Introducing Ask an Advocate

 

UNH’s Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program Launches Online Service

DURHAM, N.H. --The University of New Hampshire’s Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP) announces the launch of Ask an Advocate, a new online service providing information about sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship abuse and stalking to UNH students, faculty and staff.

Ask an Advocate is an innovative response to society’s increasing trend towards communicating through electronic media,” said Mary Mayhew, SHARPP’s director.  “While SHARPP’s primary focus will always be to provide information, support and advocacy to survivors of sexual violence, relationship abuse and stalking through in-person meetings and our 24-hour crisis and support line, we also wanted to acknowledge that may people are more comfortable making their first contact with us in a less personal way.  Ask an Advocate is a way for someone to pose a question or learn about available resources in the privacy of their room.”

Ask an Advocate is accessed through SHARPP’s Web site  www.unh.edu/sharpp.  On the home page, click the Ask an Advocate button located in the center of the page.  The Ask an Advocate page will open, giving both an explanation of the service as well as a place to type in a question.  Questions will be answered Monday through Friday when the university is open.

In using Ask an Advocate as opposed to SHARPP’s in-person or crisis line services, there are several important differences to keep in mind, Mayhew points out.  While SHARPP will not disclose the name or information discussed by the person contacting Ask an Advocate, online communication cannot be covered by NH RSA 173-C, the statute which ensures that in-person and telephone communication between survivors and advocates is legally considered to be confidential.  “Due to the nature of electronic communication, we can never 100% guarantee that someone couldn’t gain access to the e-mail.  Our systems here at UNH are very secure, but we do want people to be aware of any potential risk to their confidentiality.”  Another important difference that Mayhew stressed was the fact that Ask an Advocate doesn’t provide immediate answers and can’t provide the kind of in-depth services that one receives through working with an advocate. 

SHARPP’s Direct Service Coordinator Amy Culp believes that Ask an Advocate will be an important tool to reach a segment of the community that, to date, has been reluctant to reach out for help.  “SHARPP has a long history of providing cutting-edge services to survivors at UNH.  Ask an Advocatewill be another tool to help us provide the best possible services to our community.”

For more information about Ask an Advocate, contact SHARPP at 862-3494 or visit SHARPP’s Web site at www.unh.edu/sharpp