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

["Bowles, Sharon" <>]

This is of interest to me, as our SA services are done through the Student Counseling Center. I am wondering what all your advocate services include? I changed the term from “advocate” to “liaison” when I took this over, so as to not get confused with advocates from the community who accompany the assaulted for their forensic exams at the hospital, etc. When the need  for SA services on campus was first developed here, many years ago, it was done so by a university wide task force. They gave themselves the name the UniTeD Against Sexual Assault  Project. The original advocates were not part of, but managed by the Women’s Center. Shortly thereafter, the Women’s Center was transferred to a different division within the university. Their goals were changed to deal with Diversity and Women in non-traditionally female careers. At that time, the SA advocacy was handed over to the Counseling Center. In some ways, that is a good location, because it is handled by clinical people who can provide therapy and crisis intervention, as well as other advocacy services. Also, since I am a licensed mental health professional, I am exempt from being a mandated reporter according to the new laws. Students’ interactions with me can remain confidential. I have received certified advocacy training by our local rape crisis center; however, I don’t actually accompany assaulted students to the hospital. I refer them to the local rape crisis center, who also provides our 24 hour hotline for us.

 

What I have found problematic at times, is that most people assume that SA services are under the Women’s Center, or a stand-alone agency within the university. I have experienced that the university tends to identify the Counseling Center as mostly “that’s where you go to get counseling”, rather than the fuller spectrum of advocacy services. I was rather shocked ( and not too happy I will admit), that the administration tasked with getting all the programs in place to meet the updated Title IX, Campus Save, etc laws, consulted with the Women’s Center and the Wellness Dept rather than the identified campus SA liaison-advocate! I think that some of our problem is name confusion. People don’t understand what UniTeD Against Sexual Assault actually is; they invariably think it is a group of some sort, and many believe it must be a student group. I am currently focused on more clearly defining who we are and what services we offer. I am hoping that part of the “re-packaging” will include a name change.

 

No matter where the SA advocacy services are located, so far, we have had very few students over the years use them at the time of an assault. We typically get students in several months afterwards, when they start to have longer term negative effects occurring. I am curious as to whether students would use the services more if associated with the Women’s Center, a clearly identified service within the Counseling Center, or a stand-alone entity on campus. I am interested to hear what others’ experiences are.

Thanks for asking about this,

 

Sharon Bowles, LCSW
UniTeD Against Sexual Assault liaison

Counseling Specialist
UTD Student Counseling Center
SSB 4.600/ 972 883-2575

 

 

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From: Peters, Sara [mailto:]
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2015 1:13 AM
To: ;
Subject: Location of Advocacy Services

 

Dear All, 

 

We are discussing moving advocacy services out from under the umbrella of the Women’s Center. We are discussing various ideas including placing it in the Counseling Center. For anyone who is willing to share where the placement of your advocacy services currently are and the pros and cons, it would be greatly appreciated. I am also curious to hear about any feedback from Women’s Center folks on their thoughts about moving advocacy outside the Women’s Center. Best, Sara

 

 

 

Sara K. Peters

Women's Center Director

Transformation Project Survivor Advocacy Services

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

615 McCallie Avenue

Department 1801

Chattanooga, TN 37403

Phone: 423-425-5605

Fax: 423-425-5649

 

“If you’re making mistakes, it means you’re out there doing something"

 

~ Neil Gaiman