Weber County Guide for Victims of Sexual Assault
Rape and sexual assault are serious offenses. The Weber County Sheriff's Office knows these types of crimes are often underreported for various reasons, including the fear of retaliation, victimization, or concerns about how the case will be handled. The Weber County Sheriff's Office has detectives dedicated to investigating rapes and sexual assaults, working closely with our Victim Advocate to offer survivor-centered, trauma-informed care throughout the duration of the criminal investigation. Choosing to file a police report with law enforcement about a sexual assault is a deeply personal decision. The Weber County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to help survivors report their experiences and to help them access information and resources, The Weber County Sheriff's Office is providing the following information:
Weber County Sheriff'sSexual Assault Investigation Policy
Initial reports often start with a call to dispatch:
- Emergency calls: 9-1-1
- Non-emergency calls: 801-395-8221
An initial officer will typically respond to the victim's location to address the following:
- The health and safety of the victim
- Preservation and collection of evidence
- Create a brief report of the crime
- Gather any information that may help identify the suspect
Medical and forensic examinations may be completed via medical providers:
- NUSAFE (Northern Utah Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners) can collect a sexual assault kit
- Victim Advocates can be present during a forensic examination
- If a sexual assault kit is collected it will be given to an officer to book into police evidence
- Survivors can restrict their kit or track the kit to remain informed about the status
The case will then move to a follow up Investigations phase:
The case will be reviewed by the Investigation Unit Sergeant
A Detective will be assigned to the case
- Per trauma-informed best practices, the Detective will typically wait for a few days before reaching out to the victim
- The Detective will conduct any appropriate follow-up interviews and investigative actions
- The Detective will present cases to the prosecutor for review
Victim Services may be provided at any phase of the case and/or be available throughout the entire case:
- Prior to reporting
- At the time an initial report is filed
- During a forensic or medical exam
- At the time of a Detective's follow-up interview
- During the prosecutor review process
- During any civil or criminal court processes
- After the completion of any criminal justice system responses
Victim advocates are available to help provide support, guidance, resources, and advocacy. To speak with a victim advocate, call 801-778-6604 or 801-392-7273(after hours crisis line). Callers can call from a blocked number, can provide an alias name, or opt to provide no personal information when calling this number.
Survivors of sexual violence can also access help by contacting the Rape Recovery Center at 801-467-7282, the Utah’s 24 hour Sexual Violence help line at 1-(888)-878-2272 or the YCC Rape Crisis Line at (801)-394-6552 .
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https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/utah/washington-terrace/84405/ogden-health-center-2256-91730How To Access Law Enforcement
- Non-emergency dispatch for Weber County Sheriff's Office: 801-395-8221
- Emergency: 9-1-1
Medical Resources
- Emergency medical care after a sexual assault can be accessed through local hospitals
- Northern Utah Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners SAFEs (Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners) can respond to perform a sexual assault exam and collect evidence via a sexual assault kit
- Follow up medical care can be accessed through the Weber County Health Department or your medical provider
- Funds for medical treatment may be available through the Utah Office for Victims of Crime (UOVC). You can speak to a Victim Advocate at 801-778-6604 or call UOVC at 801-238-2360 for more information.
Mental Health Services
- Funds for counseling may be available through the Utah Office for Victims of Crime (UOVC). You can speak to a Victim Advocate at 801-778-6604 or call UOVC at 801-238-2360 for more information.
- Community Crisis Intervention & Support Services & MCOT (Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams) 801-625-3700
- Utah Crisis Line 800-273-8255
- Utah's 24-hour sexual violence help line: 801-736-4356
- Dial 988 for crisis help and support
Victims and witnesses of crime have fundamental rights in the criminal justice process to ensure that all victims are treated with dignity, respect, courtesy, and sensitivity. Victims also have the right to privacy. Utah legislation and the state Constitution protects and honors victims' rights. You can locate these rights in the Utah Constitution, Article 28 and in the Utah Criminal Code at 77-37, 77-38 and 77-38a. There are specific victims' rights for survivors of sexual violence. For more information about these rights, please contact Weber County Sheriff's Office Victim Services at 801-778-6604.
- Weber County Children's Justice Center https://www.cjcogden.org
- Ogden YCC https://www.yccogden.org/programs/sexual-assault/
- Safe & Healthy Families: https://healthcare.utah.edu/pediatrics/programs-services/safe-healthy-families
- Rape Recovery Center: https://www.raperecoverycenter.org/
- Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic: https://www.ucvlc.org/
- Utah Office for Victims of Crime: https://crimevictim.utah.gov/
- Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault: https://www.ucasa.org/resources
- Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System: https://publicsafety.utah.gov/sexual-assault-kit-initiative-saki/sexual-assault-kit-tracking-system-2/
- RAINN: https://www.rainn.org/
- Sexual violence protective orders: https://www.utcourts.gov/en/self-help/categories/protect-order/protective-orders.html
- YCC Family Crisis Center: https://www.yccogden.org/
