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    GVESS

    Main Office: 303-871-3853

    103 Nelson Residence Hall

    gvess@du.edu

    8:00am - 4:00pm

     

    Gender Violence Resource Center (GVRC):

    303-871-2220

    102 Nelson Residence Hall gvrc@du.edu
    8:00am - 4:30pm

     

    SASA Network:

    303-871-3456 

    24/7 Fall, Winter, Spring quarters   

 

 

Sexual Assault Survivor Advocates Network (SASA Network)

What is the SASA Network?:
The DU Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Network (The SASA Network) which exists to assist DU students, staff, faculty, or visitors who have been sexually assaulted. These trained advocates will assist survivors, and any family or friends, to cope with the physical, psychological, judicial and/or legal aftermath resulting from a sexual assault. Although the advocates undergo an intense 30 hour training program, they are not trained or certified counselors and their role is to listen to the survivor and to explain options rather than offer crisis counseling.

Advocates can meet with a student in a residence hall room, at a designated spot on campus, or another agreed upon location.

They can talk to you about and answer questions on the following:

  • The many options for reporting or not reporting
  • The Hospital process including the SANE (rape kit)
  • Denver Police Department procedures
  • Campus Safety procedures
  • Citizenship and Community Standards procedures
  • Victim compensation - financial reimbursement for costs incurred because of the assault
  • District Attorney’s procedures
  • Aftermath of assault
  • Survivor empowerment
  • Rape Trauma Syndrome and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

NOTE: Calling for an advocate does not obligate reporting anything to the police, except when there is a significant public safety concern.

 

Goals of the SASA Network:

1. To provide the DU campus and community with an ever increasing group of students, staff, and faculty who understand the complexity of sexual assault and the resources available to survivors.

2. To provide a seamless provision of service to survivors of sexual assault on DU's campus and to foster a safe environment for those survivors who choose to talk to someone about their experience.

3. To provide an ever increasing group of DU students, staff, and faculty who can assist the Gender Violence Education and Support Services office with programming and educational events and presentations across DU’s campus.

 

Who are the Advocates?:

Advocates are volunteers (students, staff, and faculty) who complete an extensive 30 hour training program. They understand the complexity of the aftermath of sexual assault and can assist individuals in making decisions and obtaining resources. They are educated about legal and medical systems, psychological ramifications of sexual assault, and can provide options and information about medical care. Advocates can provide emotional support as the survivor seeks resources.

 

How to contact an advocate:

Call 303-871-3456 24/7 during the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. An advocate will either answer or contact you within ONE hour of you leaving the message. Please note, advocates are not currently on call over the summer months or winter break.

To talk to someone about your options during the breaks, please call the Gender Violence Education and Support Services office at 303-871-3853 or email gvess@du.edu.

 

How to become an advocate:

The next available training opportunity will be in Winter 2012. The training dates are January 14, 21, 28, and February 4. If you would like to apply for the next SASA Network training, please complete the application and return it to Dana Vaughn-Mgunda, Nelson Hall room #103 or email it to gvess@du.edu by Tuesday, January 10, 2012.

Remember, if you apply to train, you must be able to attend every session in its entirety in order to be eligible for this program.