Not every person who experiences violence will come forward to disclose or share their story. If you start seeing changes in behavior from a friend, colleague, employee, etc. such as difficulty concentrating, frequent absences from classes or work, and/or a decline in academic or work performance, consider whether it might be related to sexual violence, relationship violence and/or stalking. You should encourage your friend to contact HOPE Works, the Title IX Coordinator, and/or Police Services.  AAEO's Intake and Outreach Coordinator is available to provide support information and reporting options too.Some survivors will want to talk about their experiences. 

• Keep their privacy.
• It is a survivor's decision when and whether to tell others about what happened.
• Don’t push them to reveal details about the incident or ask questions, even if you're curious.
• Sexual misconduct occurs against people of all genders, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.  

• If a survivor was drunk during the assault, assure them that they aren't to blame for what happened.
• If a survivor feels guilty because they didn't fight back, assure them that fear sometimes inhibits us.
• Tell them that they did the best they could to survive the situation and that no one deserves to be sexually assaulted.

Don’t blame survivors for what happened by asking them things like why they were drinking, why they didn't fight back, what they were wearing, or by telling them what you would have done.

• Encourage the individual to engage with support resources (see below), including counseling for emotional support
• Be informed about UVM policies.
• Be informed about bystander intervention and healthy relationships
• EO staff members are available for questions about UVM resources and procedures

Support Resources for Respondents

• UVM Counseling and Psychiatry Services (CAPS): Confidential counseling services for students. (802) 656-3340
• Employee Assistance Program:  Confidential counseling services for UVM employees.  Contact (802) 864-3270 or toll-free at 1-866-660-9533
• UVM Student Health Services: Confidential health care services for students. (802) 656-3350
• UVM Police Services:  To report criminal conduct, including sexual assault, other forms of sexual misconduct, hate crimes, or other misconduct:  Call 911 in an emergency or contact Police Services at (802) 656-3473.  Police Services can also assist with safety planning. 
• Equal Opportunity (including EO process advisors):  EO’s Intake and Outreach Coordinator is available to assist individuals who have questions about the UVM investigation process, or who are in need of interim measures such as no-contact orders, class changes, and other measures, as appropriate. The Intake and Outreach Coordinator is available to assist both complainants and respondents.  (802) 656-3368
• UVM Identity Centers 
• Office of International Education: 802-656-4296
• Dean of Students Office: 656-3380
• Catamount Recovery - substance use recovery support