Support Groups The Women's Resource Center offers separate support groups for students and for faculty and staff.  A variety of groups are available on a wide variety of topics including sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, single parenting, etc.  For more information, contact the WRC's staff therapist at (205) 348-5040.

Advocacy Services  The WRC provides advocacy and case management services to victims of sexual assault (including attempted rape, rape, sexual harassment) and relationship violence (including dating violence, domestic violence,
stalking).  Persons eligible for these services include students, faculty, and staff of The University of Alabama and Shelton State Community College. A Victim Advocate is on call 24 hours a day and can assist with these services following an assault:

• Academic Advocacy - negotiating changes in classes, work load, and making up missed classes or exams.
• Safe Housing - relocation within the on-campus housing system or community based housing as needed.
• Resources - providing information about campus or community resources, legal and judicial options, and support.

Please call the WRC at (205) 348-5040 for more information or to schedule an appointment. The on-call Advocate can be reached after hours through the University Police at (205) 348-5454. Ask the dispatcher to connect you to the Women's Resource Center's on-call advocate.

The Importance of Confidentiality The WRC provides counseling services to the university community related to victimization. The Center is organized to ensure privacy, security, and confidentiality of client records at all times. State and federal rules, laws, and professional standards specifically stress the importance of confidentiality and security of client information. The WRC has internal policies and procedures addressing confidentiality, security of records, and client information.

In addition, the WRC receives external funding from the Victims of Crime Act which has specific requirements for protecting confidentiality of victims served as well as accountability to federal legislation that protects the records of crime victims.

Violations of confidentiality are cause for revocation of funding as well as could jeopardize the licensure of professional staff. These issues are addressed in the WRC Policies and Procedures Manual and the Informed Consent Form that clients read and sign before starting counseling services. Client files are secured in a locked file cabinet located behind two locked doors. After hours there is a third locked door that secures the file room. Client information databases are password protected and only staff with a need to know have access to databases or client files. All staff, student employees, and interns must read the confidentiality policies and sign a statement verifying that they have read the policy and agree to comply.

Campus Violence Task Force  The WRC has established a Campus Violence Task Force to provide a coordinated community response to violence. The goal of the Task Force is to be a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and inclusive group of campus and community partners who provide a unified approach to combat violence on campus.

The Task Force allows us to form new alliances and strengthen existing partnerships with community agencies such as Turning Point Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, law enforcement, health care providers, and internal partners such as The University of Alabama  Police Department, the Office of Student Judicial Affairs, the International Student Association, etc. The Task Force allows for sharing of expertise, avoiding duplication, and filling in gaps in prevention and services to victims. The Task Force uses work groups to address specific goals or projects.

Harbor  Inspired by the Safe Zone campaign, Harbor provides a training program to educate faculty and staff on how to best serve victims of violence against women (sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking).  Participants then display the Harbor placard on their office doors, helping to create a network of "safe harbors" all over campus for student and faculty/staff survivors of violence.  Click here for more information.

Speakers Bureau The Women’s Resource Center staff are available to serve as speakers to present programs on a wide variety of issues of concern to women.  Presentations can take place on or off campus for classes, organizations, clubs, and other groups. Presentations can be adapted to the specific needs of your organization. Click here for more information.

Professional Training/Consultation Staff of the Women's Resource Center are available for training for professionals and to other college campuses on a variety of topics. Examples include:

• Using Peer Education to Address Violence Against Women: A Comprehensive Model*
• Using Men as Allies to End Violence Against Women
• Counseling and Advocacy with Victims of Domestic Violence
• Establishing Campus Protocols for Addressing Violence Against Women
• Domestic Violence as a Public Health Issue

*A peer education manual has been compiled by Women's Resource Center staff. If you are interested in learning more about peer education or want to purchase this manual, please contact the WRC at (205) 348-5040 or wrc@sa.ua.edu. Click here to view the table of contents.

Funding  The WRC currently has two external funding sources that provide support for these efforts. Victims of Crime Act funding is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Through this grant we are able to provide free, confidential individual and group counseling for victims of sexual assault (including rape, attempted rape, sexual harassment, adult survivors of incest) and relationship violence (including dating violence, domestic violence and adult survivors of domestic violence).

The second source is through the Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus funded through the Office on Violence Against Women. With support from this grant, we are able to provide a comprehensive, coordinated campus and community response to violence against women on campus through a multidisciplinary task force. The project also provides for the development of programs intended to prevent violence against women from occurring. Under the grant, a Men's Violence Prevention Coordinator works with our Men Against Violence group, and a Coordinator of Peer Education Programs works with students to create non-traditional ways of reaching students through interactive theatre. Specialized training is also provided for campus judicial boards, campus law enforcement, and incoming students. Two recent initiatives of the Campus Violence Task Force include the new Harbor Program and the Campus-wide Relationship Violence Response Plan.
 

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What should I do if I've been assaulted?

How do I know if I'm in a healthy relationship?

Learn more about Relationship Violence