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

["Thompson, Stephen M." <>]

Hi All

I have been contacted frequently in the past month concerning peer advocacy.  
 Specifically how we started our Sexual Aggression Peer Advocate (SAPA) 
program in 1997 and what it looks like today.  First, please go to 
www.sapa.cmich.edu for an overview of the program.  In 1996 I was teaching 
classes addressing sexual aggression.  Almost daily survivors were wanting to 
speak with me about their experiences and resources available to them. I 
asked why they did not use our counseling center or community based 
advocates. Their response was a feeling of distance, meaning counselors and 
community based "adults" could not relate to the college age survivor and 
their experiences.  Whether that was true does not matter as that was their 
impression.  We soon realized survivors needed to have a confidential 
advocacy service that was easily accessible, relatable, and was staffed by 
highly qualified peers.  The cornerstone was and is confidentiality.  
Approval was given by our university counsel to cover the confidentiality 
through associating the advocates with the Counseling Center.  At that time 
there were no peer advocate programs that had complete confidentiality to use 
as models.  We advertised, interviewed and started the first program  with 
ten advocates.  We contracted our local Women's Aid of Mt. Pleasant to 
conduct the first 40 hour training.   Two years after starting SAPA we no 
longer needed Women's Aid to conduct training. Once trained we began the 24/7 
advocacy service.  We did not want to use a direct service model where there 
would be office hours but rather we wanted it to be flexible for the 
advocates.  We started with pagers but soon found them to be a problem, so we 
switched to cell phones.  Protocols were established for responding to calls, 
leaving class, etc..  That first year our advocates received approximately 
twelve contacts.  Today we have over 35 volunteer advocates that now average 
approximately 250 contacts per academic year.  Because this group conducts 
the mandatory student orientation program: "No Zebras, No Excuses – 
Bystanders and Sexual Aggression", as well as weekly programs on campus, many 
of the contacts are in person after these programs. Three years ago we 
started SAPA Chat, which is our on-line, real time advocacy service for those 
who would prefer contacting us that way as opposed to by phone.

We ask that our advocates commit two years to the program.  In the spring we 
advertise and receive over 70 applications for the 10-15 yearly vacancies. 
After interviews the "rookies" are selected to go through our 50 hours of 
very rigorous and comprehensive training. All current as well as new 
advocates must attend every minute of the 50 hours.  Many veteran SAPA's have 
received 100-150 hours of training in addition to experiencing several 
contacts.

No contact information is shared with me, or anyone without the permission of 
the survivor/contact.  Please refer to the web sites for more information.  
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Steve

Stephen M. Thompson
PES
Director – Sexual Aggression Services
SAC 195
Central Michigan University
Phone: 989-774-6677
Web:  www.sapa.cmich.edu
<www.sapa.cmich.edu> www.nozebrasandmore.com<www.sapa.cmich.edu>