Breadcrumb Navigation:

Home > Current Students > Police > College Safety > Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault

NOVA Police will respond promptly to any report of sexual assault that occurs on any NOVA Campus. Sexual assault or abuse of any kind will not be tolerated at the College. All students, faculty and staff who have been subjected to any form of sexual assault or abuse on campus are encouraged to report the incident to NOVA Police immediately. If the incident occurred off campus, it should be reported to the police department in that jurisdiction. If you need help contacting an external police department you can call the NOVA Police non-emergency line at 703.764.5000. You may also contact NOVA Sexual Assault Services at 703.338.0834 if you need accompaniment to a police station or for further information and support.

If a sexual assault does occur, you should:

  • Get to a safe place as soon as possible.
  • Call 911. Notify NOVA Police at 703.764.5000 if the incident occurred on a NOVA campus. College faculty and staff members can also assist you in reporting an incident.
  • Try to preserve all physical evidence. Do not bathe or change clothes.
  • Get medical attention as soon as possible.
  • Contact someone to stay with you and support you. Consider contacting NOVA Sexual Assault Services at 703.338.0834 for information and support.

The following community resources offer free and confidential services and support to those impacted by sexual assault, abuse or violence:

College disciplinary procedures is another option available to victims of sexual assault if both parties are NOVA students. Disciplinary procedures have no connection with the campus police department and are initiated through the office of the Dean of Students. During college disciplinary procedures, both the accuser and accused are entitled to have support present in the form of an attorney, counselor or adviser. The outcome of any college disciplinary proceeding will be made known to both the accuser and the accused. Sanctions for sexual assault may range up to and include suspension or expulsion from the College and prosecution under state laws. Criminal prosecution for sexual assault is initiated by contacting NOVA Police or other local police authority. For incidents that occur on campus in which both parties are students, it is highly encouraged that a report be filed with both NOVA Police and the office of the Dean of Students. Cases involving one or more members of the College's faculty or staff will be handled similarly, but will be reported to NOVA's Department of Human Resources in addition to or in place of the Dean of Students. Sanctions for faculty or staff are determined by Virginia Department of Human Resources Management policies.