Sexual Assault & Dating/Domestic Violence
Sexual Assault and Dating Violence are unfortunately not uncommon on college campuses. The Institute For Women's Studies and Services can assist students in finding the right resource in which to cope with such intolerable violence, ranging from making a report to the authorities to long-term counseling and support. Remember that if you or someone you know has experienced Sexual Assault or Dating Violence that it is not your fault and it is not okay. We encourage all survivors of violence to seek support. The campus has a policy prohibiting sexual assault and a new office specifically designated to focus on supporting
students.
Information, Support, and Awareness for
Sexual Assault, Relationship Violence and Stalking
The Phoenix Center at Auraria (PCA) is a tri-institutional Center on the Auraria campus. It is a partnership between all three campuses and the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) and is funded through the Department of Justice to respond to issues of interpersonal violence (IPV). The Center provides free and confidential resources and assistance to survivors of interpersonal violence and their friends and families. The Center serves all students, faculty, and staff on the Auraria Campus regardless of where or when the incident of violence occurred. The PCA also conducts training, education, and primary prevention initiatives across campus.
The Phoenix Center at Auraria provides services to all who need them regardless of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, and veteran status.
What is Interpersonal Violence (IPV)?
It is really important to understand what IPV is so that we can identify it when it occurs. So often we think we know what it is and how it happens but in reality our understanding may not be accurate. IPV is defined as sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence. In all instances, the survivor of the abuse is never to blame. The person who commits the act of violence makes the choice to hurt someone else and the blame rests solely on the perpetrator’s shoulders.
Sexual Assault: this is an umbrella term that refers to any sexual activity where one person has not gained permission (consent) from the other person for the sexual activity.
Relationship Violence (Domestic and Dating Violence): this is a pattern of abuse that occurs in a relationship, whether you are (or have been) in a committed partnership, married, or dating. Abuse can be physical (e.g. hitting, pushing etc), emotional (e.g.: making someone feel they are worthless or stupid), verbal (e.g. name calling, put downs), financial (e.g. withholding money).
Stalking: is a purposeful course of action, directed at a specific person that causes that person to be afraid, fearful, or intimidated. Stalking can occur during a relationship, after a relationship, or in the absence of a relationship.
How can the PCA help you?
PCA has an on call help line that is available to you, free and confidentially 24 hours a day, 7 days week. You can access the help line by calling 303-556-CALL (2255). For TTY calls, contact Relay Colorado at 7-1-1 or 800-659-2659. They will relay the call to the PCA help line. Individuals with a hearing loss or with a speech disability must have a TTY device to use this service. Trained advocates are waiting to take your call and can explain your options, provide emotional support, or accompany you to the hospital or police station if you so wish. All decisions are yours and the help line advocates will support whatever you choose. You can also come by the PCA office to meet with someone or just to learn about our services and interpersonal violence in general.
For more information and resources, or if you are interested in volunteering/working for the PCA please contact Lisa Ingarfield, Associate Director (Lisa.Ingarfield@ucdenver.edu). The PCA is located in the Tivoli Student Center 259 and open Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm.
Health Center Info
Click here to view the Auraria Campus Sexual Assault Policy.
