Victim & Survivor Advocacy

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You Are Not Alone

If you or someone you know has been a victim of intimate partner violence, sexual assault or stalking, we are here to help. Our free and confidential services are available to all members of the GVSU community to provide support and empowerment. For additional methods of contact, contact us.

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Victim and Survivor Advocacy Services

Our trained Victim and Survivor Advocates provide victims and survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking or human trafficking with free, confidential*, non-judgmental, compassionate support, access to critical resources, and empowerment to build a path to healing.  Any member of the Grand Valley State University community can contact a Victim and Survivor Advocate. Advocates assist victims/survivors with goal setting, overcoming barriers, safety planning and navigating resources on campus and in the community. They provide a safe space to talk and process next steps while empowering victims and survivors to move forward in what ever way they choose. You can make an appointment with a Victim and Survivor Advocate to meet in-person, on Zoom, or over the phone Monday through Friday.

* A Victim and Survivor Advocate does not report to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX and/or law enforcement, unless requested by the victim/survivor. Meeting with a Victim and Survivor Advocate DOES NOT start a formal misconduct or criminal process unless a victim/survivor desires to access those options. All Victim and Survivor Advocates are required to report suspected or actual child and vulnerable adult abuse.

One-on-One Advocacy

  • Assistance in developing a safety plan to address immediate and long-term safety concerns
  • Assistance for significant others and friends of victim/survivors of gender/based violence  
  • Provide information about medical options and procedures, including evidence collection
  • Advocate for academic assistance, housing support, basic needs and/or financial assistance programs
  • Provide referral to mental health supports and other services on campus and in the community

Legal Advocacy

  • Inform victims/survivors of their rights and options to make informed decisions 
  • Assistance with filing a Personal Protection Order (PPO)
  • Accompaniment to court, reporting to law enforcement and/or to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX

Quick Links

University Counseling Center

Employee Assistance Program

Department of Public Safety

Office of Civil Rights & Title IX

Victim's Rights and Options

Campus Resources

Victim/Survivor FAQs

A Sexual Assault Forensic Medical exam (or Sexual Assault Nurses Exam), sometimes referred to as a Rape Kit, is a free medical examination to provide medical treatment and/or evidence collection up to 120 hours (5 days) following a sexual assault. Survivors do not have to report to police in order to receive a forensic medical exam and/or for evidence to be collected. 

    Forensic Medical Exams can be performed at the YWCA in Grand Rapids and Resilience in Holland for up to 120 hours (5 days) after an assault. 

    The forensic medical exam is voluntary and any part of the forensic medical exam may be declined by the victim/survivor. You may stop, pause or skip any part of the exam. 

    In general here are the steps of a forensic medical exam:

    • Immediate Medical Care - addressing injuries that need immediate attention.
    • The nurse will gather a detailed medical history as well as details about the assault. These questions may be personal, but they help to guide the nurse during the evidence collection process. What you share is documented and included in the sexual assault kit. 
    • The nurse may offer a head-to-toe physical examination, examination of the genitalia, collect swabs of any body areas that may contain evidence, collection of clothing, other evidence, blood, urine samples and photographs of injuries. This is optional and you have the right to decline anything you are uncomfortable with.
    • The nurse will discuss potential risk for sexually transmitted infections, HIV and/or pregnancy. The nurse will discuss options for preventative medical care, treatment and testing.
    • At the end you will be provided information for follow up medical care and resources.

    You have the right to choose whether to release your Sexual Assault Kit to law enforcement and make a police report, or for your evidence to be stored at the healthcare facility for at least one year.

    If you choose to release your kit to police, you have the right to know the results of the forensic testing. Contact the police agency investigating the sexual assault, a local sexual assault services program or the prosecutor's office for assistance.

    • Preserve Evidence.
      • Avoid doing anything that could damage evidence such as bathing, eating, brushing teeth, changing clothing, doing laundry, etc. - you can still have an exam if you have done any of these things.
      • Place items such as clothing or bedding into a paper bag to safely preserve evidence. Note that plastic bags can damage evidence.
    • Schedule your exam as soon as you are ready. Although you have up to 5 days, having your exam sooner will allow for more options for evidence collection and preventative care.
    • Consider what would help you to feel more comfortable. You may want to bring a change of clothes with you. The process can be lengthy, so feel free to bring a support person with you if you'd like.

    Sexual and intimate partner violence can have psychological, emotional and physical effects on a survivor. These effects can be managed with support. Below is a list of common responses (*please note that this is not an exhaustive list.)

    • Physical Responses
      • Sleep disturbances and fatigue
      • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
      • Loss of coordination, tremors, or shakiness
      • Pain (such as headache, stomach ache, chest pains, muscle aches, etc.)
      • Rapid heart rate
      • Difficulty breathing
      • Appetite changes
      • Changes in sexual libido
      • Feeling easily started
    • Emotional or Psychological Responses:
      • Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or panic attacks
      • Hypervigilance
      • Feeling overwhelmed
      • Guilt, shame
      • Feeling helpless, powerless, lost or abandoned
      • Numbness
      • Shock and disbelief
      • Grief
      • Negative body image or self-consciousness
      • Sudden mood changes or emotional outbursts (anger, irritability, crying,
    • Cognitive
      • Memory problems or loss
      • Flashbacks, nightmares
      • Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, decreased attention span
      • Thinking about trauma constantly
      • Racing thoughts
      • Difficulty processing
    • Avoidance and Denial
      • Avoiding thinking or talking about the traumatic experience
      • Avoiding specific situations, people or places
      • Withdrawal, isolation (missing classes, change or loss of connection with University or Community, etc.)
      • Acting as if nothing has changed
      • Minimizing - thinking the abuse was not as bad as someone else's
    • Common Coping Mechanisms
      • Increased alcohol or drug use
      • Unusual behavior
      • Excessive humor
      • Self injury
      • Changes in appearance
      • Changes in sexual behavior

    Red flags are warning signs that you might be in an abusive relationship. If you feel threatened, isolated or fearful of breaking up with your partner, you might be in an abusive relationship. Perpetrators often keep you from hanging out with friends/family, check up on you constantly, blame you for their actions, criticize your thoughts and beliefs and threaten to kill themselves if you break up with them.

    Does your partner:

    • Make derogatory remarks or undermine your opinions?
    • Criticize your clothing, your interests or other things you like? Insult your intelligence, your body or your looks?
    • Constantly check on your whereabouts, calling or texting you all the time? (Who are you with? When will you be home? Require you to share your location?)
    • Insist on checking your text messages, emails, social media accounts? Do they check these without your consent?
    • Ignore you or give you the silent treatment?
    • Forbid or limit your contact with your friends or family; your partner isolates you?
    • Compare you to previous dating partners?
    • Not like when you hang out with friends? Is your partner intensely jealous of your interaction with others?
    • Force you to have sex or be sexual when you do not want to?
    • Threaten to kill themselves if you break up with them?
    • Lose their temper over small things? Is their anger frightening?
    • Throw things, kick things, or break things when mad?
    • Blame you or others for their behavior?

    Do you:

    • Have a gut feeling that something is not right?
    • Feel afraid to break up with your partner?

    *These are only warning signs that you may be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship. If you feel that you are in an abusive relationship, please contact the Victim Advocate for assistance.

    When someone you care for discloses that they have experienced sexual assault or intimate partner violence, you may not know what to say. These conversations are not easy and may not feel comfortable, so here are some tips and suggestions to respond with empathy when someone discloses an experience of violence: 

    • Listen. Let the victim/survivor know you care and are here to listen. You could say, “you’re not alone. I am here for you.” Let them share with you as much or as little as they want. While they are sharing, show active listening skills. You could ask open ended questions such as, "how are you feeling?" It is difficult to hear that someone you care about was hurt. Threatening the person who perpetrated is not helpful to the victim/survivor. Since survivors often know the person who assaulted them, it is important to be mindful of their feelings. The survivor may still care for that person. It is the survivor's decision on how they want to move forward.
    • Thank them. Let them know that you appreciate that they trust you enough to share with you. You could say, “thank you for sharing with me” or "I'm really glad you told me about this."
    • Believe. Tell the survivor, “I believe you.” Often survivors fear reporting or talking about a traumatic experience because they fear they won't be believed.  Let them know that they are not to blame for the incident. You can say things such as “it’s not your fault“ or "you didn't deserve that to happen to you." Never blame the victim or tell them that they aren't being truthful. Remember it is not your job to investigate. Avoid any “why” questions such as, “why didn't you leave?” or “why didn't you call me?” Asking questions that lay blame on the victim are not helpful. It is never a victim's fault if they were assaulted or abused. 
    • Show Support.  Let the survivor know that healing can take time and that their feelings are normal. “How you are feeling is normal.”
    • Empower the victim/survivor. It is important to give power back to victim/survivors. You can help identify support systems such as counseling or crisis centers. Encourage them to seek help. Let the person control what happens following an incident of violence. Don’t force them to report, call the police or go to the hospital. Support the survivor's decisions, even if you disagree with them. Ask questions such as:
      • "How can I help? What would you like to do?"
      • Never touch a victim without their consent. You can ask, "is it okay to hug you?" Even if you want to give someone a hug or show that you care through physical touch, it is important to ask first.
      • "Where would you like me to sit?"
    • Take care of yourself, too. It is normal to feel an array of emotions when you learn someone you care for has experienced violence. Many agencies that offer free services to victims also offer free services to family and friends affected by vicarious trauma after an incident of violence. The GVSU victim advocate is here to support anyone who has been affected by gender based violence.

    Advocacy Resources

    Replenish is located in the Kirkhof Center and is available to GVSU students.

    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.

    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

    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 
    • 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 

    GVSU's Children's Enrichment Center provides early education and care for GVSU students, faculty, staff, and the community at large.

    Hotline Resources

    Personal Protection Orders

    Ottawa County Personal Protection Orders

    • 20th Circuit Court
      414 Washington Avenue, Suite 300
      Grand Haven, MI 49417
      (616) 846-8315
       
    • Family Justice Center
      Clerk/Register's Office
      12240 Fillmore St. Room 50
      West Olive, MI 49460

    Kent County Personal Protection Orders

    • Personal Protection Orders Department
      180 Ottawa NW, Suite 3500
      Grand Rapids, MI 49503
      (616) 632-5071

    Muskegon County Personal Protection Orders

    • Circuit Court Records
      97 E. Apple Ave
      Muskegon, MI 49442
      (231) 724-6251

    Legal Aid of Western Michigan
    636 Hastings Ave
    Holland, MI 49423
    616-394-1380

    Ottawa County Legal Self-Help Center

    Crime Victim Compensation - Assists eligible crime victims and their immediate families with the financial cost of crime.

    Crime Victim Notification Network - Find, obtain and receive notifications of court dates, case status, and custody changes.

    Michigan Immigrant Rights Center

    The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) was created to conceal the addresses of victims of stalking, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and of individuals at risk of being threatened or physically harmed from being located by their perpetrators through public records. Participants receive newly designated addresses when they relocate, providing a secure alternative to their actual physical address. Survivors can use the substitute address for employers, public schools (including Grand Valley State University), government agencies, libraries and state benefits. 

    Victim and Survivor Advocates at GVSU are trained and certified by the program to provide application assistance. 

    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.

    Room for Nursing Mothers/Nursing Nests

    Law Enforcement -  Each department investigates crimes that occur within their jurisdiction

    • In case of an emergency or imminent danger, call 911.
    • Grand Valley State University Police Department (non emergency dispatch - 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.
    • Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office - Allendale Charter Township (Non-emergency dispatch - (800) 249-0911)
    • Grand Rapids Victim Services Unit

    • Holland Police Department - Non-emergency (616) 355-1100  

    • Zeeland Police - Non-emergency (616) 772-9725 

    • Michigan State Police - Non-emergency (989) 732-5141 

    Office of Civil Rights & Title IX
    4015 James H. Zumberge Hall
    (616) 331-9530

    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.

    “You are brave & strong and WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. You did not deserve this & we stand with you.”

    —

    Anonymous GVSU Student
    Believe Survivors

    Give to the Survivor Support Fund!

    Want to learn more?

    Our Violence Prevention Education program aims to end sexual and intimate partner violence before they occur to ensure a safe, supportive campus environment where all members of our community can thrive without fear of harm or intimidation. 

    Violence Prevention Education


    Page last modified January 7, 2025
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