The national statistics for sexual violence are startling. Roughly every two minutes, someone in the United States is sexual assaulted.
Approximately 73% of victims know their assailant, and about one in every six women and one in thirty-three men have experienced, attempted, or completed rape. This number increases drastically for college-aged women.
The University of New Haven is committed to ending sexual violence on campus and has partnered with the Rape Crisis Center of Milford, a local sexual assault crisis center which serves seven surrounding area towns, including West Haven. The fruit of this collaboration has been the development of the College Advocate position at the Rape Crisis Center, who has the primary responsibility of serving the UNH community.
The Advocate, Jes Champagne, provides free and confidential services on campus to anyone affected by sexual assault. Champagne is available by appointment, or during Drop-in hours, which are listed below. She provides crisis counseling for survivors of sexual assault, as well as their friends or partners who are seeking guidance on how to help their loved one.
If a student contacts the Advocate, it is important to understand that they are not obligated to pursue criminal charges or even receive medical attention. Champagne says, “in speaking with me, I will help the student identify the different options that are available to them, and we’ll explore the concerns that the student might have regarding each one. I support the student in coming to their own decision, and I respect those decisions once they are made. I truly believe in assisting all survivors of sexual assault in re-gaining control of their lives, and the first step in doing that is letting them make their own informed decisions about how they would like to proceed following the assault.”
If a student does decide to pursue criminal charges or to receive medical attention, Champagne is available to support the student through the process. This can include informing the student as to what to expect, attending the appointments with the student, and advocating on the student’s behalf if at any point the student indicates that they are uncomfortable. Champagne says “I want students to know that I am there, 100%, for them.”
Aside from providing crisis counseling, Champagne spends a lot of time on campus assisting with sexual assault prevention projects. “I have been asked to give presentations in classes, to attend meetings for student organizations, to provide trainings to offices on campus, and to speak to students interested in pursuing a career in victim services. I am available for practically anything,” says Champagne. She is in the process of planning programs for some of the residence halls and hopes to visit all of them before the end of the semester.
Champagne is always looking for more students, faculty, or staff members who have ideas for programming or would like to collaborate on a project, and encourages anyone who is interested to contact her
Additionally, the Center is always looking for volunteers to assist in coverage of our 24 –hour hotline. Volunteers are required to become certified sexual assault counselors in the state of Connecticut, which requires 30 hours of training and yearly re-certification. If anyone would like more information, or has any questions, please contact Jes by phone at 203-878-1212, by email at [email protected], or in person during drop-in hours every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Counseling Center in Sheffield Hall. Appointments are always available upon request.
