Victim advocacy program expands

Grand Valley has expanded its victim advocacy program to members of the campus community who want to disclose a sexual assault or another form of gender-based violence.

Six staff members have been trained as co-advocates, working closely with Ashley Schulte, victim advocate, who is based in the Women's Center.

Schulte has been in her role since May 2015 and said training others shows best practices.

"Having one victim advocate does not meet the needs of the diverse student body we serve," Schulte said.

The co-advocates completed 40 hours of training through the YWCA in Grand Rapids. They are Sharalle Arnold, associate director, Women's Center; Jen Hsu, director, LGBT Resource Center; Jessica Jennrich, director, Women's Center; Salvador Lopez, associate director, Admissions; Kellie Pnacek-Carter, assistant director, Event Services; and Marla Wick, assistant director, LGBT Resource Center.

Like Schulte, the co-advocates are exempt from their reporting responsibilities under the university's responsible employee policy. Schulte explained that means a student can disclose information to her or a co-advocate without prompting a response from the university, only ever sharing non-identifiable information for Clery compliance.

Lopez said he was interested in serving as a co-advocate because of his role in Admissions and advisory work with Laker Familia, a student organization.

"I know and interact with a lot of Grand Valley students, and sometimes it’s better if students can put a face to the person they are meeting with, especially in very sensitive conversations or situations," Lopez said.

Pnacek-Carter said it was an opportunity to serve students in a different capacity.

"If I am able to ensure students do not feel alone or unheard as they are working through an issue, I will feel successful in this role," she said. "On-going training affords us up-to-date information and resources that we are able to share with students."

Information about the victim advocacy program is online, click here.