Relationship Violence and Stalking

There are many, many different forms of abuse in relationships and not all abuse is physical or blatantly obvious.

o Emotional Abuse- The abuser may say horrible things to put you down or hurt your feelings. The abuser may ridicule your values or humiliate you in public. The abuser may threaten to self-harm if you consider leaving the relationship. This form of abuse is not always obvious, but it is a serious and extremely damaging aspect of relationship violence.

o Financial/Economic Abuse- The abuser may restrict your access to bank accounts or take complete control of the finances in the relationship. The abuser may monitor your spending or become angry about your purchases. They abuser may ask you to quit your job or deny access to an education.

o Verbal Abuse- The abuser may yell at you frequently and say threatening things. The abuser may use their tone to intimidate you or scare you into behaving a certain way.

o Physical Abuse- The abuser uses physical violence towards you with the intent of injuring or intimidating you. The abuser physically blocks you from moving freely or exiting the situation. Abusers may also hurt pets and children or break household items.

o Sexual Abuse- The abuser may force you to perform sexual acts without your consent. The abuser may grab or touch you without your consent. The abuser may coerce you into completing sexual acts by threatening to cheat or leave the relationship.

(Insert image of Power and Control Wheel)

Unhealthy behavior often occurs in a cycle. Relationships typically begin in the honeymoon phase, in which everything is comfortable, happy, and seemingly healthy. Sometimes, relationships can progress through a phase called tension building, in which you may feel like you are walking on egg shells, waiting for the next argument or fight. The acute or abusive stage is the abusive incident (verbal or physical fight, threat, or assault). After an abusive incident, the abuser typically begs forgiveness and promises never to abuse again. This shifts the relationship back into the honeymoon phase and the cycle continues. This cycle tends to progress more quickly with time with the honeymoon phase becoming very brief and the abuse becoming more frequent and severe.

(Insert image of Cycle of Violence)

Relationships come in many different forms: healthy, unhealthy, and somewhere in between. It can be difficult to determine where your relationship falls on the spectrum. Here are some red flags that may be indicative of an unhealthy situation.

o Isolation- Does your partner constantly put down your family and friends? Does your partner become angry when you make time to see your family or friends?

o Controlling behavior- Does your partner get angry when you make decisions or set goals for yourself? Do you feel that you need to consult your partner before you make any decisions?

o Jealousy- Does your partner become extremely jealous when you spend your time with other people? Does your partner check your phone, emails, or phone calls or accuse you of cheating?

o Criticism- Does your partner regularly put you down or make you feel bad about yourself? Does your partner deliberately humiliate you in public?

o Hypersensitivity- Is your partner easily insulted? Does your partner get irrationally angry over small and seemingly insignificant things?

o Intimidation- Does your partner use fear or threats to scare you into behaving a certain way? Does your partner threaten to hurt you or themselves?

o Lack of Accountability- Does your partner take responsibility for their actions? Do they sometimes deny negative actions all together?

o Use of force or physical violence- Does your partner use physical force or violence towards you? Does your partner physically block you from moving freely or exiting?

 

If these signs are present in your relationship or in your partner, it is likely that you are in an unhealthy situation. Understand that it takes time to come to terms with this reality and be patient with yourself.

The first time a person experiences abuse, they may feel:

§ Shock

§ Confusion: “how could this happen to me?”

§ Disbelief: Excusing the behavior, rationalizing it, accepting the abuser’s promise that this will never happen again

§ Shame: Keeping the incident a secret, feeling ashamed

§ Outrage

Victims/survivors of repeated abuse in a relationship often experience:

§ FEAR, TERROR: fear of reprisals if they leave or resist, of death, of pain; terror because of the unpredictable nature of the attacks.

§ SHAME, GUILT: the abuser attacks the partner’s sense of accomplishment in various roles (being a good partner, parent, student, etc.) leaving the partner to feel they are failures.

§ EMBARRASSMENT: the partner believes that anyone who discovers the abuse will blame them for causing it or remaining in the relationship.

§ ALONE, HELPLESS, ISOLATED: talking to friends/family is a difficult decision, especially if the partner does not believe they have the resources necessary to leave the relationship.

§ HELPLESSNESS: sets in when the partner realizes they cannot fight back or stop the violence.

§ AMBIVALENT LOVE/HATE FEELINGS: leave the partner in a state of suspended animation and prevents effective action. Most abusers manipulate their partners with loving words and actions. However, it becomes increasingly difficult to reconcile these good qualities with the violence.

§ TRAPPED: due to the abuser’s effective use of isolation, the partner may have an extremely limited ability to financially support themselves. When children are involved, the burden is multiplied. In addition, the abuser may have greater resources to impact the outcome of any legal procedures like divorce, property settlements, child custody, etc. Partners often have no access to the family wealth. Bank accounts and credit cards are usually in the abuser’s name, and the only money provided is an allowance.

§ LOST: if the partner has been prevented from making major decisions in the relationship, they may have no knowledge about dealing with agencies, landlords or other “official” personnel.

§ BETRAYED: by their partner, by helping services who did not help, by friends or family who may have turned away.

§ CONFUSION: the partner receives mixed messages from the abuser. After an abusive episode, things return to an almost idyllic state. The abuser is generally calm, loving, attentive, supportive, etc.

§ THE BELIEF THAT THE ABUSER CAN AND WILL CHANGE: because the abuser is not always violent, the partner maintains hope that anger management, therapy, religion, etc. will bring about change. Unfortunately, the abuser knows the abuse is effective and has little incentive to stop.

If you suspect that you are in an unhealthy relationship with physical violence or you are concerned that physical violence may develop, it is very important to have a safety plan. A safety plan is a basic framework of your course of action should you decide to leave your partner or if the violence escalates.

 

Components of a basic safety plan:

o Be aware of your surroundings- if you are concerned about a violent incident occurring, try to ensure that you are in a room with a clear and accessible exit. Also ensure that you are not in a kitchen, bathroom, or room that may contain hard surfaces or weapons.

o Find a safe way out- In physically abusive relationships, it is important for you to identify a safe way for you to get out of the situation. Identify which doors, windows, elevators, or stairwells you can use and practice this route.

o Make a list- Important numbers such as local police, advocacy centers, domestic violence shelters, family, friends, doctors, and/or employers. Determine a list of places you can go if you decide to leave.

o Pack a grab-and-go bag- Pack a small bag of important items, documents, valuables, and other necessities such as clothes, toiletries, medications, and cash. Keep the bag hidden in your car or at a friend’s house.

o Determine code words- the use of code words can be very useful to discreetly ask for help in the presence of the abuser. Get together with trusted friends or family to determine code words or phrases for “call the police” or “I need your help”.

o Tell your neighbors- if you are comfortable, ask your neighbors to call the police if they hear a serious disturbance.

o Use your best judgement- You know your partner, their behavior, and their tendencies. If you believe that you are in a dangerous or life threatening situation, either call 911 if you have the opportunity and can do so safely, or give the abuser what they want to calm them down. Your safety is your priority.

o Take care of YOU! - call 911 if you need help. There are also many advocacy centers that can provide support, connect you to safe housing, and help you obtain an order of protection.

If you are currently an MSU student, staff, or faculty member, you may consider working through the (Safety Planning at MSU Guide) to devise a safety plan specifically for campus life.

 

Regardless of the type, intensity, or frequency of abuse, a safety plan is always important. The actions of abusive partners can be unpredictable. It is important to hope for the best but prepare for anything less.

An Order of Protection (commonly known as a Restraining Order) is a document signed by a judge that prohibits the Respondent (abuser) from contacting the Petitioner (survivor) in any way including personal contact, other forms of contact (letter, phone call, text, email, social media, etc.), or via third party. The order also states that the Respondent must stay a specific distance away from the Petitioner, the Petitioner’s home, and the Petitioner’s place of work. The Petitioner may also request that children or other family members be included in the order; the request can be granted or denied at the judge’s discretion.

 

When filing for an Order of Protection, you will be asked to include your personal information, personal information about the abuser, and a written narrative of the abuse. The Order of Protection cannot be submitted without this information. When the petition for an Order of Protection is completed, the paperwork will be submitted to a judge to make a decision to grant or deny the order. This process may take one day to one week to complete. When the judge makes a decision, you will be notified.

 

If the order is granted, you will obtain a Temporary Order of Protection. Please note that the Temporary Order of Protection will not go into effect until the Respondent is served the order by Law Enforcement Officers. These orders typically last for 20 days. When the Temporary Order of Protection is granted, the judge will also set a court date at which time you can petition for a Permanent Order of Protection.

 

In order to petition for a Permanent Order of Protection, you will need to be present during the hearing to come before the judge. You will have the opportunity to testify and make recommendations for the length of the order. The Respondent has the right to attend the hearing and testify as well. After hearing both testimonies, the judge will make the determination to grant or deny the Permanent Order of Protection.

 

This process may seem very daunting, but having support can simplify the process. You are encouraged to access the help of HAVEN’s Legal Advocates, MSU VOICE Center Advocates, as well as supportive friends and family members who can help you file the Order of Protection, provide support through the hearing process, and help you develop a safety plan in the interim.

 

To begin the process of filing for an Order of Protection, please contact the HAVEN Legal Advocate at (406)582-2038 or the MSU VOICE Center at (406)994-7069.

If you are dealing with a potentially abusive relationship it may be useful to talk with someone who is knowledgeable about the issues. People in this situation may feel a wide variety of emotions such as being confused, outraged, frightened, overwhelmed, scared, sad, anxious, and depressed.

Experiencing violence can create a host of practical and emotional consequences. While you may want to talk to someone you trust, such as a friend or family member, there are also confidential campus resources available including:

o MSU Counseling & Psychological services

o MSU VOICE Center

o MSU Police Department

MSU’s Counseling & Psychological Services and MSU VOICE Center provide free and highly confidential counseling to students which can be an extremely important part of the healing process.

Many survivors seek out a supervisor, professor, or individual in a position of trust to help provide support. Be advised: some of these people may have an obligation to report to MSU’s Office of Institutional Equity* (this only means that a Title IX Coordinator would be in touch with you to discuss ways MSU can support you and help keep you safe while also discussing your options for moving forward with a more formal complaint and investigation which could potentially result in campus disciplinary actions for the abuser.)

When you seek help from professionals, first ask what level of confidentiality they can provide, who they are required to tell if you were to disclose information regarding an incident. That way, you can make an informed decision.

Some things you might discuss:

· Figuring out what you feel and think about what is going on.

· Getting information that will help you assess the situation, and figure out what you want to do.

· Talking about how to manage your academics or work given your situation.

· Getting help with changing your classes or working with your professors.

· Talking about making a safety plan, if needed.

· Getting medical treatment if you have injuries or are worried about your health.

· Changing where you live to get some space, or safety.

· Reporting to the police, the MSU Dean of Students, or the Title IX Coordinator if appropriate.

 

MSU Counseling & Psychological Services

Confidential & Free Counseling 994-4531

 

MSU VOICE Center

24-Hour Confidential Support Line 994-7069

Information, Support, Advocacy, and Counseling

 

There are also several great resources off-campus that can provide information, support, and free counseling:

HAVEN

Domestic Violence Safehouse, Legal Advocacy, Support

24-Hour Crisis Line 406.586.4111

Help Center/Sexual Assault Counseling Center

24-Hour Crisis Line 406.586.3333

Information, Support, Advocacy, and Counseling

 

Reporting Options (link to Reporting Options for Survivors of Relationship Violence Tab on Main Relationship Violence & Stalking Page)

· Isolation- is the person restricted from seeing certain people, family, or friends? Does this person rarely go out in public without their partner? Does this person tend to make excuses for their own or their partner’s behaviors?

· Low self-esteem or self-worth- Does this person take the blame for everything bad in the relationship? Has this person been putting themselves down or showing major personality changes?

· Physical appearance- Has this person changed their general appearance or grooming habits?

· Physical injuries- Does this person have unexplained bruises and cuts on their bodies or bald spots on their scalp?

If these signs and changes are present in your friend or loved one’s behavior, you are likely very worried for them and may not know how to help. (Link to “What to do” under “How to be supportive of Survivors of Relationship Violence”)

A person who has suffered relationship abuse is often very confused about the relationship and can be hesitant to leave the abusive partner. From the standpoint of a friend or loved one, this can be extremely difficult to understand. These are some of the reasons that the person may be unable or unwilling to leave an abusive partner:

· Finances– A person in an abusive relationship may depend on their partner financially. If the abusive partner has control of the bank accounts, housing expenses, automobile expenses, or health care expenses, the person trying to leave the relationship could end up with nothing.

· Fear of Safety– The most dangerous time for a victim of relationship violence is when they are leaving the abusive partner. The violence tends to escalate and the person leaving may be at risk of serious injury.

· Love/Hope– A person suffering in an abusive relationship may still love their partner. Relationships rarely start out in unhealthy ways and the person may be holding out for the pre-abuse relationship to return.

· Guilt/Blame- Abusers tend to make their partners believe that the problems in the relationship are their fault.

· No Support System– Abusers often isolate their partners from their friends and family, such that the abusive partner becomes the only support. It is extremely difficult for a person to leave an unhealthy relationship if they believe they have no one else to lean on.

· Responsibility– Abusers tend to manipulate their partners into believing that they are responsible for the abuser’s physical and emotional well-being. Many people in unhealthy relationships feel that they are the only person who can understand and care for the abuser, and they feel responsible for making the relationship work.

· Children or Pets– If the two partners have children or pets together, the abusive partner may threaten the other partner with taking away or hurting the child or pet.

There are many concerns and obstacles surrounding the decision to leave an abusive partner; but in the long run, the decision must be made by the person in the abusive relationship. Be there to support them through the process and try to understand how difficult this decision can be.

· Don’t be afraid to reach out and express your concern for the person.

· Be supportive, caring, and listen without judgment.

· Acknowledge and validate their feelings

· Help the person realize that the abuse is not normal and it’s not okay. No one deserves to be abused.

· Be respectful of their decisions.

· Understand that they know their partner better than you do. DO NOT contact or confront the abuser.

· Help them to develop a safety plan.

· Connect your friend or loved one to community resources like the MSU VOICE Center or HAVEN that can help (link to Resources (On & Off Campus) on the “Services/Get Help” Section)

· Whether the person in this situation decides to stay in the relationship or leave, continue to support them.

If physical violence is present in a relationship or you are nervous that physical violence will develop, it is extremely important to have a safety plan. This plan will outline the steps that will be taken in any situation, whether the person in the unhealthy relationship decides to stay with the abusive partner or leave the abusive partner.

Components of a Basic Safety Plan:

· Help them prepare a Grab-and-Go bag– Organize their important papers and legal documents in a file, pack a change of clothes, some cash, toiletries, and any other valuable items into a discrete bag that they can grab in a hurry if they decide to leave.

· Make a contact list together– Important numbers such as the police, advocacy centers, family, friends, doctors, and/or employers. Determine a list of 4 places they can go if they decide to leave and arrange meetings with these locations/people.

· Find a safe way out– In physically abusive relationships, it is important to identify a safe way for the person to get out of the situation. Identify which doors, windows, fire escapes, elevators, or stairwells they could use.

· Determine code words– The use of code words can be very useful for the person in the abusive situation to discretely ask for help in the presence of the abuser. Determine code words or phrases for “I need help” or “call the police”.

· Establish a time frame– If the person in the abusive situation decides to leave, establish a time frame in which to communicate. For example, “If I don't hear from you in twenty minutes, I will call _________.”

· Have a backup plan– help the person formulate an alternate plan if something goes wrong. Go through all the scenarios and come up with a way out in all situations.

· If the person is an MSU student, staff, or faculty member, consider working through the (Guide to Safety Planning at MSU) together to devise a safety plan for campus life.

Regardless of the type, intensity, or frequency of the abuse, a safety plan is ALWAYS important. The actions of abusive partners can be very unpredictable. It is important to hope for the best, but prepare for anything less.

If you were assaulted or harassed by a student, faculty, or staff member you can report the incident to the Office of Institutional Equity, 406.994.2042. This office will work with you to provide accommodations so you can be safe and successful at MSU. A VOICE Center advocate can accompany you to this meeting.

 

If you decide you would like to pursue a formal investigation through MSU, Title IX investigators will investigate the report and submit the findings to the Dean of Students. When allegations of interpersonal violence or misconduct are brought to the Office of Institutional Equity, and a respondent is found to have violated the MSU nondiscrimination or sexual misconduct policy, serious sanctions can be issued to help ensure that such actions are never repeated. Depending on the findings of the investigation, the Dean of Students may impose sanctions that include but are not limited to, no-contact orders, educational mandates, suspensions or dismissals from the University.

* MSU protects victims of sexual assault by not charging them with alcohol or drug violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

The MSU judicial process through the Office of Institutional Equity is independent of the Criminal Justice process. Victims of interpersonal violence can choose to pursue charges in either system, both systems, or to not bring any charges against their perpetrator. Advocates can help you assess this option as well. If you would like more information on MSU’s policies and judicial process, you can visit — https://www.montana.edu/policy/discrimination/ - or contact VOICE Center at 406.994.7069.

Any student or visitor with questions or concerns about sex discrimination or sexual harassment or who believes that they have been the victim of sex discrimination or sexual harassment may contact the Title IX Coordinator for assistance.

MSU encourages reporting to the police at the earliest possibility; but even if a victim chooses not to report immediately, a report can be made later. Reporting an assault is not the same as pressing charges and does not mean you have to go to court. At the MSU Police Department, you can meet a detective or officer to make a report without immediately triggering a full scale investigation. You can learn more about the process, meet the people involved, and make an informed decision. * MSU Police Department protects victims of sexual assault by not charging them with alcohol or drug charges.

If you make the decision to press charges, an investigation will occur and the City or County Attorney’s Office will review the case and determine (with your input) whether or not to file charges in the case. Investigations can take several weeks and/or months to complete before a decision may be made about whether or not to file charges. If charges are filed, a victim-advocate from the Attorney’s Office will keep you notified of the case and assist you through the process.

For more information about reporting a sexual assault to the police, visit http://www.montana.edu/police/crime%20reporting.shtml

You can also file an anonymous report about the crime (or any crime you witnessed) through MSU’s Silent Witness Program by emailing switness@montana.edu. Visit http://www.montana.edu/police/silent.shtml for more information.

Even if you are unsure whether or not you want to pursue any type of investigation, you can still report the incident to either the University, law enforcement, or both. The VOICE Center, Office of Institutional Equity, and the University Police are all available to support your safety and well-being at MSU. Things they may be able to assist you with include:

· Getting a No Contact Order

· Altering the academic environment

· Residence changes

· Providing academic support services

· Connecting you with counseling or medical services

· Providing escorts on campus

· Speaking with your professors

· Arranging for re-taking or withdrawal from course

You also have the option to file an anonymous report about the crime (or any crime you witnessed) through MSU’s Silent Witness Program by emailing switness@montana.edu. Visit http://www.montana.edu/police/silent.shtml for more information.

Stalking behaviors can be very invasive and concerning. Many survivors of stalking experience:

· Feeling scared about what the stalker might do.

· Feeling vulnerable and unsafe

· Feeling depressed, scared, anxious, overwhelmed, irritable, and/or angry.

· Feeling isolated

· Difficulty trusting others

· Difficulty sleeping and/or eating

· Difficulty relaxing (hypervigilance)

These reactions to stalking and very understandable and normal; however, they can be very draining and detrimental over time. Many survivors find it helpful to talk about their experience with an advocate or a counselor. If you would like to be connected with an advocate or if you are interested in counseling, please contact the MSU VOICE Center (406) 994-7069.

Stalking is a highly invasive crime that can make the victim feel very unsafe and vulnerable. If you are experiencing stalking, there are many options available to support you and increase your safety while working to end the stalking behaviors.

Advocacy

You may want to speak with an advocate at the MSU VOICE Center or the Help Center of Bozeman. Advocates are available 24-hours per day to provide emotional support and to inform you of the options available to you. Advocates are also able to attend meetings with you, work

with you to create a safety plan, help you report to police, and provide additional emotional support.

(Link to Resources (On & Off Campus) under Services/Get Help section)

Issuing a warning/cease and desist:

If you are experiencing stalking behavior and are unsure of the stalker’s location or are concerned for your personal safety, your local law enforcement officers may be able to contact the stalker and formally ask them to discontinue the stalking behavior. If you are interested in working with law enforcement to issue a warning, you may contact the MSU VOICE Center or your local law enforcement agency for help.

If you are experiencing stalking behavior, but you are unsure if you want to involve law enforcement, it may be beneficial to send a cease and desist letter via certified mail. This serves as a notification to the stalker to discontinue the behavior. If you are interested in sending a cease and desist letter, you may contact the MSU VOICE Center confidentially to learn about the procedures.

Stalking Log

Keeping a log of all stalking behaviors including: personal contact, run-ins, phone calls, text messages, emails, social media contact (including Facebook, Instagram, twitter, snapchat, tinder, etc.) can be extremely useful when experiencing stalking. This log can be used as evidence if you decide to apply for an Order of Protection or if you decide to initiate an investigation through Law Enforcement. This log may include times, dates, locations, important details, and copies/screen shots of communications. If you have already reported to police, it can be helpful to call the police after each incident can record the case number in the log as well. (Insert link to Stalking Log)

Safety Planning

Creating a safety plan that you can follow may provide some peace of mind if the stalking escalates to a dangerous situation.

Components of a basic safety plan:

o Find a safe way out- If you are concerned about stalking at your home, school, or place of work, you may want to consider identifying alternate exits so you can leave safely and without running into the stalker. Identify which doors, windows, elevators, or stairwells you can use and practice this route.

o Make a list- Important numbers such as local police, advocacy centers, family, friends, and/or employers. Determine a list of places you can go if you decide to leave.

o Increasing safety at home- You may want to consider installing a peep-hole in your front door, changing locks, or adding a dead-bolt. If you have roommates or neighbors, you may consider informing them of the stalking behavior so they can be aware and help you keep an eye out for strange behavior.

o Staying safe with technology- Many stalkers use technology to monitor their victims. You may want to consider making your social media accounts private, updating your

passwords, blocking the stalker from your phone, email, and social media pages. If you are concerned about the stalker obtaining your passwords, consider changing them to a higher security setting.

o Staying safe in the community- You may consider telling your friends or family members about the stalking behaviors in order to help keep you safe when you are out and about. Consider coming up with a code word to let your friends or family know if you see the stalker or if you feel uncomfortable so they can help remove you from the situation.

o Take care of YOU! - call 911 if you are scared or in need of help. There are also many advocacy centers that can provide support, connect you with law enforcement, and help you obtain an order of protection.

 

Reporting Options (link to Reporting Options for Survivors of Stalking on the Main Relationship Violence & Stalking page – see below)

Counseling/ Support Options (link to Counseling/Support Groups on the Get Help sections page)

Contact Us (link to Contact on About page)

If you were assaulted or harassed by a student, faculty, or staff member you can report the incident to the Office of Institutional Equity, 406.994.2042. This office will work with you to provide accommodations so you can be safe and successful at MSU. A VOICE Center advocate can accompany you to this meeting.

If you decide you would like to pursue a formal investigation through MSU, Title IX investigators will investigate the report and submit the findings to the Dean of Students. When allegations of interpersonal violence or misconduct are brought to the Office of Institutional Equity, and a respondent is found to have violated the MSU nondiscrimination or sexual misconduct policy, serious sanctions can be issued to help ensure that such actions are never repeated. Depending on the findings of the investigation, the Dean of Students may impose sanctions that include but are not limited to, no-contact orders, educational mandates, suspensions or dismissals from the University.

The MSU judicial process through the Office of Institutional Equity is independent of the Criminal Justice process. Victims of interpersonal violence, including stalking, can choose to pursue charges in either system, both systems, or to not bring any charges against their perpetrator. Advocates can help you assess this option as well. If you would like more information on MSU’s policies and judicial process, you can visit — https://www.montana.edu/policy/discrimination/ - or contact VOICE Center at 406.994.7069.

Any student or visitor with questions or concerns about sex discrimination or sexual harassment or who believes that they have been the victim of sex discrimination or sexual harassment may contact the Title IX Coordinator for assistance.

MSU encourages reporting to the police at the earliest possibility; but even if a victim chooses not to report immediately, a report can be made later. Reporting an assault is not the same as pressing charges and does not mean you have to go to court. At the MSU Police Department, you can meet a detective or officer to make a report without immediately triggering a full scale investigation. You can learn more about the process, meet the people involved, and make an informed decision. * MSU Police Department protects victims of sexual assault by not charging them with alcohol or drug charges.

If you are experiencing stalking behavior and are unsure of the stalker’s location or are concerned for your personal safety, your local law enforcement officers may be able to contact the stalker and formally give them a warning by asking them to discontinue the stalking behavior. This can often be done without pursuing charges, and can help alert law enforcement to the situation in the case that the behaviors escalate. If you are interested in working with law enforcement to issue a warning, you may contact the MSU VOICE Center or your local law enforcement agency for help.

If you make the decision to pursue criminal charges, an investigation will occur and the City or County Attorney’s Office will review the case and determine (with your input) whether or not to file charges in the case. Investigations can take several weeks and/or months to complete before a decision may be made about whether or not to file charges. If charges are filed, a victim-advocate from the Attorney’s Office will keep you notified of the case and assist you through the process.

For more information about reporting an incident of interpersonal violence to the police, visit http://www.montana.edu/police/crime%20reporting.shtml

You can also file an anonymous report about the crime (or any crime you witnessed) through MSU’s Silent Witness Program by emailing switness@montana.edu. Visit http://www.montana.edu/police/silent.shtml for more information.

Even if you are unsure whether or not you want to pursue any type of investigation, you can still report the incident to either the University, law enforcement, or both. The VOICE Center, Office of Institutional Equity, and the University Police are all available to support your safety and well-being at MSU. Things they may be able to assist you with include:

· Obtaining a No Contact Order

· Altering the academic environment

· Residence changes

· Providing academic support services

· Connecting you with counseling or medical services

· Providing escorts on campus

· Speaking with your professors

· Arranging for re-taking or withdrawal from course

You also have the option to file an anonymous report about the crime (or any crime you witnessed) through MSU’s Silent Witness Program by emailing switness@montana.edu. Visit http://www.montana.edu/police/silent.shtml for more information.