Office of Confidential Advocacy, Support and Education
We provide confidential advocacy to assist victim-survivors of interpersonal violence and serve as a liaison between the University and local resource groups. Our certified campus advocates provide confidential, non-judgmental support and options to empower students to create an individualized plan for healing. Staff and peer educators also promote awareness through programming and provide education for students, faculty and staff concerning these topics.
Get Help Now
About CASE
We welcome all who may have questions or concerns, who need support and resources, and who are seeking guidance and connection. Whether you have experienced abuse, harassment, or violence in the past; whether you have had a recent experience; or whether you are concerned for a friend, we are here to listen. We hope to provide you with options and resources that help you choose your next steps and a path to healing and recovery.
CASE is open to all and does not discriminate based on race, citizenship, national origin or ethnicity, ancestry, religion or creed, political affiliation or belief, age, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability.
- Non-judgmental, welcoming, and inclusive emotional support
- Academic accommodations and support
- Accompanying students to Student Health Center and Baptist Memorial Health Center for medical care, evidence collection, and STI testing
- Safe rooms
- Survivor Fund for those impacted financially
- Change in campus housing and dining locations
- Assistance in finding alternative housing
- Assistance in arranging for alternative university employment and changing work schedules
- A “no contact” directive through our Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct office
- Providing an escort to ensure that the student can move safely between school programs and activities
- Parking arrangements to ensure safety and access to other services
- Assistance identifying and securing additional resources or assistance, including off-campus support and services
The University of Mississippi is committed to supporting student survivors of sexual misconduct (defined by UM policy as sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking). UM policies and Title IX legislation give student survivors the right to seek assistance from campus, which CASE confidential advocates help provide.
The Survivor Fund provides modest financial support to cover unexpected, short-term, emergency expenses, such as those related to health and safety needs or to court filing fees. The fund is not intended to cover ongoing expenses like room and board or food, and in most cases, it cannot cover tuition and fees. Student survivors do not need to be engaged in an official reporting process to seek funds, but must be currently enrolled.
Staff from CASE, UMatter, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Regulatory Compliance, University Counseling Center, Psychological Services Center, and Student Health Center can forward student requests for support. Not all of these offices are confidential, so students wishing to confidentially request help should work with a CASE advocate.
In 2021 the Family Leadership Council pledged to support the fund through a generous one-time donation. You can support this fund by donating here.
To apply for assistance, please scan, email, or print and return the form to Shelli Poole at sapoole@olemiss.edu or 309 Longstreet Hall.
We can also help students access outside resources, such as these:
- University Police Department: (662) 915-7234
- Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi: (662) 232-8100
- Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi: (662) 234-9929
-
Intimate Partner Violence
Relationship violence, or domestic violence, includes any number of behaviors used by one person to control another in a current or former relationship.
Resources for intimate partner violence -
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is any sexual contact without the consent of the other person, including touching, penetration by an object, or sexual intercourse.
Resources for sexual assault -
Stalking and Cyberstalking
Stalking is any willful and repeated action that would cause a reasonable person to feel harassed, frightened or intimidated. While many people believe that stalkers are harmless and best left alone, stalking is a very serious crime that can often escalate to physical violence and/or sexual assault.
Resources for stalking and cyberstalking -
Predatory Drugs
Substances like drugs and alcohol play a role in many sexual assaults. Sexual contact with someone who is impaired by alcohol and/or drugs – and is therefore unable to consent – is rape.
Resources on predatory drugs -
Myths and Facts
These resources help students better understand the realities of sexual assault, helping them support victims and foster a safe campus culture.
Learn more about myths and facts
Supporting a Positive Campus Culture
This student group works to raise awareness about sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking while also supporting survivors from all walks of life. Email umrasa@go.olemiss.edu to join the organization’s mailing list.
Engage on social media! Follow RASA – Rallying Against Sexual Assault on Instagram.
We encourage our community to engage in bystander intervention to prevent power-based violence before it happens. To learn more, check out this video and the steps below.
Direct
- Check in with a person who looks like he or she needs assistance.
- Call a friend in a new relationship when you have not heard from him or her in a while.
- If you see someone who has had too much to drink, get her or him safely home using a designated driver, rideshare or taxi.
Distract
- Spill a drink or call attention to yourself.
- Tell the person his or her car is getting ticketed or towed.
- Ask one or both of the people to go somewhere else with you safely.
Delegate
- If you fear for your safety or someone else’s, call the University Police Department or the Oxford Police Department.
- Have security at the bar or party check in on someone you do not know when you are concerned.
- In a residence hall, call your Community Assistant to intervene.
Counseling Resources
- The Counseling Center is located in Lester Hall and accepts walk-in appointments on a first come, first serve basis from 10 am to 4 pm Mondays through Fridays.
- Call them at (662) 915-3784 for 24/7 after-hours support.
- The Clinic for Outreach and Personal Enrichment (COPE) serves as the training clinic for the counselor education program at the University of Mississippi. Under the supervision of state licensed counselors, the interns in the clinic provide free mental health care both in person and via telehealth.
- They are open Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm and Friday by appointment only at 2301 S Lamar Blvd. They can be reached at (662) 915-7197.
- If you either do not have insurance or want to remain confidential and not have to send personal information to your insurance company, the Psychological Services Center offers a very affordable sliding scale based on your income and life situation.
- Find them at 382 Kinard Hall or call them at (662) 915-1396.
Anderson Family Counseling, LLC
- 2690 W Oxford Loop Suite 146
- 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday
Poole Counseling Services, LLC
- 2690 W Oxford Loop Suite 146
- (662) 304-8639
- By appointment only
Family Crisis Center of Northwest Mississippi
- 503 Heritage Dr.
- Office: (662) 234-9929
- 24-hour crisis hotline: 1-800-230-9929