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12 THE COLLEGE'S ANNUAL SECURITY AND FIRE SAFETY REPORT 2020 Criminal Reporting ose who choose to participate in legal action for offenses that occur on campus can contact the Office of CPS at 609.771.2345 or 911 (from any campus telephone). You may also visit the office located in the Administrative Services Building, Room 104. Both the Office of CPS and the Title IX Office can help facilitate the coordination of prompt medical examinations and treatment for possible injuries, sexually transmitted diseases/infections, and pregnancy. If it is within five (5) days of the assault, a variety of evidence can be collected and preserved by activating the county- based Sexual Assault Response Team, Womanspace, regardless of the victim's decision to involve law enforcement. e Office of CPS and the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office will also collect additional forms of evidence if applicable, such as bedding/clothing, photographs of the scene, and anything else directly related to the incident. In order to preserve evidence, victims should not shower, wash clothing, or disturb items at the scene of the crime. Once evidence is collected, it can be held for a period of five years while victims consider whether or not to continue with the legal process. Successful adjudication, in court may be more difficult without this evidence. Reporting a Dating/Domestic Violence Complaint A. Notice. When a police officer responds to a call of a domestic violence incident, the officer must give and explain to the victim the domestic violence notice of rights which advises the victim of available court action. NJSA 2C:25-23. e victim may file: 1. A domestic violence complaint alleging the defendant committed an act of domestic violence and asking for court assistance to prevent its recurrence by asking for a temporary restraining court order (TRO) or other relief; and 2. A criminal complaint alleging the defendant committed a criminal act. See Mandatory Arrest when a police officer must sign the criminal complaint. B. Jurisdiction for filing domestic violence TRO by the victim. 1. During regular court hours; a. e victim should be transported or directed to the Family Part of the Superior Court; and b. Where transportation of the victim to the Superior Court is not feasible, the officer should telephone the designated court by telephone for an emergent temporary restraining order in accordance with established procedure. 2. On weekends, holidays and other times when the court is closed; a. e victim may file the domestic violence TRO before a municipal court judge specifically assigned to accept these complaints. 3. e victim may file a domestic violence complaint; a. Where the alleged act of domestic violence occurred; b. Where the defendant resides; or c. Where the victim resides or is sheltered. C. Jurisdiction for filing criminal complaint by the victim in connection with filing domestic violence complaint. 1. A criminal complaint may be filed against the defendant in locations indicated in Paragraph B.3 above; 2. A criminal complaint filed pursuant to Paragraph C.1 shall be investigated and prosecuted in the jurisdiction where the offense is alleged to have occurred; and 3. A domestic violence complaint may be filed pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph B. D. Mandatory Arrest. A police officer must arrest and take into custody a domestic violence suspect and must sign the criminal complaint against that person if: 1. e victim exhibits signs of injury caused by an act of domestic violence. NJSA 2C:25-21a(1); 2. Where the victim exhibits no visible sign of injury, but states that an injury has occurred, the officer should consider other relevant factors in determining whether there is probable cause to make an arrest; 3. ere is probable cause to believe that the terms of a no contact court order have been violated. If the victim does not have a copy of the court order, the officer may verify the existence of an order with the appropriate law enforcement agency; 4. A warrant is in effect; and/or 5. ere is probable cause to believe that a weapon as defined in NJSA 2C:39-1r has been involved in the commission of an act of domestic violence. In determining which party in a domestic violence incident is the victim where both parties exhibit signs of injury, the officer should consider: a) the comparative extent of injuries suffered; b) the history of domestic violence between the parties, if any; and/or c) other relevant factors. Police shall follow standard procedures in rendering or summoning emergency treatment of the victim, if required. If the crime occurred off campus, victims should contact the local police or the Office of CPS for assistance in reporting the crime to the appropriate police department. Subsequently, the Office of CPS will work in partnership with the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office for investigations and legal proceedings. Victims also have the right to decline to report to or notify law enforcement. Campus Police, Title IX, and the Office of Student Conduct & Off-Campus Services are private, but not confidential resources, therefore any information provided may require that the college follow up with an investigation. Although complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, the college strives to treat all parties with equal care, respect, and dignity and will to the best of their ability preserve the privacy of all parties involved. Retaliation for filing a complaint is strictly prohibited by Title IX and the college. Any accommodation or protective measure provided to the victim will be kept confidential to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality would not impair the ability of the institution to provide the accommodations or protective measures.

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