Sexual Abuse Peer Advisors

Sexual Abuse Peer Advisors serve as a campus resource to those students who have been confronted with issues of sexual abuse and/or intimate partner violence. These students work with survivors of abuse (either recently or in the past), or secondary survivors (UGAs, friends, family, or partners). A SAPA provides support, referrals, and advocacy. SAPA is a peer advising group sponsored by Dartmouth College's Health Promotion Department (in Dick's House). The Sexual Abuse Awareness Program Coordinator serves as the advisor. 

Philosophy

The philosophy of the SAPA program is based upon the following Shared Beliefs and Values:

1. The victim is never at fault for any sexual abuse or violence that he/she may encounter.
2. Healthy sexual relationships are consensual and never coercive or exploitative.
3. Sexual abuse can happen to anyone; Sexual abuse can be committed by anyone.
4. Every victim is the expert in his/her own healing process.
5. Sexual abuse is a community issue.

Training

Each SAPA has completed 22-24 hours of training, typically broken down into two-hour sessions.  SAPA training is offered during Winter and Spring terms.  This training is designed to give SAPAs the knowledge and ability to learn all the information necessary to be a good resource to survivors of sexual abuse.  The content of the training includes crisis intervention training, medical issues, intimate partner violence, police procedures and medical evidence collection, understanding the COS (Committee on Standards), personal safety, and other issues.

The SAPA trainings for 2011-2012 school year are planned for Winter Term 2011 and Spring Term 2011. If you are interested in participating in our training, blitz SAPA for an application.  Commitment to all sessions is mandatory!  

Web Resources

• WISE (Women's Information Services), our local Community Resource
• www.rainn.org
• www.ncadv.org
• Dartmouth's Center for Women & Gender

Programming

Part of the role as a resource to students here at Dartmouth, a SAPA will also participate in a variety of programming, both large and small scale.  Through participation at different programs, SAPAs will provide support to students that have been affected by sexual/intimate partner violence, support fellow peer advisors who are also raising awareness, and lastly, to continue their own education around sexual abuse and other related issues.

A few examples of programs that SAPAs are involved with are:

Consent Day, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sex Festival, V-Day/Vagina Monologues, Speak Out, and Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Upcoming Programming:

Contact Us

Blitz SAPA   We are happy to talk with you!