Sexual Violence

If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, you are not alone and we encourage you along with an advocate of your choice to report to the UR Police. The University of Richmond Police Department provides information to individuals regarding their rights available to them.

Reporting an incident to URPD is the first step of the criminal process. We will assess the appropriate jurisdiction and make any necessary connections to the jurisdiction in which an incident occurred. This is also applicable to electronic harassment or stalking incidents.

The initial police report is a document of fact, not a commitment to move forward with a criminal prosecution. At this time, an individual will be provided information to become familiar with the criminal process.

You may also report any sexual misconduct to Title IX.

For example:

The crime of rape does not have a statute of limitation that means the report and any evidence retained at or near the time of the criminal act can be brought forward 10 years later (as an example) to prosecute a case.

The act of dating violence may include a series of simple assaults. The crime of simple assault has a (1) year statute of limitations.

The University of Richmond Police Department will assist individuals with obtaining a protective order.

Virginia code 19.2-152.10 discusses who is eligible and under what circumstances a protective order can be issued.  If you feel there is a threat to your safety, please contact URPD immediately (804-289-8911) to speak with an officer. 

More information about obtaining a protective order in Virginia can be found here.

One of the keys to successful prosecution is the preservation of evidence. Clothing, sheets, e-conversations and messages, photos, etc., photographs of the scene, photographs of any injuries regardless of how minor it may appear, are items that need to be collected. URPD recommends that we be called to collect that type of evidence and store that evidence in our property and evidence section. That relieves the victim of any issues with storage and creates a chain of custody. Again, the collection of evidence does not mandate the victim to prosecute the case. It does build a solid foundation if a decision is made later.

A victim can go to St. Mary’s Hospital or other local hospitals for medical care. A trained Forensic Nurse is available to conduct a Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (P.E.R.K. exam). This special exam is given to an individual who have been sexually assaulted to collect evidence that may be helpful in the investigation and prosecution of the sexual assault, if a survivor chooses to do so. A P.E.R.K. is provided at no cost, and the university police will provide transportation to and from the hospital if needed. A survivor also has the right to complete an anonymous P.E.R.K.

To reach a forensic nurse call: St. Mary’s E.R. (804) 281-8184 (emergency) or Non-Emergency (804) 281-8574.