Samara Flores EDINBURG – Data from the American Psychological Association showed 26.4% of undergraduate women in the United States experience rape or sexual assault.
The Office for Advocacy and Violence Prevention or OAVP will provide advocacy, counseling, and support services to students, faculty and staff affected by power-based violence throughout April for Sexual Assault Awareness month.
This includes sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
Dr. Cynthia Jones, professor and director of OAVP, said she encourages students to refrain from self-blame and seek help.
“These things are very disempowering,” Jones said. “One of the things we want to do is help people to feel both safe and empowered in their situation and leave the decisions up to them but give them the information and resources to move forward and be successful.”
Jones said 92% to 94% of college-aged women who report sexual assault report being assaulted by someone they know.
“What you are wearing is irrelevant,” Jones said. “Where you were, if you were drinking, do your best to avoid dangerous situations. Don’t think it’s your fault if something does happen to you and reach out for resources. There are many excellent resources available on campus and in the community.”
Health experts advised to seek care within 72 hours after sexual assault to allow for HIV post-exposure treatment, prevention of STI transmission and to collect forensic evidence, with or without a police report.
The UT Health Rio Grande Valley Student Health Services provide confidential testing and routine screenings and on-site laboratory services at both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses.
For more information, students can contact the OAVP Edinburg office at (956) 665-8287 or the Brownsville office at (956) 882-8282.
