Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Linder,Chris" <>]

Hi all - At Colorado State University we have a 24-hour on-call system for 
sexual assault survivors to speak with a peer advocate (called the Victim 
Assistance Team). Currently, survivors call CSUPD dispatch and give a name 
and number, and the advocate calls back. Even though this is a separate 
process from reporting to the police, we have become concerned that simply 
having the police answer the calls creates a barrier to services (since many 
survivors may not want to have any contact with the police at all).

We would appreciate if those if you who have 24-hour on-call advocacy 
programs would be willing to share how you handle this on your campus. Do the 
calls go to the advocate directly? Do you use pagers? Cell phones? Some type 
of answering service?

Also, for anyone who has a peer advocacy service, what do you call your 
group? We are also considering a name change because we have been getting 
calls unrelated to sexual assault.

We'd appreciate any feedback  you can provide.

Thanks!

Chris

Chris Linder
Director, Women's Programs & Studies
Instructor, Department of Ethnic Studies
112  Student Services
Fort Collins, CO 80523-8200
Phone: (970) 491-6384
Fax: (970) 491-4922

wps.colostate.edu