WHAT IS VAT?
The Victim Assistance Team (VAT) is here to provide confidential support and advocacy to Colorado State University students and any family or friends who have experienced sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking on or off campus.
WHAT DOES THE VICTIM ASSISTANCE TEAM DO?
- Advocates assist victims of all genders, and any family or friends to cope with the physical, psychological and legal aftermath resulting from interpersonal violence.
- Trained Victim Advocates are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide emotional support and information.
- Advocates can provide information about the victim’s choices for getting medical care. Advocates can meet with a student in a residence hall room, at a designated spot on campus, or another agreed upon location.
- Advocates can also accompany a victim to the hospital or Women’s Clinic (or Men’s Clinic) at the CSU Health Network if they would like.
- Advocates can explain the process of reporting the assault to the police and can go with the victim to the police station if they decide to file a report. They can also let the victim know about the University’s reporting policies if the perpetrator is a student or staff member.
- Calling for an advocate does not obligate reporting anything to the police, except when the victim is under 18 or the perpetrator of a child sexual assault is still in a position of power over children.
WHO ARE THE ADVOCATES?
Advocates are volunteers (students, staff and faculty) who complete an extensive 45-hour training program. They understand the complexity of the aftermath of interpersonal violence and can assist students in making decisions and obtaining resources. They are educated about legal and medical systems, psychological ramifications of interpersonal violence and can provide choices and information about medical care. Advocates can provide emotional support as the victim seeks resources. The victim remains in charge of making the decisions.
VICTIM ASSISTANCE TEAM (VAT) TRAINING
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer advocate for the Victim Assistance Team? Advocates provide support and information to CSU community members who are survivors of interpersonal violence and their support people. Advocates complete a 40-hour training class which is held in the fall semester. There is an option to receive 3 credits for taking the training (graduate or undergraduate). Interested volunteers will complete an application and an interview before being enrollment.
We have 2 training options for 2023:
One option is a weeklong intensive course. This is geared toward faculty, staff, and graduate students. It will take place from 8am-5pm on Monday, 5/22 – Friday, 5/26. The 2nd option is our semester long course, which will take place once a week for 3 hours. Dates and times TBD.
If you have questions or would like to be put on an interest list, please contact Victoria Benjamin at victoria.benjamin@colostate.edu or 970-491-6384.
