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

["Langford, Linda" <>]

Dear Youngjoo,

 

Dolores Cimini runs the Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program at SUNY Albany with multiple components including a student-staffed hotline. The hotline volunteers are trained to assist with array of health and safety topics, including but not limited to sexual violence. I’ve heard Dolores present about the program and I know their application, training, and supervision procedures are very well-developed. One unique feature is that students can enroll in a credit-bearing class as part of their involvement.

 

Overall program description: http://www.albany.edu/counseling_center/aboutme.shtml . Click on the + next to services to expand the list, and then + next to hotline to see a brief description.

 

Background information about the program and application form: http://tinyurl.com/6no78h7 (it’s a Word file, so you may have to “allow popups” before you can click Open to view the file.) Good summary of the various components, credit-bearing classes, and requirements for participation, as well as the actual application questions.

 

And here’s a PDF of a presentation by Dolores and Jason Robertson from UNC-Greensboro about integrating peer educators into prevention efforts: http://tinyurl.com/7abnqc3. This particular presentation was developed for individuals working in suicide prevention, so the topical aspects don’t apply (and Jason’s program doesn’t include a hotline at all.) But the first section provides a nice overview of the Middle Earth program and, starting on slide 30 through the end of the presentation, they’ve assembled a comprehensive checklist of program considerations that I think you’ll find helpful.

 

I’m sure Dolores would be happy to provide you with additional information – there’s a “contact us” link on the program description webpage above and Dolores’ contact info is at the end of the ppt.

 

Best,

Linda

 

 

Linda Langford, Sc.D.

Associate Center Director, Violence Prevention Initiatives

U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Violence Prevention

http://HigherEdCenter.ed.gov

Evaluation Scientist, Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)

www.sprc.org/

43 Foundry Avenue, Waltham, MA 02453-8313

voice (800) 676-1730 x2719 OR (617) 618-2719 (direct line)

fax (617) 928-1537

 

 EDCInc 

From: Young Joo Kang [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2012 12:26 AM
To:
Subject: Selection of Peer Responders

 

Morning all,

 

I am emailing to ask for insight from those of you who work at higher institutions with student sexual assault peer responders. At Johns Hopkins, a student group called the Sexual Assault Response Unit operates a 24/7 peer hotline for sexual violence issues. Currently the group is undergoing some changes and as its advisor, I am wondering what the selection process is like at other institutions for students interested in training to become hotline responders. 

 

For example, is the selection process entirely staff-run and staff-decided or do existing students within the group have a say? Is there an application process and if so, how extensive is it? What importance do you place on interviews? etc etc etc. 

 

If people know of best practices or can speak from experience what works best, I would love to hear what other student responder groups and their advisors do. 

 

Thanks and best,

Youngjoo

 

 

Young Joo Kang

Sexual Violence Response Coordinator, Victim Advocate

Johns Hopkins University

3003 N. Charles St., Suite S-200

Baltimore, MD 21218