Important Information for Victims of Sexual Assault
Accessing Medical Care and Examinations
If you are the victim of a sexual assault, it is important for you to receive medical attention and a medical exam from a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE exam/forensic exam). A SANE professional is a nurse who has received special training in caring for, examining and collecting evidence from recent victims of sexual assault.
Naropa University has partnered with Foothills Community Hospital, 4747 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, to provide SANE exams for any student, staff or faculty member who has been the victim of a sexual assault. Victims of sexual assault may seek medical attention at the Foothills Community Hospital Emergency Room and SANE nurses are on-call 24 hours per day.
Boulder Foothills Community Hospital’s SANE exam “includes a history of the assault that guides medical treatment, a detailed physical exam with documentation of injuries, and the collection of legal evidence. Patients are offered medications to prevent communicable diseases as well as emergency contraception when applicable. Information regarding community resources and appropriate medical follow-up are also provided”. For more information regarding Foothills Community Hospital click here.
Forensic/SANE should ideally be performed within 96 hours of the assault. However, occasionally, evidence may be collected after 96 hours has elapses. An exam typically takes about three hours.
Naropa Campus Safety Staff, Title IX Coordinator, Dean of Students, and Snow Lion Residence Hall staff, are able to assist you in getting safely to Foothill’s Community Hospital. All Naropa students and staff are provided an Eco Pass, and the hospital is easily accessible from all 3 campuses and Snow Lion. The above listed staff can also provide you with an RTD voucher. Alternately you can drive or take a taxi.
Boulder Foothills Community Hospital is located at 4747 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80303
Directions from Snow Lion (1900 Goss Street) to Foothills Community Hospital:
- Head east on Goss St toward 20th St
- Goss St turns slightly left and becomes 21st St
- Turn right onto Canyon Blvd
- Turn right onto CO-7 E/US-36 E/28th St/Denver Boulder Turnpike
- Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Arapahoe Ave
- Turn left onto 48th St.
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Riverbend Rd, the hospital will be on your left
- Head west on Goss towards 19th Street
- Turn left on 19th Street
- Follow 19th Street to the Boulder Creek Path
- Follow Boulder Creek Path until you pass under Foothills parkway
- Turn right, then left at the intersection, onto the sidewalk/multi-use path.
- Follow the multi-use sidewalk/bike path along Arapahoe to Foothills CH, which will be on your left-hand side.
- Walk to Arapahoe Avenue and 19th Street, to the bus stop on the south side of the street.
- Wait for the JUMP bus, which arrives every 10 minutes.
- Take the JUMP to Arapahoe and 48th Street (ask the driver to tell you when you are at 48th if you are unsure).
- Cross the street and walk just north to Foothills CH.
Directions from Arapahoe Campus (2130Arapahoe Avenue) to Boulder Foothills Community Hospital:
- Exit parking lot and turn right on to 20th Street
- Turn right onto Arapahoe Avenue
- Follow Arapahoe Avenue east
- Turn left onto 48th Street
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Riverbend Road
- Access the Boulder Creek Path from the south side of campus, following the path behind campus
- Follow Boulder Creek Path until you pass under Foothills Parkway
- Turn right after the underpass, then left at the intersection, onto the sidewalk/multi-use path which runs along Arapahoe Avenue.
- Follow the multi-use sidewalk/bike path along Arapahoe Avenue to Foothills CH, which will be on your left-hand side.
- Walk to Arapahoe Avenue and to the bus stop on the south side of the street, directly in front of campus.
- Wait for the JUMP bus, which arrives every 10 minutes.
- Take the JUMP to Arapahoe Avenue and 48th Street (ask the driver to tell you when you are at 48th if you are unsure).
- Cross the street and walk just north to Foothills CH.
Directions from Paramita Campus (2130Arapahoe Avenue) to Boulder Foothills Community Hospital
- Exit campus, turning right on to 30th Street
- Follow 30th Street south to Arapahoe Ave
- Turn left on to Arapahoe Ave
- Follow Arapahoe to 48th Street
- Turn left on to 48th Street
- Turn left into Foothills CH/Riverbend Road
- Walk just north on 30th street to the bus stop (on the west side of 30th, just outside of the Cork)
- Take the BOUND (SOUTHBOUND towards Baseline) to Arapahoe
- Cross the street and go to the bus stop on the Southeast corner of Arapahoe and 30th
- Catch the JUMP (every 10 minutes)
- Exit at 48th Street (ask the driver to tell you when you are at 48th if you are unsure).
- Cross the street and walk just north to the hospital
Directions from Nalanda Campus (6287 Arapahoe Avenue) to Boulder Foothills Community Hospital:
- Exit Naropa parking lot and turn right on Arapahoe Ave
- Follow Arapahoe Ave to 48th Street
- Turn right on 48th Street
- Turn left at Riverbend Rd, into Foothills CH
- Go to the bus stop at the south end of campus, on the sidewalk just beyond the south side parking lot
- Catch the JUMP bus (Westbound)
- Exit at 48th Street (ask the driver to tell you when you are at 48th if you are unsure).
- Cross the street going west, and the hospital will be on your right.
Taxi Numbers:
Boulder Yellow Cab 303.777.7777
Freedom Cab 303.444.4444
Important Notes for Victims of Sexual Assault
- In the event that a Sexual Assault occurred, please do everything possible to preserve evidence by making certain that the crime scene is not disturbed. (The decision to press charges does not have to be made at this time. However, following these procedures will help preserve this option for the future.) Survivors should not bathe, urinate, douche, brush teeth, or drink liquids. Clothes should not be changed but if they are bring all the original clothing to the hospital in a paper bag. (Plastic bags damage evidence.)
- When necessary seek immediate medical attention at an area hospital and take a full change of clothing, including shoes, for use after a medical examination.
- A Rape Victim Advocate can offer support at the hospital; however survivors generally must ask for the advocate at the hospital.
- Survivors may choose whether or not to speak to the police at the hospital. If they do, the option to choose whether to file charges against the accused still exists.
- Private physicians are not required to notify the police. If a survivor desires police involvement, they may request this contact. Also, with a private physician, survivors may have to ask for a rape kit to be completed. Please keep in mind: having a rape kit or rape exam does not mean that survivors are mandated to press charges. This action only keeps the survivor’s options open.
