Support Someone
Support a Friend
If someone you know has experienced sexual violence, it’s important to provide them with support and resources. Here are some ways to do that:
- Believe them: Let the survivor know that you believe them and support them. Remind them that you care and they are not alone.
- Listen: Give the survivor a safe space to talk about their experience.
- Offer resources: Connect them with support services, such as the Merced College campus advocate or Valley Crisis Center. If you aren’t sure where to start, there is information on the Get Help section of the RSVP Program website. You may also wish to review reporting options (PDF) with your friend, or download our Resource and Referral Guide (PDF).
- Keep it confidential: Your friend has chosen to tell you something that they may not wish to be revealed to others. Honor that and don’t tell anyone without your friend’s permission. If you are worried about your friend talk to them about resources available to help.
- Let them make their own decisions: You can provide options and information and always let your friend make their own decisions. A person who has been assaulted or abused has been disempowered by another person, and it may be important in their recovery to practice control over their own decisions. Instead of taking charge, ask how you can help. Offer to accompany your friend to seek any services that they choose to use.
- Seek support for yourself. Talking with someone can help you work through your own feelings and can better enable you to support your friend.
Valley Crisis 24/7 Hotline (209) 722-HELP (4357)
Support a Student: Guidance for Faculty and Staff
If a student is disclosing an experience of sexual violence to you, they likely consider you a trusted advisor. It is important that you let them know there are support resources available on campus.
“Thank you for trusting me. I want to let you know that you have options for reporting to authorities, and maybe you’d like to speak to the campus advocate. The advocate will provide support, go over options, and connect you to resources The advocate is a confidential resource, meaning they are not obligated to notify the police or other authorities. Would you like to call or walk over now?”
If the incident occurred on campus property, you may refer the student to the Title IX Coordinator (contact info provided below). You may then wish to review the Get Help section with your student, which outlines free, confidential support resources both on and off campus. A confidential resource is someone who is not obligated to notify the police or campus authorities. You may wish to let the student know that an advocate is available on campus, 40-hours per week, in LRC 205. The advocate can be reached at [email protected] or 209.756.6446.
If a student still decides to disclose a Title IX violation with you, contact the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator will first ensure the student’s safety, then offer supportive measures. Please note that the Title IX Coordinator will not involve the police without the survivor’s consent unless there is an immediate risk to the campus community.
More information about Title IX and reporting policies can be found on the Human Resources Department’s Title IX page.
If you have questions about your obligations to report, would like to discuss options, or if you become aware of a potential Title IX violation contact:
Kelly Avila, Vice President of Human Resources
Merced College Administration Building, Office of Human Resources
3600 M Street Merced CA 95348
(209) 384-6102
[email protected]