Office of Compliance and Civil Rights (Title IX and DHR)
Title IX Statement
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF GENDER OR SEX
The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of gender, which includes sex and gender identity or gender expression, or sexual orientation, in its education programs or activities.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state
laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual orientation in employment,
as well as in all education programs and activities operated by the University (both
on and off campus), including
admissions. The protection against discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual
orientation includes sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating
and domestic violence, and stalking.
Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or
not the person reporting is the person alleged to have experienced the conduct that
could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in-person, by mail, by
telephone, or by electronic mail, using
the contact information listed below for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other
means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written
report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours)
by using the telephone number or electronic
mail address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination Policies and Title IX complaints for Fresno State.
AVP of Compliance and Civil Rights
University Student Union Suite 316
5280 N. Jackson Avenue M/S SU71
Fresno, CA 93740
Email: agithae@csufresno.edu
Telephone: 559.278.5006
Office for Civil Rights - San Francisco Office
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: 415.486.5555 Facsimile: 415.486.5570
Email: OCR.SanFrancisco@ed.gov
IF YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF ANY KIND OF EMERGENCY, IMMEDIATE HARM OR THREAT OF HARM CALL 9-1-1
You Are Not Alone
Sexual assault counselors (also called victim or survivor advocates) are confidential and available to assist victims/survivors of sexual assault.
Note: Communications with sexual assault counselors/advocates are protected by state law per California Evidence Code Section §§1035.
Sexual assault counselors/advocates can assist by providing the following:
- Confidential, non-judgmental support
- Information about rights and options to help someone make an informed decision
- Help with reporting sexual assault to law enforcement which includes in-person accompaniments to the police station (the same support is also available for those that report sexual misconduct to the Title IX office)
- Information and accompaniments to sexual assault forensic exams (SAFE's) and other medical options
Sexual assault counselors/advocates are available on campus and at community-based sexual assault/rape crisis centers.
Note: If a campus-based sexual assault counselor/advocate cannot be reached, you may contact
a community-based sexual assault/rape crisis center for immediate assistance. Community-based
sexual assault counselors/advocates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling a hotline.
Fresno State Sexual Assault Counselors/Advocates
|
Campus-Based Services provided to all students, staff and faculty regardless of when/where the harm occured. |
Community Based Services provided to all local campus and community members |
|
|---|---|---|
| Department/Organization | Survivor Advocacy Services | Rape Counseling Services of Fresno |
| Contact Information |
Phone: 559.278.6796 (24-Hour Hotline) Email: survivoradvocate@csufresno.edu |
24-Hour Hotline: 559.222.7273 Phone: 559.497.2900 |
| Location |
Student Health & Counseling Center 5044 N. Barton Avenue Fresno, CA 93740 |
259 N. Blackstone Avenue Fresno, CA 93701 |
| Services |
|
|
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Hotline staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via a national sexual assault
hotline. Hotline staff can be contacted via phone at (800) 656-4673, or online chat
at their website, www.rainn.org.
- Please note - when calling the hotline your call will be directed to a local provider
based on the area code of the phone number you are calling from. If you are geographically
located in an area different than the area code of the phone number you are calling
from, hotline staff can still offer you support but may not have information regarding
resources in your location. If this is your situation, please call the 24/7 hotline
at the sexual assault/rape crisis center nearest you.
Additional Options for Support: Additional resources for support are available and include but are not limited to, mental health counseling and psychological services on-campus or community-based, your campus Title IX office, and the CSU's employee assistance program (EAP) are also available.
A law enforcement officer can take a report, help access confidential support, and provide access to medical care after a sexual assault. Police departments are available for response 24/7.
Sexual assaults can be reported at any time (immediately following, days or years after the incident). Statutes of limitations vary, depending on the type of crime/sexual assault and by state. The evidence available, investigations and treatment options may also be impacted by the length of time that has passed since the assault. A sexual assault counselor/advocate or law enforcement can provide you with specific information related to these factors.
| Fresno State Police Department | Fresno Police Department | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Area | Incidents that occured on-campus | Incidents that occurred in community surrounding campus |
| Contact Information |
Phone emergency: 9-1-1 Phone: 559.278.8400 |
Phone emergency: 9-1-1 Phone: 559.621.7000 |
| Location |
2311 E Barstow Avenue Fresno, CA 93740 |
2323 Mariposa St. #2075 Fresno, CA 93721 |
| Hours of Operation |
Monday - Sunday 24 hours a day |
Monday - Sunday 24 hours a day |
| Website | https://adminfinance.fresnostate.edu/police/ |
https://www.fresno.gov/police/
|
More information about reporting sexual assault to law enforcement:
https://www.rainn.org/articles/reporting-law-enforcement
https://www.rainn.org/articles/communicating-law-enforcement
Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE)
(Also known as "rape kits")
A sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) could be used to collect DNA evidence if the assault occurred within 120 hours. Specialized sexual assault nurse examiners collect samples from a victim/survivor that may contain DNA evidence to help a potential prosecution.
A victim/survivor has the right to have a support person with them and can say no to any part of the exam.
There are two types of exams: a VAWA exam and evidentiary exam
| VAWA Exam | Evidentiary Exam | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Requirement | Does not require police report. | Requires police report. |
| Who Helps Access Exam | This option is available through your campus sexual assault counselor/advocate as well as your local sexual assault/rape crisis center. | A police officer will schedule the exam. |
| Who are Exams For | These exams may be appropriate for those that are not ready to speak to and involve law enforcement. Evidence from VAWA exams in California must be preserved for two years in the event that a victim/survivor does want to engage with law enforcement. | These exams are appropriate for those that would like immediate law enforcement involvement. Evidentiary exams are intended to collect forensic evidence for use in criminal prosecution. An evidentiary exam is an option available by filing a report with law enforcement. |
| Level of Police Involvement | Police officers will not take a report and should not engage with the victim/survivor. However, the police department will collect the evidence kit and store it until (and if) the victim/survivor decides to file a police report/criminal charge. |
Police officers may:
|
Note about at-home rape kits: Although well-intentioned, evidence from at home “rape kits" may not be admissible for evidence.
Preserving clothing with potential DNA evidence:
Necessary evidence could be present in the clothes someone wore during the assault
— this evidence can be preserved by being stored in paper bags (mold grows in plastic
bags.) If the person decides to file a police report or obtain a sexual assault forensic
exam (SAFE), the clothes can be provided to them for evidence collection.
More information about sexual assault forensic exams:
https://www.rainn.org/articles/rape-kit
Other Evidence
A sexual assault forensic exam is one way to preserve evidence, but it's not the only
way. Here is a list of other evidence that can be preserved:
- Video – from door cameras, surveillance cameras, social media posts, etc.
- Names of people that may have information such as:
- Eyewitnesses – people who saw behavior or level of intoxication before the assault or witnessed the assault
- Outcry witnesses – people you told about what happened
- Any messages or communication with the perpetrator, including voicemails, texts, email and social media messaging (taking screenshots can be helpful)
- Information/documentation about or photos of injuries
- Receipts – showing where you were or what you were doing
It's ok if someone does not wish to file a police report or get a sexual assault forensic exam. That said, depending on the nature of the assault, it may still be important to obtain medical care to address potential injuries, exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STI's), or if there may be a risk of pregnancy.
Note: Emergency contraceptives are also available at local pharmacies without prescription.
Options for Medical Care
Sexual Assault Forensic Exam
Location: Confidential
Contact Information: Local sexual assault/rape crisis center and/or law enforcement
agency
Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Notes: See above “Collecting Evidence" for more information
Fresno State Student Health and Counseling Center
Location: 5044 N. Barton Avenue, Fresno, CA 93740
Contact Information: 559.278.2734
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:45 pm
Website: https://studentaffairs.fresnostate.edu/health/
St. Agnes Medical Center
Location: 1303 E Herndon Ave. Fresno, CA 93720
Contact Information: 559.450.3205
Hours of Operation: 24 Hours a day, Monday-Sunday
Website: saintagnescare.com
Location: 6095 N. 1st Street, Fresno, CA 93710
Planned Parenthood
Contact Information: 559.446.1515
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8am-5pm
Website: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/california/fresno/93710/family-first-health-center-2365-90130
Note: Per California Penal Code §§11160, all medical providers in California are required to notify law enforcement when they are treating an injury caused by “abusive or assaultive" behavior. This means that a healthcare provider may need to make a police report if their patient discloses that the injury they are seeking treatment for was caused by abuse or assault. The victim/survivor, however, has the right to not speak to law enforcement or share additional information.
Update Message Regarding the Title IX Annual Report for 2022-2023
In response to feedback from Cozen O’Connor following their assessment of the CSU’s Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (DHR) programs and from the California State Auditor following their audit of the CSU’s system to assess the CSU’s handling of sexual harassment complaints against employees at the Office of the Chancellor (Chancellor’s Office), California State University, Fresno, San José State University, and Sonoma State University the CSU Chancellor’s Office is refining the categories of Title IX data it gathers to ensure the accuracy of campus Title IX Annual Reports and to facilitate more precise analysis and identification of patterns and trends. While the CO works to update the data queries, CSU campuses will defer issuing Title IX Annual Reports until the Chancellor’s Office finalizes new guidance for data collection and reporting.
During this time, all CSU campuses will continue to issue the Annual Security Report, accessible for Fresno State at https://adminfinance.fresnostate.edu/clery/documents/report.pdf, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act). This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning Clery Act defined crimes that were reported to have occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the CSU, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. This report includes, but is not limited to, reported incidents of sexual assault (including rape, fondling, incest, and statutory rape), domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Please note that the data in the Annual Security Report differs from the data that has historically been reported in a campus’s Title IX Annual Report due to the specific definitional and geographical parameters required for Clery statistics.