Respect Rolls at the Women and Gender Resource Center

At The University of Alabama, #RespectRollsHere.

Through numerous campus resources and opportunities, every member of the UA community can uphold the value of respect and do their part to keep our campus safe. One of these critical resources is UA’s Women and Gender Resource Center.

“We’re here to serve students, faculty and staff, but we’re also committed to continually fostering a safe, inclusive campus environment,” said Peer Coordinator Anna Russell. “We want everyone to know that we offer support to campus community members dealing with interpersonal violence, sexual assault or abuse, regardless of gender. People may not make the connection about what we do at the WGRC until they attend a seminar or meet with us.”

Located in the South Lawn Office Building, 1101 Jackson Ave., the WGRC offers counseling services, advocacy and outreach programs, including the Safe Sisters program, Harbor training and more.

“One of our main goals is to provide free voluntary, confidential therapy and services to those who need it,” Russell said. “But we also provide leadership training, seminars and advocacy.”

Counseling and Advocacy

All UA faculty, staff and students, regardless of gender, who are victims/survivors of interpersonal violence can seek free counseling and advocacy. Services are also available to family and friends who have been impacted by the abuse, to Shelton State Community College students, and to anyone who is victimized on The University of Alabama campus.

Services include: emotional support while at the hospital or Tuscaloosa SAFE Center; crisis counseling; planning for physical and emotional safety; finding safe housing; support group information; helping with missed classes and exams while also exploring legal and judicial options; information and referrals; and help with applying for funds for costs as a result of being a victim/survivor.

Programs and Resources

Harbor training, a series of training initiatives, is offered by the WGRC to University faculty and staff. The training supplies several tools to create a safe, respectful environment as well as training on how to diffuse situations.

The WGRC also offers salary negotiation workshops, a faculty/staff book club and other resources to help campus community members.

“We are really just an equity center,” Russell said. “We also embrace inclusivity overall, which is part of our mission.”

Getting Involved

There are many ways to get involved with the WGRC, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. WGRC’s Action Team has a monthly advocacy event on campus. In the fall, the Division of Student Life hosted a gender affirmation clothing drive where boxes were set up across campus to collect clothing for those in need.

The Safe Sisters program consists of Greek Peer Educators from sorority groups across campus. Safe Sisters are trained by professional staff members on the issues of interpersonal violence with the goal of promoting positive bystander behavior and building safe communities.

Students can also become WGRC Ambassadors by learning from professionals on interpersonal communication and then sharing information across campus.

About #RespectRollsHere

Respect Rolls Here aims to foster a campus community safe from interpersonal violence. Sponsored by the Division of Student Life in partnership with the Student Government Association, the four Greek Councils, as well as campus resource partners, the campaign provides events, resources and more to the campus community.

WGRC Location:
South Lawn Office Building, 1101 Jackson Ave.

Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Contact:
205-348-5040, wgrc@ua.edu

Crisis Line Outside of Normal Hours:
UA Police
205-348-5454