go for Help

On-Campus Supports

Confidential Supports

Victim Advocate: Aisha Lewis, Cohen Student Union 174, 239-745-4344, alewis@fgcu.edu, or make an appointment directly
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): 24 hour helpline: 239-745-EARS (3277), during regular business hours: 239-590-7950, Student and Community Counseling Center 300, caps@fgcu.edu
Student Health Services: 239-590-7966, Student Health Services Modular, Next to Garage 2 and Parking Lot 7
Community Counseling Center: 239-745-4777 (open to FGCU students, staff, faculty, and the members of the southwest Florida community), Student and Community Counseling Center 200
Employee Assistance Program: 833-746-8337 (provides free and confidential brief therapy services to FGCU employees; when visiting the website, use company code: FLORIDA to access services FGCU employees are eligible for)

Additional Supports

Note the following resources are not confidential, so any disclosure of interpersonal violence or discrimination will be reported to the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance.

Student Care Services: Provides assistance with academic accommodations, withdrawals, financial assistance, excused absences, and more; 239-590-7900, Cohen Student Union 288, care@fgcu.edu
Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance: Provides supportive measures (e.g., campus housing room switches, class assistance, etc.), and informal and formal resolutions through the University; 239-745-4366, Edwards Hall 114, oiec@fgcu.edu, or complete the following form.
University Police Department: For emergency assistance call 911, to request to speak with an officer, call 239-590-1900 or stop by their office in the Campus Support Complex

Off-Campus Supports

Connect with local options that best-meet your needs

Local Service Agencies for Survivors

All the agencies below provide FREE services, including: forensic/evidence collection exams ("rape kits"), STI testing, pregnancy prevention, victim advocacy, crisis intervention, legal assistance, counseling, and more.

It is not necessary to file a police report to receive any of their services:

Lee/Glades/Hendry Counties: Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT), 24 hour hotline : 239-939- 3112 (TTY)
Collier County: Project HELP, 24 hour hotline: 239-262-7227 (TTY)
Charlotte County: Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (CARE), 24/7 helpline: 941-637-0404 (TTY)

Hospitals

Note that evidence collection ("rape kits") is only done at ACT, Project Help, or CARE, not in local emergency rooms.

Gulf Coast Medical Center (closest to campus): 13681 Doctors Way, Fort Myers
Lee Memorial Hospital: 2776 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers
Cape Coral Hospital: 636 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral
Physician’s Regional Hospital: 8300 Collier Blvd, Naples or 6101 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples
Naples Community Hospital: 11190 Healthpark Blvd., Naples or 350 7^th St. North, Naples
Fawcett Memorial Hospital- 21298 Olean Blvd., Port Charlotte
Charlotte Regional Medical Center: 2500 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte

Common Questions About Reporting

Are survivors required to report sexual violence?
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- The decision whether or not to report sexual violence is completely up to the survivor. There is no requirement to report.
- There is no "right" or "wrong" decision when it comes to reporting. Everyone's needs are different.
- Depending on the situation, survivors may have the option to report what happened more than once:
  - Through the Civil/Criminal process facilitated through a police department (based on where the incident occurred)
  - Through the FGCU Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC; if perpetrator is an FGCU student, staff, faculty, contractor, or vendor)
  - Survivors can choose to report only to police, only to OIEC, or both. See contact information to report to campus police and/or OIEC and read below to learn more about the reporting process.
Is there a time limit on reporting?
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- The State of Florida has a statute of limitations of 3-4 years after the incident, depending on the specifics of the crime.
  - Reporting as soon as possible after the incident allows for greater opportunity to gather and preserve evidence.
  - Some survivors may choose to report what happened immediately to preserve evidence and then decide later if they want to move forward with prosecution.
  - Survivors have the right to change their minds about reporting or participating in an investigation.
- At FGCU, there is no formal time limit on when a report can be filed against member of the campus community.
  - Depending on enrollment or affiliation status, some options may be limited for reporting timelines.
  - Survivors have the right to change their minds about reporting or participating in an investigation.
Can survivors take time to think about reporting?
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- Understandably, many survivors aren't ready to make the decision about filing a report immediately after they were hurt. Taking time to think about the decision and talk it over with people the survivor trusts is common.
- If a survivor thinks they may want an investigation through police or the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC), but haven't decided for sure, filing a report as soon as possible can allow for more evidence collection.
  - Survivors have the right to change their minds about reporting or participating in an investigation.
  - While the District Attorney will decide whether or not to pursue prosecution after a police report is filed, it is very unusual for cases to proceed without the cooperation of the survivor. This means that if a survivor changes their mind about reporting after filing a report, the investigation/prosecution will likely stop as well.
  - In general, the OIEC does not investigate or otherwise proceed without the cooperation of the survivor.
Can survivors file a report even if there are no physical injuries?
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- Physical injuries are not required to file a police or OIEC report.
- Most instances of sexual violence do not result in physical injuries. Therefore, the lack of such injuries should not deter survivors from reporting.
- It's important to note that even if there are no visible physical injuries, getting medical care can still be worth pursuing as there may be sexually transmitted infections, internal and/or invisible injuries, and/or pregnancies to treat.
Can attempted incidents of sexual violence be reported?
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- Yes, attempted sexual violence is still serious and can be reported.
Can sexual violence be reported if the survivor knew the perpetrator or had a relationship with them?
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- Yes, survivors can report what happened if they already knew the perpetrator. Research shows about 80% of survivors know their attacker.
- Being voluntarily together or having a pre-existing relationship with the perpetrator does not make the incident any less serious or mean a survivor cannot report what happened.
- Sexual violence is wrong, no matter who committed it or what the circumstances are.
Do survivors have to go through reporting or interviews alone?
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- Survivors have the right to have a support person with them during police and/or OIEC interviews.
- Survivors can select their support person, who could be a friend, family member, Victim Advocate, or other trusted person.
- Victim Advocates can be of particular assistance as they are familiar with the reporting process and can answer many questions about what to expect.
  - Options for free Victim Advocates:
    - FGCU Victim Advocate: Aisha Lewis, Cohen Student Union 174, 239-745-4344, alewis@fgcu.edu, or make an appointment directly
    - Lee/Glades/Hendry Counties: Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT), 24 hour hotline : 239-939- 3112 (TTY)
    - Collier County: Project HELP, 24 hour hotline: 239-262-7227 (TTY)
    - Charlotte County: Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (CARE), 24/7 helpline: 941-637-0404 (TTY)
What can a survivor expect from the interview process?
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- General information:
  - Survivors may find it helpful to write down every detail they remember, as soon as possible, to help with communicating the details later during a report. If a survivor isn't sure they want to file a report yet, writing down what happened is still worth considering as they can use the details later, if they decide to report.
  - Interviews may take as long as several hours, depending on the circumstances of the case.
  - Some questions will probably feel intrusive and the interviewer may go over the details of the report several times. The extensive questioning isn't because the interviewer doesn't believe the survivor, rather, they want to get every detail down precisely and make sure they have as much information as possible.
- Police reports
  - In most cases, the police will come to the survivor's location and take a statement about what occurred.
  - Police will ask if any physical evidence is available for them to review, such as bruises, text messages, damage to property, etc.
  - Police may request, but cannot require, survivors to complete a forensic exam with a specially trained nurse ("rape kit") to collect hair, fluids, fibers, and other possible evidence.
  - After the police collect and review all of the evidence they file a report and submit that report with the survivor's statement to the State Attorney's office.
    - The State Attorney's office determines whether to prosecute the perpetrator. The State Attorney's office will notify the survivor of decisions regarding potential prosecution.
- Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) reports
  - OIEC interviews take place in the OIEC’s office or via remote meeting options, depending on the survivor's preferences.
  - The Investigator/Deputy Title IX Coordinator will ask questions to understand the survivor's experience.
  - The Investigator will ask if any additional evidence is available for them to review, such as text messages, police reports, forensic exam results, and witnesses.
  - After completing an interview with the survivor, the investigator will interview the perpetrator (called "respondent" in OIEC proceedings) and any potential witnesses.
  - After all evidence in reviewed and all interviews are complete, the investigator determines whether there is sufficient evidence to support a conclusion the respondent violated the applicable University policies.
  - Both the survivor and respondent are notified of the outcome.
    - If there is sufficient evidence that a policy was violated, the appropriate decision-maker will determine the responsibility and outcome: for complaints against a student, that is the Office of Student Conduct; for complaints against an employee, that is their respective Vice President, along with Human Resources, in accordance with any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Do survivors regret reporting what happened to them?
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- It is possible that a survivor will regret reporting. It is also possible the survivor will regret not reporting. There are no guarantees.
- The decision to report is a personal decision that only the survivor can make.
Will a survivor be scrutinized or have to testify about intimate details of their personal life?
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- If a survivor files a criminal report and the State Attorney proceeds with a prosecution, most of these cases will end in a plea agreement, without a trial, meaning the survivor will not have to testify.
  - If the case does go to trial, the survivor usually has to testify.
    - Although there are no guarantees, prosecutors have legal tools they can use to protect survivors in court, including the Rape Shield law, which limits what the defense can ask survivors about (i.e., their prior sexual history) and prevents survivors' identities from being published in the media. The prosecutor can also file legal motions to try to protect survivors from having to disclose personal information.
  - If a survivor is worried about having to testify about their sexual history, they can let the police or prosecutor know about their concerns. Police and/or the State Attorney can explain the laws and help survivors understand what might happen if they do go to trial.
- If a survivor files a report with the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC), there are policies and procedures in place to protect survivors' privacy.
  - OIEC investigations are private and student details are not shared outside of those who need to be involved to facilitate the process (e.g., Office of Student Conduct).
    - Student information is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and OIEC records are kept private and separate from other university records.
  - Questions and evidence about a survivor's prior sexual behavior are not relevant, unless such questions and evidence are offered to prove that someone other than the perpetrator (referred to as "respondent" in OIEC processes) committed the alleged conduct; or if the questions and evidence concern specific incidents of the survivor's prior sexual behavior with the respondent to prove consent.
Will a survivor get in trouble if they were intoxicated when sexual violence occurred?
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- Survivors are often worried they will get into trouble if they had been drinking (if under 21) or using illegal substances when the sexual violence occurred.
  - FGCU Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance and UPD will not hold survivors responsible for underage drinking or consuming illegal substances when they report they were the victim of a crime.
  - Please also note FGCU's Medical Amnesty policy: "a Student who seeks Medical Assistance on their own behalf or on behalf of another person experiencing an alcohol or drug-related emergency will not be subject to Sanctions related to intoxication or possession under the Student Code of Conduct."
What if a survivor decides not to report? What if a survivor changes their mind after reporting?
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- Reporting is a very personal decision and survivors should make the decision that's right for them.
  - If a survivor decides not to report for any reason, that's perfectly understandable and there's no reason to feel bad about the decision.
  - All survivors, regardless of whether they report or not, deserve care, support, and to be believed.
- Survivors have the right to change their minds about reporting or participating in an investigation after filing a report.
  - While the State Attorney will decide whether or not to pursue prosecution after a police report is filed, it is very unusual for cases to proceed without the cooperation of the survivor. This means that if a survivor changes their mind about reporting after filing a report, the investigation/prosecution will likely stop as well.
  - In general, the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance does not investigate or otherwise proceed without the cooperation of the survivor.