The DOVE Center is now open three days a week on Utah Tech University’s campus, offering advocacy support for domestic violence and sexual assault.
Previously available one day a week, a representative is now available to see in-person Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon in the Testing Center as well as Fridays, same time, at the Browning Learning Resource Center room 106.
The reasoning behind opening more days a week is to bring awareness to the fact that DOVE is an available resource and to see how the wider range of days works for students and their schedules. The two locations are also to see where the center is being utilized.
Hailey Henstrom, rape and sexual assault education advocate for DOVE, is the representative that will be on campus during the three days. She offers advocacy to students, staff and faculty.
Henstrom’s outlined advocacy includes:
- Confidentiality
- Emotional support
- Referrals to campus and outside resources
- Education regarding cycle of violence — myths and facts about sexual assault and what healthy relationships look like
- Medical care options like sexual assault forensic exams
- Safety planning for situations
“Sometimes people remain in unsafe situations, whether they can’t leave or they don’t want to leave yet,” Henstrom said. “And so just figuring out, if you’re going to stay in this situation, that’s OK, that’s your choice. You know your situation best. But how can we prepare you to be as safe as possible in that situation?”
Advocacy is not legal advice, medical advice or therapy. Henstrom said when individuals ask what they should do, DOVE advocacy representatives can’t tell them what to do but can direct people to resources who are qualified to help more intensely.
As the DOVE representative on campus, Henstrom is offering educational presentations about sexual assault, domestic violence and DOVE resources. She can go into classrooms and even clubs to talk about these.
She also distinguishes the myths surrounding sexual assault and violence. With social norms and stigmas associating these solely with women, Henstrom said sexual assault and domestic violence doesn’t discriminate against gender, age, disability, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
“It’s really an issue of power and control, and it can happen to anyone,” she said. “And so if I want students to know one thing, is that regardless of who you are or what your background is, you are welcome at the DOVE Center and we believe you, we want to help you and you deserve to get those resources.”
From the first days fall semester to Thanksgiving break is called the “red zone” — where there is a spike of sexual assaults on college campuses, accounting for 50% of sexual assaults seen in one academic year. Henstrom said this is another reason why DOVE is crucial on campus.
Brenda Medrano, student resource coordinator, is the DOVE Center liaison on campus. This means she is in charge of working with that partnership with DOVE and ensuring students know what the center is and how to access their resources.
Medrano also makes sure students understand the center is an organization outside of campus, meaning DOVE doesn’t report to the university.
“Sometimes students feel more safe doing that first before working with our Title IX office,” Medrano said. “But we always give them the option of the resources on campus. But also, it’s important for our students to know the outside resources.”
DOVE works with TItle IX and the dean of students when needed, but as an entity outside the university, the nonprofit isn’t bound to the same restrictions that university employees are bound to, like mandatory reporting.
Henstrom said: “Sometimes, especially on campus, people are intimidated by making a report to the police or to Title IX, and it’s a very confusing system for a lot of people. So we can talk through what that looks like for that person, and then they can make a more informed decision.”
Hazel Sainsbury, director of equity compliance and Title IX coordinator, said students can also reach out to the Office of Equity Compliance and Title IX for federal protections.
She said, “It’s important that as a university community we take ownership of keeping our environment safe by speaking up and championing our values when we know of someone who is not being treated with dignity and respect.”
Moving forward, the hope is that DOVE will have a more centralized location on campus to become even more accessible to students.
To schedule an appointment on campus or view more resources, visit the DOVE Center website. Walk-ins are also welcome during the designated hours at the Testing Center and Browning. The domestic violence 24/7 helpline is 800-799-7233.
“If a student is not ready to talk about their experience, it’s not my role or any other applicant’s role to make them,” Henstrom said. “Really, it’s their experience. It’s their journey, and they need to talk about it whenever they’re comfortable. And if you want to talk about it, this is a space where that information won’t be shared. We’re not here to judge you. We are going to believe you.”
