OAVP offers support, resources for survivors
Samantha Cantu/THE RIDER
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month this April, UTRGV’s Office for Advocacy and Violence Prevention works with students, faculty and staff to facilitate support for survivors across both campuses, according to its website.
Cynthia Jones, OAVP director, said the office’s services are free and confidential for the campus community.
“We are a confidential office, unless you tell us that there’s a child at risk or somebody who can’t make their own decisions, like somebody with dementia,” Jones said.
She added the office also offers counseling services in person and online with licensed professionals.
“[Margarita Gonzalez, counseling specialist,] is specifically trained to work with people who experience trauma and violence,” Jones said. “She also runs support and listening groups for survivors and bystanders.”
OAVP also provides totally non-judgmental assistance to file a police report or a Title IX report.
Jones emphasized during April, the office focuses more on the sexualized violence victims and the misconception this can have.
“Male identifying people also can be and are frequently the victim of sexualized violence, but young women … mostly college-aged women, have the highest percentage of assaults,” she said.
Around 92% of college-aged women are assaulted by someone they know, according to the director.
“That’s a really compelling statistic,” Jones said. “We also talk about situational awareness. We want everyone to be aware of their surroundings, but realize that you’re more likely to experience sexualized violence from somebody you know than a stranger.”
Samantha Cantu/THE RIDER
On Thursday, OAVP installed an exhibit in the University Library on the Edinburg campus called “What were they wearing?,” a collection of stories and clothing recreation from survivors.
“[The stories range] from people talking as adults to sexual violence as children, all the way up to elderly people, and they talk about what they were wearing … when they were assaulted,” Jones said.
She added survivors can access books that can help them manage their trauma responses and highlighted the Campus Shield app and the Title IX office resources.
The Campus Shield app connects the campus community directly with University Police.
According to its website, it has features such as Safe Walk, to request a safety escort or contact a non-emergency phone number; Emergency Button, which sends accurate location information to the phone number you designate using geo-fences; and FriendWatch, where friends and family members can watch out for each other during potentially dangerous activities and others.
Jones encouraged students to be bystanders in situations where violence can be present.
“It doesn’t mean jumping into a dangerous situation … but if you see a situation that you think might be dangerous, call the police or cover or distract,” she said.
The director added the campus community can reach out for assistance at any time.
“If something happens to you, it’s not your fault,” Jones said. “You’re not alone. We’re here to make sure that people who experience trauma and violence can succeed at whatever they choose.”
OAVP is available on both campuses from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and has a 24/7 phone line at (956) 665-8287.
