Counseling & Advocacy
Sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, cyberstalking and harrassment are priority concerns for the Women's Center.
The Center serves as an on-campus focal point for services for survivors, their friends and families. Trained professionals are available to provide individual and group counseling, advocacy and support. Additional services include help with academic relief and accompaniment to the hospital, law enforcement and judicial proceedings.
Counseling & Advocacy Services | Healing & Recovery Group | Violence Against Women - Outreach Education | Sexual Violence Prevention Counsel | VAWA Grant
- Advocacy
- Crisis Intervention
- Short-term counseling
- Support groups
- Accompaniment to law enforcement, medical facilities, and judicial proceedings
- Information and referral
Who can receive services?
Any member of the university community--student, faculty or staff--who has been a victim of a violent crime on or off campus. We also provide services to friends, family members, or others who are supporting someone who has been a victim. The primary focus is to assist primary and secondary victims of sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking or harassment (including cyberstalking and cyberharassment).
Who provides services?
- Associate Director for Counseling & Advocacy, Christine Dennis Smith - cdennis@vt.edu
- Counseling and Advocacy Coordinator, Melissa Lind - lindm@vt.edu
Christine and Melissa can be reached at the Women's Center at 540-231-7806.
A 24-hour crisis hotline is operated by the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley at (540) 639-1123.
The Women’s Center and Cook Counseling Center will co-facilitate an 8-week group for survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse. The group will begin the week of October 15. Exact days and times will be determined by group members’ schedules. Please cut and paste the following link into your web browser to sign up for the group https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1187709350826 or to request more information contact Melissa Lind, LCSW at lindm@vt.edu or call 231-7806.
Outreach and Education
What kind of education is provided?
- Educational presentations on sexual and relationship violence, stalking, cyberstalking, harassment, and cyberharassment for academic groups, residence halls, and other student groups.
- Training on sexual and relationship violence for orientation leaders, resident advisors, university judicial bodies, law enforcement, and medical personnel.
- Awareness efforts through Sexual Violence Awareness Month in October.
- SAVES (Sexual Assault and Violence Education by Students) presentations: peer education on sexual assault and harassment. Click here to learn more about SAVES.
- To request a presentation, call the Women's Center at 231-7806, or submit an electronic presentation request at www.stopabuse.vt.edu.
Who provides education?
- Victim Services Outreach Coordinator, Jen Underwood - jwunder@vt.edu
- Associate Director for Counseling & Advocacy, Christine Dennis Smith - cdennis@vt.edu
Jen and Christine can also be reached at 540-231-7806.
To request a presentation or for additional information on sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and harassment - go to www.stopabuse.vt.edu
Sexual Violence Prevention Council
The Sexual Violence Prevention Council (SVPC) of Virginia Tech is a multidisciplinary group of volunteers, composed of student, staff, faculty, and community members. The focus of the task force is to create a campus climate that (1) is sensitive and responsive to victims of violence and (2) does not tolerate violence. The Council also addresses issues of policy across Virginia Tech programs, including developing a university protocol regarding emergency response to victims of sexual assault. The SVPC also plans activities for Sexual Violence Awareness Month in October. For more information, contact the SVPC Coordinator, Jen Underwood.
Violence Against Women Act Grant
The U.S. Department of Justice awarded a Violence Against Women Act grant to the Women's Center in partnership with the Office of Judicial Affairs in October 2001. This unique grant aims to increase awareness of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking on campus and to increase the number of reports that go through the Office of Judicial Affairs. This will be accomplished by increased educational efforts targeted to first and second-year students.
For more information about the grant, contact:
Jen Underwood, Victim Services Outreach Coordinator, 231-7806
Meghan Weyrens, Judicial Coordinator, 231-3790