What is New With The Advocates Program

CW: contains talk about the subject of DV and SA  

From running a 24/7 confidential peer support hotline, to providing education about sexual wellness and Title IX, to running fun events on campus to recognize Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness weeks in the fall and spring semesters, The Advocates program has been a resource on campus for almost two decades. Started in 2005 under a grant from the Department of Justice Office, The Advocates Program is an inclusive campus-wide effort aimed at education and outreach, community coordination, prevention, and advocacy about sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking.  

We are dedicated to creating safe spaces in St. Lawrence University and the surrounding communities for survivors of all genders, sexual orientations, classes, races and religions. The Advocates Program has long stood by this dedication and, since 2005, has maintained an office space on campus where students can find resources and also speak with a trained advocate. This semester, The Advocates Program office space has been moved to Lee Hall, room 192, to make space in the Student Center for a member from the Health Center. The new Lee office is located on the main floor, near the entrance to Eben Holden. We are sharing this office space with the Peer Health Network Club and plan to utilize this space to the best of our abilities.  

This semester, we will also be hosting an AWARE training for students interested in becoming trained Advocates. Spring AWARE Training will be held March 8, 9, and 10 in the Bloomer Auditorium. Friday’s training will be in the evening from 5-8 P.M, Saturday will be 10 A.M.-5 P.M, and Sunday will be 10 A.M.-4 P.M.  

In Fall 2021, an anonymous article about advocates training was written for The Hill, and it expresses the importance of the Advocates. In the most eloquent wording I’ve come across, the author says, “So, in that case, why should you guys bother with the training? Well, AWARE training isn’t just about preparing people to be official advocates on the phone. The things you learn in those three days are valuable in everyday life. In the month or so since being trained, I’ve already used some of the strategies I learned when talking to survivors or even just friends going through difficult times. Having the skills and knowledge to productively and empathetically engage with people who have suffered a traumatic event is critical for people regardless of their gender or their intention to be an active member of the St. Lawrence Advocates organization…Besides learning skills to communicate with people in times of crisis, AWARE training also focuses on explicitly defining things like rape, stalking, manipulation and dating violence. The knowledge to recognize these things can be critical in removing yourself, helping a friend, or helping a loved one escape from one of these situations.”  

Dinner from Sergi’s will be provided on Friday evening. Coffee, donuts and snacks will be available throughout Saturday and Sunday.  

Once trained, you will have access to a network of students who are dedicated to making a change in their personal lives on campus. The Advocates Program is a group of faculty, staff and students passionate about reducing the amount of sexual violence, relationship violence and stalking on campus through education and outreach. We believe this work is important and encourage you to connect with us if you  

would like to join the Advocates! For more information, reach out to Margo Napper at mchaye20@stlawu.edu .  

Upcoming events include:  

Feb. 25 – 2 P.M., Hannon Room – The Advocates Program Weekly meeting  

March 3 – 2 P.M. Hannon Room – The Advocates Program Weekly meeting: We will be having a refresher class about the phone for already trained advocates. 

March 8, 9, 10 – Spring AWARE Training: If you want to sign up for training, scan the QR code that can be found at the end of this article!  

We will be tabling every Tuesday and Thursday until training with resources, and members of the advocates will be present to answer any questions you may have about training.