Who We Are
Victims Advocate Network (VAN) is a community-led, first response team comprised of licensed social workers and trained volunteer advocates, working in partnership with UTPD, Austin Area Emergency Services, and other campus and community partners to provide immediate and ongoing emotional and practical support to students, faculty, staff, and visitor victims and witnesses impacted by crime or distressing events.
What We're Fundraising For
Funds raised will be dedicated to safety and health needs of victims in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event such as assault, stalking, domestic abuse or witnessing a violent event in our university community. Desperately needed items include: door stoppers; Go-Bag supplies; basic childcare supplies; low dollar grocery cards; affordable victim transportation from a crime scene; weighted shoulder wrap; weighted lap pad; fidget and grounding items for emotional regulation; mini mochi squishes; and other essential safety needs as determined by our licensed social workers.
Your Impact
When a 911 call comes in, a UTPD officer responds to the scene. The responding officer will call for VAN if any student, staff or visitor experiences or witnesses a crime or distressing event. VAN Advocates immediately connect to person(s) in need.
Victims often need practical support to help them navigate situations involving a sexual assault, stalking, witnessing a fatality, home invasions, burglaries, and mental health concerns to name a few. The VAN Volunteer Advocate provides a needs assessment at the scene, supports the victim with Psychological Frist Aid and helps connect the victim with campus or community resources. VAN licensed Social Workers then follow up with the victim to provide even more practical support such as individualized long-term safety planning, case management, and care coordination with other community partners.
Since its inception in 2019, VAN Volunteers have contributed more than 16,000 hours of on-call service and have provided immediate Psychological First Aid to almost 700 community members in crisis.