Victim Advocate Program

If you or someone you care about has been the victim of a crime...

...you may need to talk with someone about your options. It is not uncommon to experience a broad range of emotions including fear, confusion, anger, quilt, frustration, and tremendous sense of loss. These are all NORMAL reactions to what has happened.


You do not have to go through this alone...
An advocate is on call twenty-four hours a day to respond to FSU students who are victimized, or any other person who is victimized on our campus, or by an FSU student.

Services offered include emotional support, instructor notification, referrals, and educational programming for our campus community.

About Us:

 

Services

Educational Materials and Presentations

The Victim Advocate Program is available for presentations on a year round basis. Please contact 644-7161or 644-2277 to arrange a program.

What audiences are appropriate for VAP presentations?
We offer educational programs for classrooms, campus organizations and clubs, athletic groups, fraternities and sororities, campus ministries, residence halls, scholarship houses, and off campus housing.

What Kinds of Presentations Do We Offer?
1. Sexual Battery- covers definition of sexual battery, non-consent, myths surrounding rape, statistics, how to help a friend that is a victim, and FSU resources.
2. Relationship Violence- includes why victims remain in abusive relationships, power and control dynamics, potential abuser characteristics, and the cycle of violence.
3. Stalking/Harassment- covers definitions of stalking and harassment, injunction process, statistics, FSU resources.

How Long Do Presentations Last?
To present a complete program we ask for at least 45 minutes. However, we can tailor our presentation in content and length to meet your organization's needs.
 
What is the Style of the Presentation?
We try to make our presentations as interactive as possible, asking for audience participation throughout the program.

Staff

Name Title Room Phone Email
Melissa Ashton Assistant Dean/Director A4139 850-644-9555 mashton@admin.fsu.edu
Jennifer Gagen Associate Director A4138 850-644-9555 jgagen@admin.fsu.edu
Dominique Mack On-Call Victim Advocate      
Ember Maselli On-Call Victim Advocate      
Kori Pruett On-Call Victim Advocate      
Derrika Hunt On-Call Victim Advocate      
Kelly Dwight On-Call Victim Advocate      
Darren MacFarlane Case Manager A4135 850-644-7212 dmacfarlane@admin.fsu.edu
Regina Rodarte Case Manager A4143 850-644-4165 rrodarte@admin.fsu.edu

Snapshot Report

Victim Resources:

Types

SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Sexual violence is defined as oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by or union with the sexual organ of another or the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration of another by any other object, without the consent of the victim.

RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE
Relationship violence can be defined as repeated behaviors such as threats, verbal abuse and physical assaults, involving adults who are in an intimate dating relationship. Relationship violence typically refers to two adults who are not married, not living together, and have no children in common. This definition applies applies to same sex couples relationships as well as heterosexual relationships.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence can be defined as any assault, aggravated assault, battery, sexual battery, stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member on another. Domestic violence typically refers to persons who are living together as a family, are married, or have a child in common.(See Florida Statute 741.28 for expanded legal definitions)

STALKING

DEATH

RESPONSES AND RECOVERY AFTER VICTIMIZATION

Victim Rights

Injunctions for Protection

FAQs

Q: Who benefits from our services?
A: Victims of crime, both men and women, who are FSU students, employees, those victimized on FSU's Campus, or those victimized by an FSU student.
    • Victimizations include sexual assault, sexual battery, relationship violence, stalking, harassment, robbery, theft, identity theft, home invasions, homicide, manslaughter, etc. 
Q: How does the Victim Advocate Program work?

A: Our Services are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL.

  • Advocates respond to victims 24 hours a day to provide crisis intervention and appropriate referral.
  • Weekdays, contact an Advocate by coming to offices 4138 or 4139 building A University Center or by calling 644-7161 or 644-2277.
  • Evening and Weekend emergencies, call 644-1234 (FSU Police Department). Ask to speak to a victim advocate. They will call an on-call advocate who will promptly call you back.
Q: Will I have to file a police report?
A: No, you are not required to fill out a police report.
Q: Why does FSU need victim advocacy?
A: FSU recognizes that the university campus is a community of its own and crime exists in all communities.           
Q: What services are offered?
A: At the request of the victim; a victim advocate will:
  • Contact professors and employers on the person’s behalf.
  • Provide appropriate referrals:
    • Individual counseling services and support groups
    • Medical services- accompany victim to the hospital, doctor’s office, evidence collection and follow-up, STD testing, physical injuries exam
    • Legal and Judicial services- accompany victim and assist in filing out paperwork; attend judicial proceedings; maintain contact with the police department, State Attorney's Office and FSU Office of Student's Rights and Responsibilities regarding the student's case
    • Arrange for temporary lodging for FSU student victims, when an unsafe condition exists, or lodging for parents who come to provide support to the student during the time of crisis.
    • Providing reading material that may aid recovery.

The Victim Advocates are here to listen and provide support.
Q: Are there educational services offered through VAP?
A: The Victim Advocate Program offers educational presentations to campus organizations on various victim issues. For more information or to schedule a presentation, please contact 644-7161 or 644-2277.

Faculty Information

If you suspect a student has been the victim of a crime:

If a student reports a rape to you:

PLEASE NOTE:
FSU Policy requires that faculty and employees notify the Victim Advocate Program of reported rapes for statistical purposes only. Contact the program after providing support to the student and someone will guide you as to the information needed. The person's name DOES NOT HAVE TO BE REVEALED.

Please contact us if you are interested in more information about victimization issues.

Helpful Links

FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS
RAINN- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
Refuge House- domestic and sexual violence center
Promote Truth- information and support about sexual violence issues
DAWWN- Deaf Abused Woman Warrior's Web Network
Witness Justice- Help and healing for victims of violence
Stalking Victims
Healthy Place
211 Big Bend Hotline
Attorney General’s website
Rape Recovery

UNIVERSITY VICTIM ADVOCATE PROGRAMS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA
University of South Florida
Florida International University
University of West Florida
University of Florida
University of North Florida
University of Central Florida

FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF VICTIMS
Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County
Witness Justice
SASS- Sexual Assault Support Services
Attorney General’s website

DATE RAPE DRUG INFORMATION
Project GHB
Phoenix House "Facts on Tap" - Alcohol & Sex
Street Drugs
Illinois State- Alcohol and Sexual Assault

Other Resources

Evaluate Our Services: Coming Soon

Support Victim Advocacy: Coming Soon