ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center will expand its advocacy and crisis support services to clients.

Beyond SAPAC’s existing in-person meetings, peer-led support group and crisis hotline, Advocate Chat is an online, real-time communication tool that allows U-M students, staff and faculty to contact trained advocates via the Internet.

Advocate Chat is modeled after national online chat programs for sexual assault, teen dating violence and suicide prevention. Individuals can connect with trained advocates in a confidential environment for information about sexual assault, interpersonal violence, stalking and sexual harassment, as well as emotional support. Students, staff and faculty may log in to the Advocate Chat using their university passwords and be connected to an advocate. No identifying information will be visible to the advocate during a chat session.

“It can be hard for people to talk about personal things out loud, so it’s great that they’ll be able to type it out instead,” said James McNulty, an undergraduate student.

Pilot-tested over the fall semester, the service was officially launched this month. It was developed in collaboration with SAPAC staff, graduate students interns and Student Life Technology Services. Advocate Chat was created as an effort to increase the accessibility of SAPAC advocates and services to students and staff and provide live, interactive resources in a technology platform commonly used by 18-to-24-year-olds.

Advocate Chat is available winter semester during SAPAC’s office hours, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. SAPAC advocates can be also be accessed by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (734) 936-3333.

Related Link:

• Information on SAPAC and its services: www.sapac.umich.edu.