The Park City Police Department recognizes that sexual assaults are often under reported due to fears of retaliation, revictimization, or concerns about the handling of the case. To address this, our Victim Advocates provides survivor-centered, trauma-informed support throughout the criminal investigation process. Reporting a sexual assault to law enforcement is a deeply personal decision. To support survivors in reporting their experiences and accessing information and resources, the Park City Police Department offers the following information. 

Initial reports often start with a call to dispatch:

  • Emergency calls: 9-1-1
  • Non-emergency calls: 435-615-5500

An initial officer will typically respond to the victim’s location to address the following: 

  • Health and safety of the victim
  • Preservation and collection of evidence
  • Create brief report of the crime
  • Gather any information that may help identify the suspect

Medical and forensic examinations may be completed via medical providers:

  • SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) can collect a sexual assault kit
  • Victim Advocates from the Peace House and from the Park City Police Department 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
  • Restricted means a kit that does not have an accompanying release form signed by the patient authorizing law enforcement to submit for forensic testing. Unrestricted kit means a kit that has an accompanying release form signed by the patient allowing law enforcement to submit for forensic testing

PCPD Evidence Technicians may respond to:

  • Collect evidence
  • Document a crime scene

The case will then move to a follow-up investigation phase:

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

Sexual Assault Hotlines

  • English: Utah’s 24-hour Sexual Violence Help Line: 801-736-4356
  • Spanish: Línea de Apoyo de Violencia Sexual las 24 Horas de Utah: 801-924-0860
  • Emotional support and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth: 1-866-488-7386
  • Sego Lily Crisis Hotline for Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Victims of Abuse:
      • Main Office Video Phone: 385-474-2083 (daytime)
      • After Hours Video Phone: 855-812-1001
  • Stronghearts: Support for Native Victims: 1-844-762-8483
  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Sexual Assault Kit Information: 801-893-1145, an advocate will help connect you to a law enforcement agency that will help answer your questions about the status of a recent sexual assault kit

Online Support for Sexual Assault

  • Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System, look up the status of a specific sexual assault kit using date of birth and kit number
  • The Trevor Project provides trained counselors for LGBTQ youth. Call, text, or chat anytime you need support. If you are thinking about suicide, or feeling lonely, they are there to listen
  • Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA), provides a wide variety of resources for Survivors, Advocates, Sexual Assault Nurses, and Community members.
  • MenHealing, gives healing resources and information for male survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault.
  • National Suicide Prevention, free and confidential support is available 24/7 for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the US.

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. 

Utah Legislature and 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.

Victims have a right to:

  • Be informed as to the level of protection from intimidation, free from harassment, harm and abuse available to them throughout the criminal justice process
  • Be informed and assisted as to their role in the criminal justice process
  • Have a clear explanation regarding relevant legal proceeding
  • Have a secure waiting area that does not require them to be in close proximity to defendant or the family or friends of defendant
  • Seek restitution and reparations
  • Have any personal property returned to the victim when the court or prosecution no longer needed
  • Reasonable employer intercession services to minimize employees’ loss of pay and other benefits resulting from their participation in the criminal justice process
  • Object to a petition for expungement
  • Should have a speedy disposition of the entire criminal justice process
  • Timely notice of judicial proceedings they are to attend and timely notice of cancellations

Victims’ Rights listed are summarized from the Utah State Code §77-37. Refer to the code for exact and full language.