Need Help

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is:

Healing-centered engagement.
Culturally rooted and intersectional.
Trauma-informed, active, emotional support.
Assisting victims/survivors in exploring and understanding their options.
Referrals to campus and community resources.
Walking with you as you make informed decisions.
Listening generously without judgment.
Psychoeducation on the impact of trauma and cycle of violence.
Available to any student, faculty, or staff in the campus community, regardless of where and when an incident took place.

You can expect:

Collaborative brainstorming regarding options.
Administrative support throughout the reporting, investigation, and hearing process.
To share as much or as little information as you would like
To make a holistic plan
To learn about your rights and reporting options.
To discuss your needs regarding housing, class absences, coursework extensions, transportation, safety planning, access to campus services, and more
To discuss how your experience may have affected work or school and how your advocate can help by working with your professors for supportive measures.
To get connected to other on- and off-campus resources, including counseling.
To discuss resources available for medical care including forensic exams for evidence collection.

Were you sexually assaulted?

If you are in danger or have injuries, call 911 immediately
Contact us 24/7 at (504) 286-5289 for reporting and non-reporting options, resources, or to obtain a forensic exam
If you do not want to report to the police, you can receive a non-reporting forensic exam
At minimum, contact the SUNO Student Health Center for a medical check-up, STI testing, pregnancy testing, or emergency contraception
To preserve physical evidence:
- Do not shower, douche, brush your teeth, eat, drink, or use the restroom if possible
- Do not change or wash your underwear or clothing. If you have removed your clothing, place it in a paper bag or eco-grocery bag

Learn more about your options after sexual assault.

If you would like more information or need help leaving an abusive relationship, contact us 24/7 at (504) 286-5289. Our staff can help develop a safety plan, inform you of your options, and/or assist with filing for an injunction for protection.

Are you being stalked or harassed?

Consider making a report to law enforcement
Contact us 24/7 at (504) 286-5289 for options and safety planning
Make a no-contact statement to the perpetrator
Change passwords and update privacy settings on all email and social media accounts
Document all incidents of stalking and harassment (date, time, description of incident, etc.) on a stalking incident log or stalking incident log for college students.
Consider filing an injunction for protection

Common Reactions to Victimization

If you are a victim of crime, violence, or abuse you may experience a variety of emotions as a result of this trauma. You can contact a victim advocate by calling us 24/7 at (504) 286-5289 to discuss what you’re experiencing. Learn more about common reactions to trauma and victimization.

Tips for Safety Planning

Keep a charged cell phone with you at all times
Be aware of your surroundings; be vigilant
Document all alarming incidents (stalking, harassment, threats, abuse, etc.)
Use the privacy settings on social networking sites and limit personal information posted online
Socialize in a group setting or public place
Always let someone know where you are going, how to reach you, and when you expect to return
When using dating sites/apps, never agree to meet for the first time in an isolated area; always meet in a public place
Do not share passwords to social networking and other personal accounts
Contact us 24/7 at (504) 286-5289 to develop a personalized safety plan