UCR Office of Title IX, Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action March 2021
PRESERVING EVIDENCE AND REPORTING OPTIONS
for UCR students who may have experienced sexual violence or harassment
This resource document has information about the importance of preserving evidence—whether physical
evidence or photographs or text messages. It also has information about your options to report sexual violence
to law enforcement or to UCR’s Office of Title IX, Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action (Title IX/EOAA
or Title IX). This document is part of a series of resources for UCR students, all available online.
Importance of Preserving Evidence
It is important that you preserve evidence—even if you are not sure you want to report the matter. If you have
experienced a sexual assault, you should not wash, douche, use the toilet, or change clothing prior to a medical
exam by medical personnel (Title IX does not conduct medical exams). Any clothing removed should be placed
in a paper bag. Evidence of violence, such as bruising or other visible injuries, should be documented including
through photographs.
You can also access a free forensic medical exam, such as a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) exam.
During the SANE exam, a registered nurse or nurse practitioner who has completed specialized training
to assist sexual assault victims will collect all forensic evidence and perform exams. SANE nurses are
available at only specific hospital emergency rooms. For information following an assault, please visit the
CARE webpage.
For many cases, relevant evidence includes communications, such as text messages, voicemail and other phone
records, emails, photos or videos, or other records. Please save these communications and other records.
Reporting Options
UCR students who have experienced sexual violence—sexual assault, stalking, or relationship violence—
may file a report with Title IX/EOAA AND/OR may file a criminal complaint with University of California,
Riverside Police Department (“UCRPD”) or another law enforcement agency. Students have the option not to
report to UCRPD or any other law enforcement agency. If a student does not wish to report to law enforcement,
they are entitled to any and all available resources provided by UCR.
UCR Office of Title IX, Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action March 2021
Filing with Title IX/EOAA. The Title IX/EOAA Office is the campus office designated to respond to reports
and complaints of sexual violence (and other types of discrimination and harassment). Title IX/EOAA provides
information, may arrange supportive measures, and conducts resolution processes when appropriate. (To learn
more, Title IX has a helpful summary of resolution processes available online.)
To file a report with the Title IX/EOAA, we encourage you to file the online Sexual Violence and Sexual
Harassment Incident Report Form. You can also reach us by phone during business hours: M-F, 8 am-5 pm at
(951) 827-7070.
If/when you file with Title IX/EOAA, one option is to make a Formal Complaint. A Formal Complaint is a
written request that UCR investigate sexual violence (or harassment) that you experienced on or after August
14, 2020. If Title IX/EOAA receives a Formal Complaint, the Title IX Officer must either dismiss the
complaint or begin a Formal Investigation or an Alternative Resolution. To learn more, see Appendix IV in the
SVSH Policy or the summary of the 2020 Title IX Regulations available on the Title IX at UCR website.
It is important to understand that any resolution process that Title IX/EOAA might conduct would be separate
from any criminal processes within the criminal justice system. If both processes are ongoing, Title IX/EOAA
will coordinate with law enforcement as needed.
Filing a Criminal Complaint. In addition, students may also report criminal complaints of sexual violence
(sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking) to law enforcement, which may include the UCRPD or the
law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the incident occurred. To file a report with UCRPD you may
visit the Office in person: 3500 Canyon Crest Drive, 24 hours/7 days, or call (951) 827-5222, 24 hours/7 days.
If you would like assistance making a report to law enforcement, please contact Title IX/EOAA or CARE
(UCR’s CARE advocates can provide confidential support to students).
Complainants who file a law enforcement report but do not wish to have their information shared
with Title IX/EOAA must complete a “Notice of Victim’s Right to Confidentiality” form with
UCRPD. The “Notice of Victim’s Right to Confidentiality” form provides the Complainant with
the right to not have their name become a matter of public record.
