Sexual assault and relationship violence are traumatic experiences. Often one does not know where to turn for help. The SRVC provides confidential advocacy services to help students understand their options and resources. The individual’s choices of which available options and resources to use are always respected. All SRVC advocacy services are available at no cost.

Victim Advocacy

Nationally certified and trained advocates are available to assist individuals who have experienced sexual and/or relationship violence. Victim advocates provide support and inform of victims’ rights, options, and resources. A victim advocate also often acts as a liaison between the victim/survivor and others (e.g., campus departments, law enforcement, criminal justice system, etc.) At the SRVC, two nationally certified advocates are on staff, along with trained graduate student staff, to assist students who have experienced sexual and/or relationship violence. In addition, trained volunteer faculty and staff are available to respond to phone calls of crisis need after hours. They may also provide support and accompany students when reporting to the police department and when having a forensic exam.

Legal Advocacy

Through a partnership with Legal Aid of Arkansas, the SRVC hosts a Legal Advocacy program. During the fall and spring semesters, on Thursdays from 1-4PM, students may come to the SRVC and meet with a legal and victim advocate to discuss options and resources, to learn of legal rights, and to ask questions. General legal information can be shared through the walk-in program. As a walk-in service, it is first come, first served. There is no charge for this service.

If a student wishes to have an attorney from Legal Aid of Arkansas represent them while dealing with matters related to the sexual or relationship violence situation, the student my retain their legal services. Legal Aid of Arkansas services are based on income guidelines and typically of no cost to the student. Once attorney services are retained, the attorney can provide legal advice and represent the student in matters related to the case and protecting the student’s legal rights.

During the summer and the short period between fall and spring sessions, an appointment can be made for legal advocacy as the walk-in service is not available during these times.

In addition to victim advocacy services, the SRVC has options available to assist victims/survivors with emotional support. Through a partnership with the School of Social Work, free counseling and support group services are available at the SRVC during the fall and spring semesters.

Students may meet individually with a graduate level social work student for free counseling sessions. Students may also take part with the Survivors Group, a peer-based support group facilitated by graduate level students.  All graduate students are appropriately supervised by trained staff and faculty within their respective fields.  All counseling and support group participation is confidential.

To learn more about counseling and support group availability, please contact the SRVC at 479-575-4000 or survivor@uark.edu

Confidential Reporting: If a student wants to access information, learn of various reporting options, ask questions about options and resources, then a Victim Advocate of the SRVC may confidentially meet and respond to the student’s needs. The Victim Advocate will also assist the student with accessing options and resources based on the student’s choice of which options and resources are desired. A Victim Advocate may provide support throughout the reporting, investigating, and adjudicating processes. To arrange for an appointment, please email survivor@uark.edu or call 479-575-4000. For crisis situations, an after-hours volunteer advocate may be reached by calling 479-575-4000.

Reporting to the University: You may use report.uark.edu to directly report to the University. As a site to serve multiple needs for reporting of concerns to the University, you may select from the site the most appropriate type of report (e.g., Title IX, Discrimination or Discriminator Harassment, Unsafe Conditions, etc.)

Reporting to Police: To directly make a police report, contact the police department in which the assault/incident occurred. For example, if it occurred on campus, contact the University of Arkansas Police Department (UAPD). If you are uncertain as to which police department has jurisdiction for your case, UAPD may assist you with identifying the appropriate police department. UAPD can be contacted at 479-575-2222.

Forensic Examination: Following a sexual assault, a victim/survivor has the option for a forensic medical exam (sometimes referred to as a rape kit) by a trained professional. In the state of Arkansas, a victim/survivor has 96 hours from the time of the incident to have a forensic evidence examination, which will be paid for by the State. A police report is also made, unless the evidence is collected as a “Jane/John Doe kit”. During the forensic evidence collection and exam, assessment for injury is documented and treated, if necessary. Contents of the forensic collection include various swabs that are used to collect potential evidence. Clothing and other materials that may contain forensic evidence are also gathered, if possible. The sooner forensic evidence collection is done after an assault, the greater the likelihood of finding potential evidence for collection. 

 

In Northwest Arkansas, the NWA Center for Sexual Assault (NWACSA) provides forensic exams at their location in Springdale, AR.  Exams are completed by a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE). To directly schedule an exam with a SANE at NWA Center for Sexual Assault, call their hotline number (800) 794-4175. If you need assistance with arranging for a forensic examination, a victim advocate of the campus Sexual and Relationship Violence Center or UAPD law enforcement officer may help. The NWACSA provides a staff victim advocate during the exam, but a SRVC advocate with training related to university students and knowledgeable of many campus resources may also be of assistance.

Victims Reparations: In Arkansas, if a police report is filed within 72 hours since the time of the assault, a victim/survivor is eligible to apply for the Victims Reparations program. This program serves to reimburse victims/survivors for any personal out of pocket expenses that may have incurred because of the crime.  A victim advocate can assist you with completing the required forms. Remember to hold onto all receipts for expenses incurred because of the crime. Visit Crime Victims Reparations Board website to learn more and to access application forms. Students may reach out to the campus Sexual and Relationship Violence Center if they need assistance with the forms or navigating the CVRB website.

Study Abroad Resources: Americans studying abroad or visiting other nations and in need of help because of sexual or relationship violence, may contact Sexual Assault Support and Help for Americans Abroad (SASHAA) and Pathways to Safety. This organization assists Americans with finding access to services anywhere.

The SRVC conducts various education programs throughout the academic year. SRVC staff and peer educators are available for education presentations on various topics that can be tailored to the participants needs. To request a presentation, please submit a request at least two weeks in advance to respect@uark.edu

Academic Electives: SRVC staff teach 8-week, 1-hour academic classes (found under XXXX XXXX - TBD) that provide students with in-depth discovery and learning about topics related to sexual and relationship violence. To participate with one of these classes, please review the schedule of classes when you register for the upcoming fall or spring semester.

Peer Education: The RESPECT peer education program provides interactive education sessions for classes, student organizations, and other groups during the fall and spring semesters. These sessions are designed to be a facilitated conversation about topics of defining sexual violence, identifying risk reduction strategies, bystander intervention, consent, alcohol/drug facilitated sexual assault, accessing help and resources, and more. General education sessions are about one hour.

Professional Education: SRVC staff provide education for professional trainings and consultation services primarily for the campus community, but routinely are available locally, regionally, and nationally throughout the year.

The SRVC oversees a multitude of outreach initiatives throughout the year to raise greater awareness of sexual and relationship violence across the campus community. Such initiatives serve to provide general understanding of certain issues and excite individuals to want to learn more.

Many of the outreach initiatives are done through the SRVC’s RESPECT peer education program. Frequently, RESPECT peer educators will hold outreach initiatives to bring greater awareness of issues such as consent, bystander intervention, stalking, risk reduction, and more.

Be on the lookout for information tabling and awareness messaging throughout the academic year. During the month of April (Sexual Assault Awareness Month), the SRVC leads many outreach initiatives across campus such at Take Back the Night, The Flag Project, What Were You Wearing? Survivor Art Installation, and more. These events, along with events sponsored by other campus organizations are listed on the Campus SAAM Calendar (make linkable once we have site up saam.uark.edu) every April.

The SRVC also participates with campus outreach initiatives as part of a collective community to bring greater awareness about sexual and relationship violence. If your organization or department would like to work together on an outreach initiative, please reach out to us at 479-575-4000 or respect@uark.edu

Reporting

UAPD (University Police) (479) 575-2222  

Campus Online Reporting 

Title IX 

Office of Equal Opportunity & Compliance

Medical and Counseling

Campus:

Pat Walker Health Center (medical and counseling) (479) 575-4451 

CAPS 24 HR crisis line (479) 575-5276

Counselor-in-Residence (counseling option for students living in University Housing)

The Psychological Clinic

Local:

Ozark Guidance http://www.ozarkguidance.org/

Psychologists of Northwest Arkansas https://pnwa.wildapricot.org/directory

Therapists in Fayetteville, AR https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/arkansas

Campus Support Services

Center for Educational Access 

Dean of Students, Division of Student Affairs 

Student Standards and Conduct 

U of A Cares 

University Housing 

Community Support Services

Arkansas Crisis Center 

Northwest Arkansas Center for Sexual Assault 

Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter (domestic violence)

Peace at Home Family Shelter (domestic violence) 

Northwest Arkansas Prosecutors and Legal Aid                 

Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

Washington County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office 

Legal Aid of Arkansas 

National Resources

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

National Sexual Assault Hotline 

National Sexual Violence Resource Center 

Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network 

Stalking Resource Center 

The National Center for Victims of Crime

The National Domestic Violence Hotline 

National Human Trafficking Hotline