An Advocate is a VU student volunteer for the Sexual Assault Awareness and Facilitative Education Office (SAAFE). They have special training that enables them to be non-judgmental supporters to all affected by a traumatic event. Advocates can work with survivors, friends of survivors, and perpetrators. Some assault survivors find Advocates helpful in processing their experience in a non-threatening way. All interactions are completely confidential.

What can a SAAFE Office Advocate do for me?

• Provide a peer's perspective
• Provide information and referrals to campus and community resources
• Provide an informal, supportive, no pressure relationship
• Keep all matters confidential
• Be available 24 hours a day to accompany and transport clients to counseling appointments and offer needed support
• Help friends of an assault survivor understand how they can be supportive

What types of issues do SAAFE Office Advocates help with?

• Sexual assault and abuse
• Sexual Harassment
• Dating violence
• Regretted sex
• Sexuality issues
• Substance Use (Alcohol, Date Rape Drugs) and Sexual Assault
• Stalking
• Abusive relationships
• Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's)
• Body image concerns and eating disorder issues