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Support for Survivors

Support for Survivors

CARE advocates are available to support people directly and indirectly impacted by interpersonal violence. Learn more about how we are here to support you.

A Message From Our Director

My name is Jen August and I am the Director of the CARE program at UNC Wilmington. As the campus resource for victim support and advocacy, we offer confidential consultations, information, and emotional support. Ultimately, we are here to be your ally.

The most important aspect of our job is to offer compassion and empathy to the people with whom we work. What happened to you is not your fault; no one deserves to be abused or assaulted! Our goal is to work with you to examine what has happened and work towards resolutions that are right for you. You are the expert of your life and your situation and while we can help you examine options, we want to support you in making decisions that work best for you.

Support provided by an advocate could include:

  • Confidential crisis counseling, emotional support, and/or consultations
  • Safety planning
  • Medical advocacy/accompaniment (for evidence collection and/or preventative medications)
  • Accompaniment to court (including criminal court or protective order applications/hearings) 
  • Accompaniment to Title IX reporting and interviews 

UNC Wilmington has Gender-Based/Sexual Misconduct Policies in place to address acts of gender-based or sexual misconduct policy violations and increase the safety of the campus. This policy states that all staff and faculty, including RAs, are mandated to notify the Title IX Office of incidents of sexual misconduct, relationship abuse, and stalking. 

There are three offices that are able to maintain confidentiality and are not mandated to submit Title IX Sexual misconduct reports. They are: 

  • Abrons Student Health Center
  • Counseling Center
  • CARE Office

Advocacy appointments can be in person or virtual and advocates can respond 24/7 in person to any hospital/medical center or to any law enforcement interviews. Please don’t hesitate to contact a confidential advocate via our hotline at 910-512-4821.

Sincerely,
Jen August,
CARE Director

Whether you yourself have experienced interpersonal violence, or are supporting somebody else who has, self care can be beneficial to your healing. 

Ways to Practice Self Care

After experiencing an incident of interpersonal violence, prioritizing your well-being can be an essential part of the healing process. Here are some ideas for self-care that can support your mental, emotional, and physical health.

  • Practice Mindfulness

    Options for practicing mindfulness include breathing exercises and mindful walks. Mindfulness techniques can help ground you in the present, give you a sense of calm, and reduce anxiety.

    Helpful Resources: 

    • Video:
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  • Boundaries that are clear and communicated to others can be a helpful way to protect your emotional well-being. Establishing boundaries around how much of your experience you share and to whom can be empowering. You may also want to consider what your physical, time and emotional boundaries might look like now. 

    Helpful Resources: 

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  • Whether you lean on friends, family, support groups, or other trusted individuals, having support from those who can provide emotional reinforcement and understanding can be helpful. Isolation can be a common tactic used in interpersonal violence, or an effect of being in a difficult situation, so sometimes you may be building or rebuilding your support system.

  • An advocate can help connect you to the counseling center or community-based therapist for professional support including individual therapy and/or support groups. You may also want to engage in therapeutic practices such as journal, writing, art, dance, etc. to aid or supplement the professional support. These practices can promote self-discovery and emotional release.

  • Pay attention to your physical health as it is connected to your overall well-being. Incorporating nourishing food, exercise, and a good sleep routine can help sustain your healing efforts. There are offices on campus such as Health Promotion and the Campus Recreation team that can assist with developing or maintaining physical wellness.

    Helpful Resources: 

  • Developing a routine can help provide stability and structure when everything else around you may feel unsafe or unstable. A routine can also help restore your sense of control and provide a foundation for healing.  

    Helpful Resources:

    •  Website:
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  • Healing is not a linear process. Knowledge about topics like interpersonal violence, trauma and its effects, and the healing process can be crucial to informing your self-care approach and understanding your emotions.  

    Helpful Resources: 

    • Website:
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    • Video:
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