/ Student Development

Off Campus Support

We have wonderful partners in our community who provide great support if you have been the victim of sexual assault or interpersonal violence.

Review the information about each support area carefully, as some provide confidential services while others will inform Hope College about incidents reported to them. Each of these organizations provide excellent support to Hope students.

RESILIENCE: Advocates for Ending Violence

Resilience is a local agency whose mission is to respond to, reduce, and prevent domestic and sexual violence. They provide a variety of services including sexual assault and domestic violence advocacy, trauma therapy, support groups, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) kits for evidence collection and a variety of other supportive services to victims and survivors. Individuals can contact their 24-hour crisis line or walk into the agency during regular business hours to receive services.

Contact

411 Butternut Drive
Holland, MI 49423
616.392.2829

24-hour crisis line: 800.848.5991
Español: 866.728.2131

SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINATION

Every victim has the right to have a forensic exam completed. Resilience is the only local agency where an individual can receive a forensic sexual assault examination by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (also known as “SANE Nurse”).

RESILIENCE
411 Butternut Drive
Holland, Michigan 49424
616.392.2829
24-hour crisis line: 800.848.5991
Español: 866.728.2131

SANE Nurses can assess injuries related to physical trauma, evaluate for sexually-transmitted infections and possible pregnancy, provide medical care (including medications to prevent infections and pregnancy), and can, within the first 120 hours after a sexual assault (see Michigan legislation), administer a “forensic exam.”

During the forensic exam, the SANE Nurse documents and collects evidence of sexual contact and/or physical trauma (including injuries to the body and genitals), trace evidence, biological fluids and identifiable DNA. When there is reason to believe that an assault may have been facilitated by the use of drugs or alcohol, the forensic exam may also include the collection of urine and blood samples for toxicology testing.

You are not required to report an incident to law enforcement or Hope College in order to receive medical attention or a forensic exam. Resilience will store the forensic exam evidence for 12–24 months. Students can contact the SANE Nurse and inform them that they would like to file a report at any time within 12 months after the exam is completed.

You may have a support person of your choosing present while at Resilience. In addition, Resilience ensures that an advocate from their agency is available to all patients reporting sexual assault. You may accept or decline the confidential services of the Resilience advocate.

Whateve you choose, you are encouraged to seek follow-up care to address any ongoing medical concerns, including those related to sexually-transmitted infections and pregnancy. You may access follow-up care at the Hope College Health Center, the Ottawa County Health Department, Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence, or through any appropriate health care provider outside of the college.

HOLLAND HOSPITAL

Any individual who experiences sexual assault or any other form of interpersonal violence is strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical attention at Holland Hospital to treat for physical wounds.

Holland Hospital Emergency Department

602 Michigan Avenue
Holland, Michigan 49423

Holland Hospital Emergency Department will only treat physical wounds and provide any immediate medical care. Holland Hospital does not administer Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) kits.

Hope College Campus Safety can provide transportation to Holland Hospital by calling 616.395.7770.

HOLLAND POLICE

If the incident you experienced happened in Holland, any criminal reports would be filed through the Holland Department of Public Safety. Additionally, they can help you explore the process of obtaining a Personal Protection Order (PPO) if needed. (If the incident did not occur in Holland, you would file through the local jurisdiction where the incident occurred.)

The Holland Department of Public Safety

Police Operations
89 West 8th Street
Holland, MI  49423

Lobby Hours (Police and 58th District Court)
Monday–Friday: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.  
Open lobby hours are not available on weekends. However, you may always “ring the buzzer” 24/7, located in the 8th Street entrance lobby foyer area.

If you need to report a crime or suspicious, call 911.  
If you feel the incident is not an urgent or emergency situation, call the non-emergency central dispatch number, 800.249.0911.