Sex offenses, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, are serious crimes. The Appalachian Police Department (App State PD) is committed to supporting individuals who report such incidents by providing immediate assistance, safety planning, and investigative resources.Meet with you privately at a place of your choice to take a complaint report, and if you feel more comfortable talking with a female or male officer, we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Reporting a Crime of Sexual & Interpersonal Violence
Individuals who experience or witness sexual and interpersonal violence are encouraged to report the incident directly to App State PD. Reports may be made 24/7 by contacting our dispatch line at 828-262-8000. If an assault occurs off-campus, App State PD will help you file a report with the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Upon receiving a report, a sworn officer will respond promptly and professionally, taking steps to ensure safety, preserve evidence when applicable, and explain available rights and options to the reporting party.
Personally identifiable information (PII) is respected and protected to the fullest extent permitted by law. When a crime is reported to App State PD, only limited, non-identifying information will be included in the Daily Crime and Fire Log, as required by the Clery Safety Act. In situations where a reported crime poses a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community, a timely warning notification may be issued.
Preserving Evidence:
If you have experienced sexual or interpersonal violence, preserving evidence can be important for both medical care and investigations.
Avoid bathing or showering before a medical examination, which may wash away critical evidence.
Do not clean or disturb the incident's location, and try not to touch any surfaces that may contain evidence (e.g., door handles, bedding, personal items).
Save all your clothing and personal items from the crime and tell the police what you have.
Document any injury you suffered by photography, showing it to someone you trust, and/or making a written record.
These steps are entirely voluntary. Reporting an incident to a Campus Security Authority (CSA) or law enforcement does not automatically trigger an investigation, and you do not need to decide immediately whether to report the incident. However, taking these precautions can help preserve evidence should you choose to do so later. Law enforcement, medical professionals, and campus support services can assist with next steps in a manner that prioritizes safety and autonomy.
Sexual Violence Disciplinary Procedures and Outcomes
App State PD collaborates with designated university offices to ensure that institutional responses to reports of sexual violence are consistent with federal and state law. The Department maintains independent law enforcement investigations of potential criminal violations under North Carolina law.
The university’s administrative proceedings are overseen by the Office of Access & Opportunity: Equal Opportunity, which manages the institutional policies and procedures. University disciplinary outcomes will be referred to the appropriate university office(s), such as the Office of Student Conduct and Human Resources.
Campus Safety Partners
Please visit Appalachian State University Resources to learn more about the various campus entities that promote safety and well-being. Counseling services are available both on and off campus. The university provides counseling services, which include the Counseling and Psychological Services Center for students and the Counseling for Faculty and Staff (CFS) for faculty and staff members.