Provo police responded Wednesday night to a lawsuit accusing Brigham Young University quarterback Jake Retzlaff of rape, denying allegations from the plaintiff that the department encouraged her not to pursue charges.

The lawsuit’s plaintiff, named in the court as Jane Doe A.G., alleges she connected with the Provo Police Department in November 2023, days after she was allegedly assaulted by Retzlaff.

The suit claims she did not initially share Retzlaff’s name with police out of fear he would retaliate, but changed her mind when an officer inquired the name because there was another complaint filed against a football player and police wanted to know if it was the same person.

“At that point,” court documents said, “Jane Doe A.G. shared Retzlaff’s name, and the Provo police then encouraged her not to do anything because, as they claimed, ‘sexual assault victims never get justice.'”

Provo police contend this never happened and said the department has not been served any legal filing relating to the case as of Wednesday night.

“The civil suit states that Provo Police personnel discouraged the victim from proceeding, by telling her there is no justice for victims of sexual assault,” Provo police said. “From everything we have reviewed, this is not true.

“We have a team of dedicated investigators and victim advocates whose sole mission is to provide justice to victims of sexual abuse. They do not send people away, warning them there is no justice for victims.”

The Police Department said it identified a “possible correlating case report” to the civil suit, citing that on Nov. 27, 2023, it received a phone report from a woman with the initials A.G., who gave a similar account to the lawsuit.

The department claims the woman was “treated with courtesy and care” and that she was given several opportunities to identify her abuser, but declined to do so and the case was closed.

Police also said evidence was examined and revealed “no actionable investigative leads,” and that the police’s victim advocates followed up “several times” to offer services but did not receive a response.

The Police Department said it hopes the plaintiff makes a statement to further the criminal investigation if desired.

“We will continue to assist and serve all victims of abuse,” the department said.

The civil lawsuit against Retzlaff was filed Wednesday in the 3rd District Court of Salt Lake City. The plaintiff is seeking damages for the alleged battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The woman claims she was raped, choked and bit by Retzlaff at his Provo home in November 2023.

Retzlaff is a two-year starter at quarterback at BYU and is entering his redshirt senior season.