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You are not alone.  Everyone deals with traumatic events differently, but it may be helpful to talk about the experience with someone else. You will not be pressured to make any decisions. Instead, you will be given information and support to help make the right decisions.  Merced College students can access free, confidential support resources both on and off campus. 

 

Quick guide: Campus, local, and national resources for survivors

Free and Confidential Support

Free, confidential support is available 24/7 to all Merced College students. A confidential resource is someone who has professional and legal mandates to protect the confidentiality of the information disclosed by a person impacted by sexual misconduct or relationship violence. In other words, these individuals are not required to report what is shared with them to law enforcement.

A sexual violence survivor advocate is available to assist Merced College students, faculty, and staff.  Services are free and confidential. The advocate is located in Downey LRC (room 205). Students at the Los Banos campus should contact the advocate at 209-756-6446 or [email protected] to arrange for services.

campus advocate email: [email protected]

phone (call or text): 209.756.6446 

Fall 2024 office hours:  Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.  If you need immediate help outside of the advocate’s office hours, please call the Valley Crisis Center 24/7 hotline at (209) 722-4357

For video directions to the RSVP Program / campus advocate’s office watch here

Office location: Downey LRC (Library) room 205. The advocate’s office is located on the second floor.  Proceed up the stairs and look to your left for Room 205, or call us and we will meet you in the lobby.

What is the campus advocate? 

  • Merced College and Valley Crisis Center have partnered to offer sexual violence survivor advocacy services on campus.
  • Services are free and confidential.  This means your name will not be shared with campus authorities.
  • The advocate supports survivors of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking. 
  • Support is also available for friends, family, and classmates of survivors.
  • You will never be required to report to the police or campus authorities, unless you choose to do so.
  • Some examples of services include peer counseling, legal assistance, accompaniment to medical exams, and referrals to community resources.
  • The advocate is available to all people, regardless of identity or status. Language services can be arranged.

Merced College Student Health Services has personal counselors who are confidential resources.  These personal counselors are not required to report what is shared with them to law enforcement unless there is an immediate risk to the campus community.  Services available Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm.

Merced College Student Health Services
Call for an appointment: (209) 384-6045

Merced College has a partnership with Valley Crisis Center.  If you need immediate assistance, after-hours help, or prefer to go off-campus, a Valley Crisis Center advocate is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  An advocate is someone who offers information and emotional support and helps find resources.  Advocates are confidential resources, which means they will not disclose anything to authorities unless you ask them to.  If you choose to report an incident or seek medical care, an advocate can accompany you to the authorities or hospital.  VCC provides restraining order support, peer counseling sessions, and emergency safe house options.  Services are available in many languages, including Spanish and Hmong.

Valley Crisis Center
790 Loughborough Dr.
Merced, CA 95348
24 HR Crisis Line: (209) 722-4357

National Hotlines and Resources

RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, a confidential hotline available via phone at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

The LGBT National Help Center provides telephone, online chat, and email peer support. They speak with callers of all ages about bullying, workplace issues, HIV/AIDS anxiety, coming out, relationships, safer sex, and more. They also have a massive resource database for social and support groups, gay-friendly religious organizations, sports, leagues, student groups, and more. 

Individuals who are survivors of abuse, family or friends of those impacted, or abusive partners seeking to change can contact the hotline to receive information on resources, safety plans, and how to support those impacted by domestic violence.  

 

Human trafficking occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Force, fraud, or coercion need not be present if the individual engaging in commercial sex is under 18 years of age. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, the National Human Trafficking Hotline will provide the support you need.