The Survivor Support Network, administered through the Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Education, was developed to provide faculty, staff and graduate students with the knowledge and tools needed to best support survivors of sexual misconduct on Pitt’s campus. Sexual misconduct victimization was reported by 26% of undergraduate women, 29% of trans and non-binary students, and 16% of all students while attending the University of Pittsburgh (AAU, 2019). These statistics highlight a need to develop a network of caring faculty, staff and students who are available to support survivors on campus.
- Membership Description
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The Survivor Support Network is a community of trained and caring leaders who are knowledgeable about campus and community resources and are committed to supporting survivors in our community. Joining the Survivor Support Network requires:
- Participation in two core workshops that will provide basic information about responding to disclosures of sexual misconduct, providing referrals to support resources, and trauma informed engagement.
- Participation in one elective workshop and a Heart to Heart with the Survivor Support Network capstone. Once these workshops and the capstone have been completed, participants will receive a kit for supporting survivors of sexual misconduct, a prevention quarter zip, and a certificate outlining their SSN membership.
Members can also decide if they would like to have their name and contact information listed on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion webpage.
- Membership Requirements
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Core (all members must complete both trainings)
- Supporting Survivors of Sexual Misconduct
- Trauma Informed Engagement
- Stand With and Support with the Women’s Center and Shelter
- Bystander Intervention for Faculty and Staff
- Trauma 101 with Pittsburgh Action Against Rape
- Preventing and Responding to Sexual Misconduct
Workshop overviews with dates and times listed below.
- Participation in Heart to Heart with the Survivor Support Network
- November 13th | 12pm-1:30pm
- In-person dialogue-based capstone
- Lunch served
Participants who cannot attend in November will be invited to the April Heart to Heart with the Survivor Support Network lunch
- Survivor Support Network Completion
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Participants who complete all the requirements of the Survivor Support Network will receive the following:
- Survivor Support Kit
- Survivor Support Network Certificate (paper and digital)
- Prevention at Pitt quarter zip
- Ongoing Professional Development
Register for the Survivor Support Network
Core Workshop Overview (must complete both courses)
| Title | About | Dates/Times |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting Survivors of Sexual Misconduct | This workshop provides participants with tools and a basic framework they can use to support survivors of sexual assault in their lives. This workshop covers how to support a survivor in a few simple steps and discusses resources available to survivors of sexual violence on campus as well as in the Greater Pittsburgh area. | Wednesday, January 29th | 11am-12pm In-Person Facilitated by Carrie Benson
Tuesday, February 18th |1pm-2pm Virtual Facilitated by Willa Campbell |
| Trauma Informed Engagement | This training was developed to provide community members with skills to help them engage with the Pitt community using a trauma focused approach. These trainings will provide participants with time to practice some of the shared skills. | Tuesday February 11th, | 1pm-2pm Virtual Facilitated by Carrie Benson
Wednesday, February 26th| 11am-12pm In-Person Facilitated by Willa Campbell |
Elective Workshop Overview (must complete one courses)
| Title | About | Date/Times |
|---|---|---|
| Trauma 101 | This workshop discusses the effects of trauma, how to provide ongoing support for survivors, and PAAR specific resources. This workshop is facilitated by Pittsburgh Action Against Rape. | March 3, 2024 | 11am-12pm Virtual Facilitated by Pittsburgh Action Against Rape |
| Stand With and Support: How to support community members experiencing IPV | This training offered by STANDING FIRM, a program of the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, is designed for staff and faculty of the university to build understanding of the complex issues around domestic/partner violence and how it affects the workplace and the workforce. Attendees will learn how to recognize the signs that a co-worker or student may be dealing with the realities of domestic/partner violence and how to approach and respond to them in a respectful, safe, and productive manner. | March 20th | 10am-11am Virtual Training Facilitated by Standing Firm of the Women’s Center and Shelter |
| Bystander Intervention for Faculty and Staff | Bystander Intervention Training is a discussion-based workshop designed to help participants recognize and respond to sexual harassment and other types of harassment and discrimination in an academic and professional setting. Participants will learn tips for how to intervene and how to report incidents or get help. | April 2nd | 11am-12:15pm In Person Training Facilitated by Carrie Benson |
| Preventing and Responding to Sexual Misconduct | This workshop will promote a common and consistent understanding and application of policies, standards, and processes. It will include discussions around sexual harassment and how to support survivors of sexual misconduct. Finally, participants will learn about resources available to all community members. This workshop is highly interactive and uses scenarios and videos. |