Michigan State University Upgrades Its Services for Victims of Sexual Assault

The Michigan State University Sexual Assault Program (SAP) added a web-based Crisis Chat to its resources for victims of sexual assault. The new feature will provide an additional avenue for students to receive support, information, and resources. It can be accessed through the SAP website where volunteers who have been trained to support and direct survivors to helpful resources will be available for live chat seven days a week.

The director of SAP, Tana Fedewa, stated that “while researching ways to reach students and encourage them to seek help, we discovered that the chat function may appeal to international students, those who feel marginalized and vulnerable, and survivors who have never spoken to anyone about their sexual assault experience.”

Tana Fedewa holds a master’s degree in clinical social work from Michigan State University.