The YWCA Oklahoma City and the University of Central Oklahoma Women's Research Center, BGLTQ+ Student Center and the women's, gender and sexuality studies program are partnering to broaden access to advocacy for those impacted by sexual assault, stalking and domestic violence.
Through the partnership, Central students will receive Oklahoma attorney general certified crisis services training through the YWCA OKC to provide sexual assault, stalking and domestic violence advocacy for internship credit. This will enable students to advocate and offer support at the YWCA OKC, as well as become a Survivor Central advocate, advocating for peers at UCO and the larger community through UCO’s Center and women's, gender and sexuality studies program.
"This partnership will provide UCO students with access to services and training that will expand the resources of both the Women's Research Center and the BGLTQ+ Student Center," said Lindsey Churchill, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Liberal Arts at UCO, director of the Women's Research Center, BGLTQ+ Student Center and women's, gender and sexuality program.
"These resources will provide crisis intervention and safety planning to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking for free. All services offered are voluntary and confidential."
YWCA OKC will provide advocacy at the Center on Central's campus, located in Thatcher Hall, Room 106. The Center serves as a site of information, research, grant funding and advocacy for issues regarding women, gender and sexuality. The Center also acts as a resource for the BGLTQ+ community, a community meeting place and an educational resource.
Students interested in participating in the program should contact Churchill at lchurchill@uco.edu or Kenzi Lockwood, YWCA campus advocacy coordinator at klockwood@ywcaokc.org.
For more information about the Center at UCO, visit www.uco.edu/academic-affairs/thecenter.