Survivor Advocacy
Sexual Violence Response (SVR) at Columbia Health provides advocacy for survivors of stalking, harassment, and sexual, domestic, intimate partner, gender-based, and power-based violence. To receive urgent or after-hours support, please call the 24/7 helpline, 212-854-4357 (HELP). To make an appointment, please call 212-854-3500 or email [email protected].
Survivor Advocacy at Columbia Health
Sexual Violence Response (SVR) advocates for survivors of stalking, harassment, and sexual, domestic, intimate partner, gender-based, and power-based violence.
We have both staff and peer advocates ready to provide crisis intervention and safety planning for survivors. These advocates have been certified through the New York State Department of Health. Advocates provide immediate, supportive responses, and with the survivor's consent, intervene on their behalf. Support may include assistance with navigation of the criminal and civil justice systems, and collaborating with agencies, organizations, and campus departments to help the survivor access the resources they choose.
Sexual Violence Response advocates are available 24/7/365 at 212-854-4357 (HELP). Advocates provide confidential services to survivors and co-survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, relationship abuse, family violence, and other types of harassment.
If you’ve had an abusive incident or sexual assault, you may also review steps you can take to honor your safety and rights.
Who is eligible?
Survivor Advocates can support Columbia students, staff, and faculty on the Morningside, Manhattanville, and Medical campuses, along with members of the Morningside Heights community.
How do I get support?
To receive support from a Sexual Violence Response advocate, you can call 212-854-4357 (HELP) at any time. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year (including holidays).
You can also visit one of the Sexual Violence Response offices in-person:
- Morningside (Lerner Hall 700)
- Barnard (105 Hewitt Hall)
- CUIMC (50 Haven Ave., Suite 206)
In-person appointments and drop-in hours vary by location, so please check the Same Day Care page for our current hours. You may visit any office, regardless of your school affiliation.
To make an appointment, call 212-854-3500 or email [email protected].
What can I expect when I meet with an SVR advocate?
What to expect when you meet with a Sexual Violence Response Advocate during business hours:
- You will connect with an Intake Specialist, who helps with outreach and support. They will connect you with a staff advocate.
- You will meet with your staff advocate. They will listen, discuss your options and rights, and help connect you with resources.
Each situation is different, but all survivors can expect to receive nonjudgmental, trauma-informed support and information. Advocates empower their clients to make their own decisions and explain what processes, practices, or procedures a survivor can expect with any chosen course of action.
How much will it cost?
Survivor Advocacy services have no additional costs and are open to all Columbia students, staff, and faculty.
What else do I need to know?
Sexual Violence Response is a confidential office. We are not required to file a report with the University about your discussion.
Sexual Violence Response is separate from University Life and the Office of Institutional Equity. Sexual Violence Response advocates can help you to file a report with the Title IX Office if you would like to, but it’s not required for seeking our services.
Sexual Violence Response does not provide support for perpetrators of power-based violence.
Where can I learn more about this?
You can learn more about different forms of sexual violence from the health education pages on the Columbia Health website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Survivor Advocates are professional staff members with Sexual Violence Response.
Peer Advocates are student volunteers.
Both Survivor and Peer Advocates receive extensive training and are New York State Department of Health certified Rape Crisis Counselors available to provide crisis intervention and help survivors plan for safety.
Survivor Advocates provide both on-call support for the 24/7 helpline and provide support during office shifts.
Both types of advocates can go with survivors to local hospitals, law enforcement, and campus public safety.
Sexual Violence Response supports survivors of all genders, including men. In fact, 1 in 6 men have experienced abusive sexual experiences before age 18.
Male-identified people experience many of the same reactions and challenges that other survivors experience.
You may contact SVR to make an appointment or visit during drop-in hours.