A WSU student reported waking up in a fraternity following an alleged rape, according to Pullman Police Department officials.

The incident was reported 7:45 p.m. Monday, but took place over the weekend.

The Daily Evergreen has withheld the fraternity’s name to protect the victim’s identity.

Pullman Police Sgt. Dan Dornes said the victim is a 19-year-old female and a WSU student. At this time there is no confirmed suspect, though Dornes said investigators are looking into a person of interest. It is unclear at this time if drugs or alcohol were a factor.

No rape kit was performed, but Dornes said when there is a time delay between an incident and the report, the absence of a rape kit is not unusual. He added that although the rape kit is used to gather forensic evidence, it is also performed for safety reasons.

"Medical staff will do more than just a rape kit. They will also help with other health precautionary concerns like STDs," Dornes said.

Christine Wall, executive director of Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse said victims of sexual assault often avoid forensic examinations due to fear of identification, noting that many people don’t realize a forensic exam is covered entirely by the state and will not appear on insurance records.

Emilie McLarnan, the assistant director to ATVP, added that forensic exams generally must take place within 72 hours. She said that a victim does not have to decide if they want to pursue the case in the criminal justice system immediately after a forensic exam, but that the evidence will be held should they ever decide to pursue action in the future.

Dean of Students Melynda Huskey said in an instance such as this, the university’s goal is to make sure the student has information about the resources available to them on campus.

"We see our role, first and foremost, as supporting students, and then secondary, how we can best support the community and make it safe," Huskey said.

If information about a sexual assault is brought to the university, Huskey said it triggers a series of actions beginning with contacting the alleged victim to provide information and support.

Huskey said if a student decides against a university investigation, the university will not pursue their own investigation without the victim, unless there is a "significant risk to the university community." That decision is made by Title IX Coordinator Kimberly Anderson.

In any situation in which an investigation is continued, accused students are given notice and resources for support before the case is brought before the student conduct board.

The conduct board consists of students, faculty, and staff members appointed by the vice president for student affairs. At conduct hearings, there are no minimum or maximum sanctions, and each circumstance is looked at on a case-by-case basis, Huskey said.

Ten forcible sex offenses were reported on the WSU Pullman campus in 2013, according to the 2014-2015 Cougar Annual Security/Fire Report put out by the university. The same report lists six sexual offenses in 2012, and eight in 2011.

A forcible sex offense is defined by the university as any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against a person’s will; or not forcibly against that person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent.

There are multiple resources for victims of sexual assault, including ATVP, Counseling and Testing Services, the Dean of Students, the Office of Equal Opportunity, Pullman Regional Hospital, WSU Health and Wellness Services, and the police outlets in Pullman

Additional reporting by Michelle Fredrickson and Nathan Howard