Sexual Assault and Misconduct Services and Support

The University provides a variety of resources, services and support to the campus community to help prevent and respond to any type of sexual assault or misconduct. These important topics have been highlighted nationally, and we continually educate students, faculty and staff about the resources available to them on our campus.

UAct Program

Website

The UAct program provides a central location for information about reporting sexual misconduct and other issues.

UAct is a campaign created as part of UA’s commitment to raise awareness and promote prevention of sexual violence. Any student, faculty or staff member, applicant or campus visitor who has concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence, which includes sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence, is encouraged to seek the assistance of an appropriate University official. Among other things, the comprehensive UAct campaign designates multiple reporting options across campus. These officials include designated harassment resource officers from all colleges and departments, the Title IX Office, the Office of Student Conduct, the Director of Equal Opportunity Programs, the Office of the Dean of Students, University Police, and a 24-hour Hazing and Harassment Hotline (205-348-HALT (4258)).

University of Alabama Police Department

UAPD provides a comprehensive array of law enforcement services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through a dedicated staff of 90 sworn, state-commissioned police officers. University police officers work with Tuscaloosa County's violent crimes task force, which has jurisdiction for all investigations of sexual assaults that occur in the county. From spring 2016 to present UAPD has provided more than 250 training presentations to some 15,360 students about the following topics: sexual assault awareness/ prevention, alcohol and drug education/ awareness, and personal safety.

Women and Gender Resource Center

Victim Advocacy and Counseling Services

A victim advocate is on call 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays, for crisis intervention and support. To access the on-call victim advocate after hours or on the weekend call UAPD at 205-348-5454 and request the WGRC on-call advocate.

• Hospital accompaniment
• Location of safe housing
• Academic intervention with missed classes & exams
• Emergency intake for crisis intervention on a walk-in basis
• Help exploring legal & judicial options
• Information & referrals
• Assistance with crime victims’ compensation application

Counseling services are available with a staff therapist or a qualified graduate level counseling intern.

• Free & confidential individual counseling and therapy
• Victim/survivor and other education support groups
• Crisis counseling/support for family and friends of victims

Education and Outreach

The Education Coordinator and other WGRC staff members are available to schedule special events or speak to student organizations, classes, and other venues on a variety of topics related to sexual assault and abuse, other forms of interpersonal violence, bystander intervention, and a number of related topics. Contact the center via phone or e-mail to make a request or discuss options.

WGRC also provides Harbor training sessions at the request of individual campus departments or open sessions scheduled through Human Resources. To schedule a Harbor training, please fill out the Harbor Training Request Form.

UA Counseling Center

The University’s Counseling Center employs counselors available to provide services to students affected by sexual misconduct and sexual assault. It offers one-on-one counseling and outreach programming on any topic relevant to mental health that has an impact on the success and well being of our students. Formats include lectures, presentations, panels, events, displays, and more. Programs are provided by seasoned mental health professionals with over 250 years of collective experience.

Ulifeline contains many mental health resources for UA students. Students may access these free and anonymous resources to learn more about mental health in general and also answer questions they may have about themselves or their friends. Free online mental health screenings are available through Ulifeline as well.

Student Health Center

The Student Health Center provides efficient access to quality, caring healthcare services and promotes student health and wellness. The SHC employs two psychiatrists who provide evaluations and assist with medications on a referral basis.

Title IX Office

The Title IX Office works with University Administration, departments, students, faculty, staff, campus police, and other support services to ensure that University policies and programs foster a campus community free of illegal gender discrimination and sexual violence.

Accommodations may be provided to all individuals involved in a Title IX Investigation, including medical services, counseling services, academic support, housing support, protective orders, safety planning, employment assistance, and filing of Student Conduct complaints. Additionally, the Title IX Office will assist complainants in notifying UAPD or local law enforcement if requested.

The Office also provides training to the campus community through a number of avenues.

UA Safer Living Guide

Website

The printed and online Safer Living Guide publication provides relevant information on resources about preventing and reporting sexual assault, as well as services provided to those affected by any type of sexual misconduct.

Tuscaloosa SAFE Center

The Tuscaloosa SAFE Center provides a free, compassionate, patient-centered environment for sexual assault forensic examinations. It is a community-based, collaborative agency designed to meet the emotional, medical and forensic needs of sexual assault survivors.

Turning Point

Turning Point provides free direct services to both victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault as well as affected family members. It also strives to build awareness and offer information to prevent violence and promote healthy relationships

The UA SAFETY APP provides students and employees with immediate access to information in case of an emergency, including ability to quickly contact campus and area law enforcement agencies. https://ready.ua.edu/safety-app/

EMERGENCY PHONES: The bright blue emergency phones around campus are clearly marked, and each is a direct line to the UAPD Communications Center. No dialing is necessary. In an emergency, push the red button. Refer to the online campus map (select public safety, then check the box for Blue Phones) for emergency phone locations. Most passenger elevators on campus have emergency lines that operate the same way as the emergency phones. Push the red button marked “Emergency” and a UAPD communications operator will answer.

CAMPUS LIGHTING: Safe lighted routes are available through campus. An after-dark walking route map containing enhanced lighting paths on campus is available at https://saferliving.ua.edu/safety-on-campus/.