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Sexual Assaults
Any unwanted sexual contact is a sexual assault which is a serious crime and traumatically affects thousands every year. Victims often feel like the incident was their fault and could have been prevented. These common reactions often prevent victims from speaking up, reporting the incident, or getting needed support. While it is a difficult decision, Everett Police encourages victims to report sexual assaults as soon as possible. This can be done by going to a hospital where a SANE nurse (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) assists victims. A victim advocate is another resource that can assist victims through the process.
We are committed to investigating sexual assault crimes, relationship violence, domestic violence, criminal harassment, and stalking. The health and safety of victims is a priority for Everett Police and our Sexual Assault Crimes detectives are specially trained to work with victims of sexual assault with compassion, impartiality and confidentiality.
Remember:
- Get to a safe place and call 911 or go to a local hospital.
- While there may be statutes of limitation, it is never too late to report a sexual assault or seek help.
- Prompt reports allow a better chance to collect evidence and may strengthen investigations for prosecution.
- You may have a companion or victim advocate with you throughout the process.
- Preserve the evidence, if possible.
- You are not alone and help is available.
Sexual assault victims are survivors! However, we use the term “victim” as it refers to anyone who had a crime committed against them.
Go to the hospital:
Sexual assault can be reported by going to a hospital where a SANE nurse (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) assists victims. SANE nurses have specialized training in sexual assaults and can facilitate calling an officer. Even if you do not want to discuss what occurred, it is important to record the facts. If you do not want to make a report, you will still be medically assessed at the hospital and given options.
There should be no cost to survivors for a sexual assault exam. Costs will be covered by insurance or reimbursed by the Washington State Crime Victims Compensation Program.
Seek medical care as soon as possible:
- Even if there are no visible injuries
- If you suspect you were drugged, tell medical staff who can administer a test
Call police or go to the police station:
If you are at a safe location, call 911 so an officer can be dispatched to start an investigation. You will be asked questions about what happened and asked to provide a written a statement. The officer may request you go to the hospital for medical attention and to have a SANE nurse collect evidence.
It is important to preserve physical evidence for the possibility of prosecution, even if the victim does not initially wish to participate in criminal proceedings. If possible, evidence is best collected within 72 hours by a SANE nurse or police officer.
When a police report is taken, an investigation is initiated. During the process, the victim, witnesses, and suspect(s) may be interviewed. Potential evidence will be gathered and preserved. Detectives work with the Prosecutor’s Office, which ultimately decides if a case is prosecuted. If there are criminal charges the victim and witnesses may be needed for testimony.
Information about pursuing protection orders will be provided and your identity will be protected to the extent possible by law and policy. Each case is unique, but victims can expect to be notified in a timely manner of case changes, arrests, and potential prosecution.
You do not need to be alone in the process.
Our role is to collect evidence. A Special Assault detective may be assigned to your case. They will request an interview with you, which may be videotaped, and are trained in trauma informed interviews.
You will be asked to describe the entire incident in a detailed timeline, giving specifics about what happened. Questions will be asked about what led to the incident, identity of the suspect, and the sexual assault itself. The questions may be difficult to answer but are designed to help you accurately recall what occurred. You may not remember everything, but honest and detailed answers will help the investigation. As days pass, you may remember additional details. If this occurs, contact the detective assigned to your case.
After the investigation is completed, you will be advised if there is enough evidence for criminal charges. Our goal is to thoroughly and efficiently gather all available evidence to minimize your trauma and obtain the best possible outcome for you and the community.
There are many reasons charges may not be filed. The main reason is usually the lack of enough evidence to prove criminal charges in court. The criteria for criminal prosecutions are stringent and sometimes, despite full and truthful disclosure, there is not sufficient evidence to meet the standard set forth by the courts. That said, we will still seek justice for your case through a successful prosecution.
If there is enough evidence, the case is handed to the Prosecutor’s office for review and filing of criminal charges. This process can take time, but you have the right to be informed through every step of the process!
If you are a survivor of a sexual assault:
- Get to a safe location
- If possible, preserve all evidence
- Do not:
- Shower, bathe, or wash your hands
- Comb your hair, brush your teeth
- Change or wash your clothes
- Eat, drink or take any drugs/alcohol
- Use the toilet
- If you are at the location where the crime occurred:
- Do not cleanup, straighten up or remove anything from the scene
- If you have changed clothes or bedding (if applicable), place them in a paper bag
- Write down or record any details you can recall about the assault and perpetrator
- Go to the hospital or call 911 to report the incident
FAQ's
- As a victim, what should I expect?
- What happens after I make the initial sexual assault report?
- What is a victim advocate?
- What is a SANE nurse (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner)?
- What hospital can I go to?
- What is a sexual assault “rape kit”?
- How long after an incident can evidence be collected?
- What is considered sexual assault?
- What are my medical choices?
- What if I think I was drugged?
- Is it ever too late to seek help or report a sexual assault?
- How can I preserve possible evidence?
- I am a kid and think something happened… What do I do?
- We will meet with you privately to file a report.
- To the extent possible by law and policy, we will not release your name.
- We will treat you and your case with professionalism, sensitivity, dignity, understanding, and courtesy.
- We will keep you informed of the progress of the investigation and/or prosecution.
- We treat all cases and investigations with professionalism, sensitivity and compassion- regardless of the gender or sexual orientation of the survivor or suspect.
The Washington State Legislature established law (RCW 7.69.030) to make reasonable efforts to ensure that victims, survivors of victims, and witnesses of crimes have rights, which apply to any criminal court and/or juvenile court proceedings. Child victims and witnesses also have rights (RCW 7.69A).
- The Special Assault Unit sergeant reviews the case and, if appropriate, assigns a detective.
- If you do not hear from a detective in a reasonable amount of time, or have questions, call the non-emergency line at 425-407-3999 and ask to speak with an officer.
A victim advocate provides emotional support while assisting survivors throughout the criminal process, provides information and resources, helps with protective orders, and generally serves as a guide through every stage of a case. A victim advocate can accompany survivors during interviews, keeps you informed of the status of the case, and provides resources for counseling and community services.
Resources are available through the Washington State Department of Commerce - Office of Crime Victim Advocacy.
Victim Advocates with the local community sexual assault center can be reach 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 425-252-4800.
A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is a registered nurse who has advanced education in forensic examination of sexual assault victims. Their mission is to provide immediate, compassionate, culturally sensitive, and comprehensive forensic evaluation and treatment for sexual assault survivors.
Goals of a SANE nurse:
- Protect the sexual assault victim from further harm.
- Provide crisis intervention.
- Provide timely, thorough, and professional forensic evidence collection, documentation, and preservation of evidence.
- Evaluate and treat preventatively for sexually transmitted diseases.
- Evaluate pregnancy risk and offer prevention.
- Assess, document and seek care for injuries.
- Appropriately refer victims for immediate and follow-up medical care and counseling.
- Enhance the ability of law enforcement agencies to obtain evidence and successfully prosecute sexual assault cases.
Survivors can go to any emergency room.
There should be no cost to survivors for a sexual assault exam. Costs will be covered by insurance or reimbursed by the Washington State Crime Victims Compensation Program.
A “rape kit” (also known as a forensic examination) can be administered at a hospital to gather forensic evidence to assist with criminal prosecution. The procedure includes a physical examination to collect evidence of an assault so it can be evaluated. Evidence is best collected within 72 hours of an assault.
If you are unsure about reporting to law enforcement, a rape kit can be collected before a police report is made. This can help preserve evidence while you decide if you want to report.
There should be no cost to survivors for a sexual assault exam. Costs will be covered by insurance or reimbursed by the Washington State Crime Victims Compensation Program.
It is important to preserve physical evidence of any assault. If possible, evidence is best collected within 72 hours of an assault.
Evidence collection:
- Do not:
- Shower, bathe, or wash your hands
- Comb your hair, brush your teeth
- Change or wash your clothes
- Eat, drink or take any drugs/alcohol
- Use the toilet
- If you are at the location where the crime occurred:
- Do not cleanup, straighten up or remove anything from the scene
- If you have changed clothes or bedding (if applicable), place them in a paper bag
- Write down or record any details you can recall about the assault and perpetrator
- Go to the hospital or call 911 to report the incident
The Revised Code of Washington specifically defines illegal sexual acts (RCW 9A.44.010). The following are non-legal definitions of common offenses and crimes:
- Sexual assault is any sexual act carried out:
- Without or against a person’s consent,
- Under coercion,
- With the threat of force, or by using or implying a weapon,
- Through a position of authority,
- When the victim/survivor is mentally disabled or physically helpless including by reason of drug or alcohol consumption, sleep, or unconsciousness,
- Sexual assault includes, but is not limited to, verbal threats that coerce, force, intimidate, threaten, or persuade someone to engage in unwanted sexual activity, or
- Sexual assault can occur with any combination of genders or sexual orientations.
- Sexual contact means any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a person done for the purpose of gratifying sexual desire of either party or a third party.
- Consent is agreeing to an action freely, voluntarily, and with knowledge of the nature of the act. Consent is an ongoing process. If you are incapacitated, due to alcohol or drug use, you cannot consent.
- Indecent liberties occurs when someone takes sexual liberties or has unwanted sexual contact with another person. This includes liberties by force or against victims who are mentally incapacitated, physically helpless, patients, frail elders or vulnerable adults.
- Rape is the act of penile/vaginal/other orifice penetration committed without the consent of the victim. Penetration, however slight, is an act of rape. Children are not legally considered to be able to grant consent, therefore any sexual contact constitutes rape or child molestation under Washington State law.
General medical care without a sexual assault rape kit (SAK).
What is general medical care?
- A physical exam to determine injury
- Test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Medication to prevent HIV and STIs
- Emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy
Medical care with a sexual assault rape kit (SAK)
What does a SAK entail?
- SAK exams are free and preserves evidence while you decide whether to report to police.
- You may bring a victim advocate, family member or friend with you.
- Evidence is best collected within 72 hours of the assault.
Note: Medical staff can provide helpful decision-making information about medical choices and survivors don’t need a police report to receive a SAK. However, a SAK is usually performed by a SANE nurse (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner).
- Get a forensic exam as soon as possible, as drugs quickly leave the body.
- Ask the hospital/clinic to take a urine (and possibly blood) sample for drug toxicology testing.
- Many drugs (like Rohypnol and GHB) are more likely found in urine than blood and need special tests to detect.
- If possible, save any other materials that might have contacted the drug(s), such as the glass that held your drink
It is never too late to seek help after a sexual assault.
It is never too late to report a sexual assault. However, Washington State law places limits on prosecution for criminal offenses. These limitations should not be a concern when reporting an assault.
Evidence collection:
- Do not:
- Shower, bathe, or wash your hands
- Comb your hair, brush your teeth
- Change or wash your clothes
- Eat, drink or take any drugs/alcohol
- Use the toilet
- If you are at the location where the crime occurred:
- Do not cleanup, straighten up or remove anything from the scene
- If you have changed clothes or bedding (if applicable), place them in a paper bag
- Write down or record any details you can recall about the assault and perpetrator
- Go to the hospital or call 911 to report the incident
If someone touches you in a way that’s not okay or shows you something that makes you feel unsafe, don’t keep it secret. It’s not right and know that it's not your fault!
Tell a parent, teacher, a counselor, police officer, or someone you can trust about what happened. You will not get in trouble for telling someone what happened – remember, it is not your fault.
Additional Resources:
- Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center
- Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County
- Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA)
- Providence Intervention Center for Assault & Abuse
- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
- Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
- Victim Support Services (VSS)
- Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (WCSAP)
Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center
Dawson Place is a group of professionals responding to concerns of child abuse because every child who is a victim of physical abuse, sexual assault, neglect, drug endangerment, or witness a violent crime deserves the profession care they need for safety, justice, and healing.
Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County
Services for victims of domestic violence in Snohomish County.
For information about services call our hotline at 425-25-ABUSE (425-252-2873).
Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA)
Resources and advocacy for crime victims. The OCVA serves as a voice within government for the needs of crime victims in Washington State.
Providence Intervention Center for Assault & Abuse
Providence services are designed to center and value your unique needs as we work alongside you to identify meaningful next steps. Their team of advocates, forensic nurses, nurse practitioners, counselors, and social workers offer an array of no-cost services to those impacted by sexual, physical, and/or relationship violence.
For information call 425-252-4800 or 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.
RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE) in partnership with more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers nationwide.
RAINN also runs the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline (online.rainn.org).
Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
The Washington State Legislature established law (RCW 7.69.030) to make reasonable efforts to ensure that victims, survivors of victims, and witnesses of crimes have rights, which apply to any criminal court and/or juvenile court proceedings. Child victims and witnesses also have rights (RCW 7.69A).
Victim Support Services (VSS)
Provides peer support and advocacy for victims of crime since 1975. VSS is the oldest victim advocacy agency in Washington state and one of the oldest in the nation and continues providing free services to victims of crime. VSS is a non-profit agency serving Snohomish, King, Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties.
For information call 425-252-6081 or the 24-hour crisis line 1-800-346-7555.
Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (WCSAP)
A non-profit organization that strives to unite agencies engaged in the elimination of sexual violence. WCSAP provides information, training and expertise to program and individual members who support victims, family and friends, the general public, and all those whose lives have been affected by sexual assault.