Counseling & Psychological Services

Dan Jones, Ph.D., ABPP
Director, Counseling and Psychological Services Center
Appalachian State University
December, 2002

The Appalachian State University Counseling Center and Wellness Center provide the following services to address sexual assault issues:

I. Preventive

A. "Risque' Business" presents a dramatic vignette which illustrates the problems of acquaintance rape. All freshmen who attend orientation are exposed to this program.

B. Prevention and educational programming on rape, sexual assault, assertiveness, sexuality, how substances may play a role in sexual assault, and responding to the victim/survivor may be provided by Center staff or peer educators to Freshman Seminar, fraternities, sororities, athletes, residence halls, and other groups upon request.

C. Walk for Awareness: This annual program coordinated by Counseling Center staff has thousands in attendance each year.

D. "Sex and a Six Pack": An attorney and other panel members discuss a dramatic date rape vignette and the laws related to alcohol consumption and date rape. This program is primarily directed toward males.

E. The Counseling Center staff coordinates the Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force on campus attempting to create and coordinate cooperative rape prevention efforts and promote programs to increase awareness of sex offenses.

F. MAR (Men Against Rape) is a student led peer rape prevention program sponsored by the Counseling Center with staff members serving as advisors.

G. Several Counseling Center staff members serve on the local SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) with emergency room, OASIS, law enforcement, and others involved in campus and community agencies. These medical, psychological, and legal personnel all have special training in dealing with sexual victimization and how to coordinate services. The SART Team facilitates mutual agreements between campus, local law enforcement, and the community that clarifies roles and responsibilities related to emergency responses.

H. The Counseling Center staff coordinate activities such as information tables and the "Stick Together" program during Sexual Assault Awareness Week.

II. Training

A. Practicum and internship students are trained in sexual assault prevention and treatment.

B. Issues related to sexual assault and rape are discussed in the training provided to housing personnel (residence assistants and resident directors).

C. Peer Educators are trained to provide programming.

III. Clinical Intervention and Emergency Response for the Victim/Survivor

A. Counseling Center staff provide a 24 hour on-call system when classes are in session. Counselors will respond by meeting the student in the hospital emergency room or, in some cases, the Student Health Center. Since many assault survivors prefer to see a female counselor, our female staff will make themselves available to respond. The bottom-line concern for Counseling Center staff in such situations is the emotional well being and support of the student and to establish a plan for possible follow-up psychological services. The student is encouraged, but not pressured, to file charges against the perpetrator, to complete a physical examination and rape kit, and to participate in follow-up care.

B. The Counseling Center provides training and maintains a cooperative and close working relationship with the independent local rape crisis center, OASIS.

C. The Counseling Center provides a Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Survivors Group. The group is open to students who have been sexually assaulted and are seeking a supportive and therapeutic environment to work through and heal from their experience.

D. The Counseling Center attempts to facilitate dissemination of information on what services are available and making appropriate referrals in both directions to allow the survivor to have choices and regain a sense of control. Cooperation and knowledge of resources facilitates the ability of a knowledgeable and sensitive person to act as a support for the student while allowing the university and legal authorities to do their investigative and (potential) prosecutorial jobs.

E. Individual, couples, or family therapy is provided free as needed to student sexual assault survivors.

F. Short-term crisis intervention may be provided to significant others of survivors.

G. Information is published and distributed in brochures, pamphlets, and flyers about assistance for students who are sexually victimized, including information about rights, emergency and longer-term support and services, and contact information both on-campus and in the community to Freshman Seminar classes, residence hall programs, athletes, fraternities, and sororities.

H. The rape protocols for the Counseling Center for managing responses to alleged sex crimes are distributed to the public and are available in the Counseling Center.