Survivor Advocacy Program invites OHIO community to Oct. 7 open house

Ohio University’s Survivor Advocacy Program (SAP) will welcome faculty, staff and students to an open house on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lindley Hall 041, providing an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and members of the University community to become more familiar with the program, its team and the confidential resources available to support student survivors.

For SAP, increasing familiarity with the program among students, faculty and staff is an important part of ensuring students know where they can turn when support is needed and that faculty and staff are aware of the resources available to students who may need assistance. SAP provides confidential, survivor-centered advocacy for students impacted by sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating or domestic violence and stalking, while also allowing them to make their own decisions about the support and options that are right for them.

On Oct. 7, visitors and guests will also have the opportunity to see recent enhancements to SAP’s Lindley Hall space, made possible in part through funding from Ohio University’s 1804 Fund, which helped support the creation of a S.A.F.E. (Survivors and Allies For Empowerment) Space designed to provide student survivors with a private, calming environment where they can rest, study and access services. 
The project included modifications that created more secure and ADA-compliant advocacy and lounge areas within SAP’s offices. The goal was to provide students experiencing the effects of interpersonal violence with an alternative to public campus environments that could potentially present additional stress or concerns. 

Beyond its physical space, SAP offers a broad range of services as part of its mission to provide OHIO students with access to survivor support and advocacy resources. Services include trauma-focused therapy, individual supportive sessions, advocacy services, Circle of Support groups and access to a 24/7 hotline. 

Additional information about SAP and its services is available at ohio.edu/survivor.