Sexual Assault Advocate

OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVOCATES

Department: Counseling Services

Office: Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)

Reports To: Campus Violence Prevention Director

The Sexual Assault  Advocate reports directly to the Campus Violence Prevention Director and provides advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Advocates provide emotional support to survivors and connect them with the resources available to them on and off campus. Advocates will be available in each residence hall. They will participate in training, and workshops. 

Reporting Structure and Protocol: 

·        Sexual Assault Advocates report to the Campus Violence Prevention Director.

·        Programming and marketing initiatives must be approved by the Campus Violence Prevention Director

·        Changes in schedules or availability must be communicated and approved by the Campus Violence Prevention Director

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Complete all mandatory training. 
• Assist, plan, and coordinate monthly programming. 
• Provides referrals to local services; provides information/education about sexual assault and domestic violence.
• Collects demographic information for documentation. Maintains data entry records.
• Provide trauma-informed responses to survivors.
• Responds professionally, empathetically, and with the sensitivity each call deserves. 
• Summarize calls, including resources needed, and those provided.
• Respond to survivors' requests for sexual assault and domestic violence materials (i.e. Brochures, flyers, posters, handouts, and other materials).
• Assist in maintaining a list of updated resources for survivors.
• Develop safety plans with survivors.

Requirements:

 ·        Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.

·        *GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

·        Obtain 2 Professional letters of recommendation.

·        Availability to attend all training and Campus events.

 Please note: Continuation in the Sexual  Advocate student leadership position requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 to be maintained. To ensure this goal is achieved, Peer Advocates must submit mid-term and final grades each semester for review. Proof of current GPA must be included with the application.

Reporting Duty and Confidentiality Requirement:

Due to the nature of the position, a sexual assault advocate may receive information from peers or others that is confidential, private, and/or sensitive. If the peer advocate learns of information that may give rise to a violation of the university's sexual misconduct policy, regardless of how or when they learned (including outside of working hours), he or she is required to promptly report this to the University’s Title IX office. With the sole expectation of this reporting duty, peer advocates are required to hold private and/or sensitive information strictly confidential and never disclose it to anyone in any manner. By accepting a peer advocate position, the student acknowledges these special responsibilities and agrees to always abide by them, including outside of work hours, and after leaving the peer advocate position for any reason.