Victim & Survivor Advocacy
Image of GVSU Victim Advocate Kaylee Wolff
Kaylee Wolff, Victim Advocate
Victim Advocate: Kaylee Wolff (she/her)
Office Address: 1201 Kirkhof Center - located in the Center for Women & Gender Equity
Phone: (616) 331-2742
Email: [email protected]
Schedule an Appointment
The victim advocate is here to support you. Experiencing violence, whether it is sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and/or harassment can be incredibly difficult. Victim/Survivors are of all backgrounds: ages, genders, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, faiths, ages, abilities, etc. On this website, you will find information about resources and options. It is your choice to choose what options are best for you, and advocates role is to listen, provide you with options and resources, and support your choices. The Center for Women and Gender Equity Victim Advocate is a confidential resource on campus.
How to Schedule an Appointment
There are a couple different ways to schedule an appointment with the Victim Advocate.
- Option 1: Make an appointment with Kaylee HERE
- Option 2: Call the CWGE at (616)-331-2748 and ask to set up an appointment with the Victim Advocate. A student worker will answer the phone and will be able to schedule the appointment for you.
- Option 3: Email or call the Victim Advocate directly at [email protected] or (616)-331-2742
- Option 4: Complete the Victim Advocacy Intake Form to refer yourself or a student to Victim Advocacy. The victim advocate will reach out to the victim/survivor as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.
Appointments are highly encouraged, as the Victim Advocate may not always be available for walk-in appointments.
Co-Advocates
What is a Co-Advocate?
A Co-Advocate is a role specific to GVSU. Co-Advocates at Grand Valley are professional staff members or faculty that participate in ongoing training to work closely with the Victim Advocate in order to provide additional non-judgmental, confidential support to survivors of gender-based violence. All Co-Advocates have received extensive training from the Victim Advocate and Violence Prevention & Education Coordinator to work with survivors of gender-based violence. The Co-Advocates on campus have full-time positions elsewhere and spend some of their time working with individuals in this capacity. Co-Advocates are specially trained to help students navigate options and services on campus and in the community.
Sexual Assault Medical Exams
SANE exams (Sexual Assault Nurses Exams), sometimes referred to as Rape Kits, can be performed at the YWCA in Grand Rapids and Resilience in Holland for up to 120 hours (5 days) after an assault. SANE exams can address any injuries, and receive treatment for the possibility of pregnancy and/or contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For more information, please visit the YWCA website or the Resilience website.
Advocacy FAQ's
What is an Advocate?
The role of the Victim Advocate is to provide nonjudgmental, confidential support to student survivors of gender-based violence which plays a critical role in the healing process of a victim/survivor. The Victim Advocate does not report any incidents of gender-based violence to Title IX and/or GVPD. Meeting with our Victim Advocate, DOES NOT start a formal misconduct or criminal process, unless you want to access those options. Likewise, you do not need to have a formal report filed in order to meet with the Victim Advocate. The Victim Advocate is trained to help students navigate options and services on campus and in the community. Grand Valley State University offers victim advocacy to all members of the University community.
What does an advocate do?
Advocates are available to respond to student survivors of gender-based violence with empathetic support and options. The Victim Advocate can provide support in-person, on Zoom, or over the phone. Available support includes (but is not limited to):
· Referrals to counseling and other supportive services on campus and in the community
· Education about medical options and procedures, including evidence collection
· Information about and referrals to legal advocacy, including Personal Protection Orders
· Assistance in reporting to law enforcement, if you choose
· Support and advocacy in participating in a Title IX investigation, if you choose
· Support and advocacy for academic and housing options
· Assistance for significant others and friends of victim/survivors of gender/based violence
How can I reach the advocate
Services through the victim advocate are available Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. To set up a time to speak with Kaylee Wolff, the Victim Advocate, please call (616)-331-2742, email [email protected] or schedule an appointment here. You may also contact one of our Co-Advocates.
If the Victim Advocate is unavailable and you need to speak to someone right away, please call GVSU Counseling Center at (616) 331-3266 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.), YWCA confidential 24-hour Crisis Hotline at (616) 776-RAPE (7273), Resilience 24-hour Crisis Hotline at 1(800) 848-5991 GVSU Police at (616) 331-3255 or for an emergency dial 911.
Additionally, the Victim Advocate or Co-advocates can meet in alternative meeting space on campus, by request.
Who can contact an advocate
Any member of the Grand Valley State University community can contact the Victim Advocate on campus. Victim/survivors can contact a co-advocate or the victim/survivor may have someone reach out on their behalf.
What can you expect?
The Victim Advocate provides private support. This means that talking with the advocate DOES NOT start a formal judicial or criminal process unless you want to access those options. To set up a time to speak with the advocate, you can expect the following:
1. Call the Center for Women & Gender Equity at 616-331-2754. A student worker will the answer the phone. You may also reach the Victim Advocate directly at (616) 331-2742, by email at [email protected] or by scheduling an appointment here.
2. Inform the student worker that you are a GVSU student and that you would like to set up a time to meet with an advocate to discuss a "private matter." You have control over whether or not you share any other information.
3. Based on your availability you will work with the student worker to be scheduled to meet with an advocate as soon as they are available Monday-Friday between 8am-5pm.
4. When you arrive at the Center for Women & Gender Equity for your meeting with the advocate check in with the student worker at the front desk informing them that you have a meeting scheduled with the Victim Advocate - You may bring a friend/partner with you.
5. You will be asked to take a seat and the advocate will be notified that you have arrived.
6. The advocate will show you back to their office
7. You (the victim/survivor) have complete control of what you want to tell the advocate, and how long or often appointments go on for. Some folks need only one or two appointments to find the resources they need. Others may need longer term advocacy and support. There is no right or wrong way to utilize the Victim Advocate.
Additional Campus Resources
Police
Grand Valley State University Police Department (616-331-3255) is able to meet with you to talk through your reporting options or to file a police report. They are able to meet with you at the Police Department (Facilities Services Building) or another location where you feel comfortable. You are able to bring a support person with you. In case of an emergency call 911.
University Policy
Grand Valley takes instances of gender-based violence very seriously. Below is the link to Grand Valley’s policy in regards to sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and discriminatory harassment:
Policy Prohibiting Title IX Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Discriminatory Harassment
Office of Civil Rights & Title IX
Grand Valley State University is committed to creating and advancing a campus community where you feel empowered to raise concerns, ask for help, or learn about your options before making any decisions. If you have experienced, witnessed, been impacted by sexual misconduct (sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking), harassment, or discrimination, or impacted by an allegation, staff in the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX can assist in finding the options that feel right for you.
Office of Civil Rights & Title IX staff are also aware that your concerns may be of a sensitive nature and can offer support to help you. The Office of Civil Rights & Title IX staff are available to discuss resources, supportive measures, options for resolution, and GVSU's prohibition of retaliation against individuals for filing a report or for participating in a resolution process.
Contact information:
Office for Civil Rights & Title IX
4015 James H.
Zumberge Hall
(616) 331-9530
Counseling
The University Counseling Center (616-331-3266) is free for students and is located on both the Allendale and Pew Campus. Individual and group counseling is available.
Staff and Faculty are eligible for the Encompass Employee Assistance program, a third party employee assistance program (EAP) which offers 24/7 crisis support, consultation, and coaching. Access free resources by creating an online account at www.MyLifeExpert.com using the code "GVSUNI" and book up to 7 free sessions with Encompass by calling 1-800-788-8630.
CARE Team
The CARE Team provides holistic support to GVSU students. If you or someone you know needs support from the CARE Team, you can submit a Student of Concern CARE Referral here.
When Should I Make A Care Referral?
STUDENT WELL-BEING
CARE referrals can be submitted for health and safety, family issues, or life situations. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Mental Health Concerns
- Death of Family Member/Close Friend
- Self-Disclosed personal distress, including family problems, financial difficulties, suicidal thoughts, grief
- Bizarre content in writings/presentations
- Marked changes in physical behavior (deterioration in grooming or hygiene, significant weight loss/gain).
- Social/Adjustment Concerns
- Increased need for personal (rather then academic) counseling
- Unusual/Disproportionate emotional response to events
- Excessive tearfulness
- Excessive fatigue
- Signs of substance abuse
- Unprovoked anger of hostility
- Academic assignments/or communication dominated by themes of hopelessness, rage, worthlessness, isolation, despair, acting out, suicidal ideation, violence to others
RESOURCE CONCERNS
CARE referrals can be submitted for student concerns that are related to resource needs. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Food Insecurity
- Financial Hardship
- Housing Concerns
- Living out of car
- Couch surfing
- About to be evicted
- Unstable housing
- Homeless
- Lack of academic resources or supplies
- In need of technology support (can't afford laptop repair, or in need of temporary laptop replacement)
- In need of menstrual health products
- In need of health insurance
Replenish
Balancing work, school and a family can be challenging. Replenish is located in room 0074 Kirkhof Center and is available to GVSU students.
Room for Nursing Mothers/Nursing Nests
GVSU is striving to make it easier for nursing mothers to maintain breastfeeding after returning to work or school by providing private and comfortable "nursing nests."
Baby Changing Stations:
Changing stations are located in various restrooms across campus. Baby changing stations have been added to restrooms in the following locations: Commons, Fieldhouse, Kirkhof Center, Lake Ontario Hall, Mackinac Hall, Niemeyer Honors College, and Performing Arts Center. This has been done to serve our faculty, staff, students and community members that may have children on campus during working hours or for events.
Children's Enrichment Center
GVSU's Children's Enrichment Center provides early education and care for GVSU students, faculty, staff, and the community at large.
Key Terms
The language used in Title IX policy & procedures can be lengthy and complicated. Here is a key terms document to help!
Policy & Procedures
GVSU's Policy Prohibiting Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation, & Sexual Misconduct can be found here. This policy includes sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, & sexual exploitation.