Santa Clara University

The Office of Student Life, Counseling and Psychological Services, Women's and Gender Studies and The Wellness Center are coming together to start a Sexual Assault Survivors Support Group that offers women the opportunity to process their experience with peers who understand what they are going through. Members of the group will decide what to discuss each week, although common topics will include coping skills, building relationships and healing from the emotional trauma. The group is slated to begin in Fall 2008 and will be open to Santa Clara University. This group is also free and confidential.

All group members will be asked to participate in a 15 minute screening interview. This gives each woman the chance to meet the facilitator, recieve information about the group and helps answer any questions or concerns she may have.

If you're interested, contact:

Wendy Baumbach                     Stephanie Abbey, Ph.D.
Health Educator                       Staff Psychologist
wbaumbach@scu.edu              sabbey@scu.edu

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is this group confidential?
This group is confidential unless any member identifies that they are a danger to themselves or others. At that time there will be an evaluation to help that member get the services and support she needs.

Do I have to report my assault to participate?
No. You do not have to report your assault in order to participate in this group.

Is this group open or closed?
This group will be 'open' the first few weeks of the Fall Quarter. At that time the group will then be closed for the remainder of the quarter.

How often and when does this group meet?
The groups meeting times will be based on member availability. The group will meet once a week.

What about Male Survivors?
At this time this group is available to women only. If you are interested in beginning a group for Male Survivors please contact either Wendy Baumbach or Stephanie Abbey.  If you are looking for resources or support you can contact Counseling and Psychological Services here at SCU (www.scu.edu/caps) or the YWCA's Rape Crisis Center (http://ywca-sv.org/programs/rape_crisis_center.php)

What about friends or partners or survivors?
At this time this group is available for survivors only. If you are seeking support as a partner or friend of a survivor we encourage you to contact Counseling and Psychological Services here at SCU (www.scu.edu/caps) or the YWCA's Rape Crisis Center (http://ywca-sv.org/programs/rape_crisis_center.php)

How do I sign up?
If you are interested in this group please contact:

Wendy Baumbach                     Stephanie Abbey, Ph.D.
Health Educator                       Staff Psychologist
wbaumbach@scu.edu                sabbey@scu.edu

You'll be asked for your name, e-mail address and student ID#.

Online Resources:

The Wellness Center: Offers support and referrals. www.scu.edu/wellness

Counseling and Psychological Services: Offers free and confidential counseling on campus. www.scu.edu/caps

Office of Student Life: Offers support, campus advocates and handles on campus judicial proceedings.
http://www.scu.edu/studentlife/osl/

Santa Clara University Sexual Assault Protocol: For more information about the sexual assault policies at SCU http://www.scu.edu/studentlife/osl/oslpublications/stdhandbook/sexualassault.cfm

Campus Safety Services: Offers support and handles the reporting of sexual assault http://university-operations.scu.edu/campus

Every 2 Minutes and One in Four: Men's and Women's Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Programs. http://www.scu.edu/wellness/Every-2-Minutes-and-One-in-Four.cfm

YWCA Rape Crisis Center: Offers support, advocates, individual and group counseling. http://ywca-sv.org/programs/rape_crisis_center.php