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Show CAMPUS 2 Westminster brings victim I TAYLOR STEVENS . ADVOCATE TO CAMPUS i , MCCALL MASH TAYLOR STEVENS ft EDITOR-IN-CHIE- F t BRE EMPEY After months of discussion and student requests, the Title IX offices first victim advocate started work at Westminster 2 ALANNAH HALL College on Feb. 27. Isabella Ramos - i,r-- long-await- ed JANE JERMAN u 7 U . r I , MATT BAKER (801) 832.2319 forumtusine$$ westminsfercoilege.edu (801) 832.2320 forumeditorwestminstercoIlege.edu The first issue of The Forum is free and the subsequent issues cost $1. Please make payments to The Forum office. the pro- vide student survivors of sexual violence with an additional campus resource. Millers main role will be to help students navigate the internal investigation and criminal processes, according to an email sent to the student body from Jason Schwartz-Johnso- n, Westminsters Title IX MEGAN POLING I Miller filled position, which will . coordinator. Miller said Westminsters decision to create a victim advocate position is an important step. I do think its important to have kind of another resource for students who have experienced specifically violence or sexual assault in order to just have an additional resource for them, she said. It says that the students are kind of being heard and that whats happening to them is real and happening to them. I think when you have a victim advocate it shows students their experiences are valued and happening. Miller will be available for two hours in the evenings from August to April when classes are in session. For some students, this doesnt seem vocate position could transition to full time but said she hopes she will be able to meet student needs during the time she has. like enough. "Obviously Im excited that were getting an advocate on campus, said Sabi Lowder, a sophomore custom major and the president of Westminsters Feminist Club. Its amazing that at least were taking steps. But it is only two hours a week, and so thats... my biggest concern is that it gets turned into, Okay, well, we did it, and it just becomes a checked box really excited that this is a step in the right direction, Miller said. It would ade be awesome if there was a vocate for sure, but I think Im going to do all I can to support students as much as they need from me. Im going to do my best to fill this really big role in two hours, and hopefully I can fit the needs of the m for administration to say that they pleased students. Lowder was a vocal proponent for victim advocate on campus. When Lowder said she felt the school wasnt making steps quickly enough to bring the resource to campus, she organized the Sexual Assault Peer Support bringing a full-tim- e Network to train students as support for survivors. Lowder served on the hiring committee for the victim advocate and said she is excited about Millers appointment, call- ing her approachable. Miller said- she wasnt comfortable speculating about whether the victim ad Im full-tim- students. The victim advocate position is not a wholly confidential resource. According email, Miller will to Schwartz-Johnsobe required to provide the Title IX office with basic information to help track patterns of sexual or interpersonal violence on and off campus, evaluate the scope of the problem, and formulate appropriate ns responses. However, she will not have to share information that would directly or indirectly identify the survivor or other parties involved. Students can schedule a one-hoappointment with Miller by emailing campus-wid- e ur |