Quick Assist

Did this happen because I’m…? (Bias Motivated Incidents)

Bias motivated incidents involve behavior that is motivated by bias based on perceived race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, age or sexual orientation and has a negative impact. Incidents of bias can take many different forms and the impact can vary. Comments or actions that are degrading or devaluing may be considered to be bias incidents. The important thing to note is the impact on the person experiencing the incident.

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Someone close to me died (Death)

Experiencing or anticipating the death of a loved one or community member takes on many different meanings for people. While every person grieves every loss differently, all people may experience a number of changing emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, shame, ambivalence, and confusion. Grieving people are often uncomfortable and embarrassed at the changes they are experiencing and how they respond to things.

 
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Do I have to deal with this if I want to be here?
(Harassment or Discrimination Including Sexual Harassment)

Harassment and discrimination are pervasive and can take place in many different contexts. Some harassment and discrimination is a clear violation of university policy or other laws and some is not covered by policy but still has an impact. Regardless, the impact of the harassment and discrimination is the concern of the the Office of Victim Assistance (OVA). OVA and many other resources on campus are available to help you explore your options and resources whether harassment and discrimination has happened on or off campus, is presently happening or has taken place in the past.

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My partner is hurting me (Intimate Partner Violence)

Intimate partner violence that occurs in a relationship that is or has been intimate. There is a pattern of one person inflicting emotional or physical pain on another in order to control them.

The people involved could be involved romantically, boyfriend, girlfriend, past or present, partners, spouses, or co-parents of a child. People of any gender or sexual orientation can end up in a destructive relationship.

It can be hard to look at relationships and ask, “What crosses the line?”

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Someone injured me (Physical Assaults and Hazing)  

The Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) is a resource for people who have been the clear target of crime, such as a disproportionate physical attack, hazing or who have experienced intimate partner violence, bias motivated assaults, or sexual assaults. 

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I was in a bad accident (Serious Accidents)

The Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) is a resource for people who have been in serious accidents which are incapacitating and seriously disrupt your ability to function in the academic environment. OVA primarily offers a consultative role.

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I was forced to have sex (Sexual Assault)

Sexual assault is unwanted sexual contact. If you ’ve had something happen, you may not know what to call it. Was it a sexual assault? rape? bad sex? being groped? You don’t have to know what to call it in order to get help sorting through some common concerns.

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Someone is following me, showing up places, seems to know a lot about me (Stalking)

Stalking or “persistent unwanted behavior” describes repeated harassment or intrusive behavior. Stalking may cause fear, annoyance or anger in the person who is being targeted. Sometimes the targeted person may minimize the situation, but bystanders may see it as dangerous or concerning. Stalking can occur in our out of relationships, between acquaintances or complete strangers.

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How often does this happen, anyway? (prevalence)

Assessing prevalence is more complicated than you might think. One way is to look at “reports,” but that leads you to the question of what is reporting, why do people do it or not do it, and who are people likely to “report” to, or tell? To learn more about the various ways of gathering information and thinking about prevalence, click here.

Reporting
Confidential Reporting
How to Assist the Emotionally Distressed Student (.pdf)