Victim Support
Victim Support Services
Victim Services through the office of Student Advocacy & Support is here to support UD students impacted by sexual violence, dating and domestic violence and/or stalking. If you've experienced sexual violence, intimate partner violence and/or stalking, your safety, emotional and physical health and wellbeing are important. A victim advocate can connect you to a variety of resources available and assist in identifying next steps.
Access 24/7 Crisis Care
TimelyCare
Immediate virtual mental health support is available through TimelyCare's TalkNow service: 24/7, on-demand emotional support to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression and school-related stressors.
Dial 911 if you have an emergency
Victim Advocacy
Victim support services are available to UD students and are free and confidential. Certified and trained victim advocates can provide you with support and assist in connecting you to resources regarding reporting, academics, safety, housing, medical needs and much more. We understand that after a traumatic experience it can be extremely difficult to reach out for help. You are not alone. An advocate can help you process the feelings you are having and help you take steps towards healing.
- Emotional support and processing
- Helping you to define your own experiences
- Assistance in accessing academic support
- Options for reporting to police and/or through University reporting
- Assistance in obtaining a civil protection order
- Safety planning
- Referrals and connections to mental health, medical, academic, housing and financial support and assistance
- Education about sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, trauma, victim rights, etc.
- Victim advocates are available by appointment; we will only take a walk-in appointment if an advocate is available.
- A typical appointment lasts around 45–60 minutes. You can choose to meet in person or virtually. Prior to your first appointment, your advocate will send you intake forms via your student health portal.
- Through conversation, your advocate will assess your immediate needs. You are not required to share any information that you do not want to share.
- Victim services exists in a separate office from the Title IX office. Talking to an advocate is not reporting. Advocates will not share your information with the University unless you request that they do so.
- Your victim advocate has other reporting or disclosure obligations under state law, which may include mandatory reporting of child abuse or situations in which you present a danger to yourself or others.
- What happened to you isn’t your fault. You deserve support as you process what happened. Advocates are here for you.
- Everyone has a different healing journey. We are here to listen and support without shame or judgment. Your victim advocate starts by believing.
- Your advocate is here to support your choices. You are in control over what happens next.
- There is no time limit for when you can reach out for help.
- Your feelings are normal. People who experience trauma have a wide range of emotions. All of your feelings are valid.