Safe Harbor, located in the Auburn Cares office, is an Auburn organization which supports, believes and assists students and employees who have experienced any form of sexual or relationship violence. This resource is confidential and free, regardless of when or where incidents of violence have occurred.
During the fall 2022 semester, Safe Harbor received 103 referrals for services, and this semester alone they have received 71 referrals. However, Safe Harbor Coordinator Carrie Rose suggests that this office is an undervalued resource.
“When you look at the statistics of how sexual violence impacts students, one in five women in college experience sexual violence and 13% of all undergraduate and graduate students experience sexual violence,” said Rose.
Rose explained that the number of students reaching out to Safe Harbor does not line up with those statistics and she expressed her desire for students to know they can get help.
“It’s my goal in this position to become more known and more accessible to students and employees,” Rose said.
Rose expressed that she wants people to know that the Safe Harbor staff are trained to help students and employees who have experienced any form of sexual or relationship violence. However, she also states that their assistance goes beyond a typical abusive situation.
“If a person is experiencing dating or domestic violence–and that doesn’t just have to be physical abuse or sexual abuse, it can also be emotional abuse–someone can reach out to us,” Rose said.
Students can also receive support from Safe Harbor if they want to simply improve their relationships. Whether there is a gap in communication or unhealthy reliance on a partner, Rose expressed that she wants to help show students what a healthy relationship should look like.
While Rose used the word students in her hypotheticals, she wants Auburn University employees to know that Safe Harbor is a resource available for them as well. Furthermore, she wants people to know that violence does not have to occur on campus for support to be provided.
“If you’ve experienced something growing up that you’ve never reached out to anyone about, we do help people who have experienced traumatic abuse in the past,” Rose said. “We can help students who’ve experienced sexual harassment. We help students who are being stalked, we help students who have been drugged. Students can come in for any of these things.”
Students and employees can self refer for services, or they can be referred by someone else. Following a referral, Rose states that Safe Harbor conducts an intake meeting where people can be listened to in a non judgmental space. Students can get help as they navigate various reporting options from Title IX to filing a police report.
“We can support people through the criminal justice process. We can also help students learn about their different legal options and get connected with an attorney,” Rose said.
Other services the organization provides includes temporary safe housing, academic assistance and accompaniment to medical exams. Regardless of what a student chooses to do, Rose states that Safe Harbor is there to support their choice.
Auburn University’s Title IX office was recently criticized by a student who felt officials mishandled their investigation and minimized their trauma. According to Rose, Safe Harbor can provide valuable support and knowledge for students going through the complicated Title IX process.
“The difference between our offices is that Title IX isn’t confidential and we are a confidential resource. If students come to us, we can always explain all their options through the Title IX process,” Rose said.
While Safe Harbor staff members cannot serve as advisors through this process due to their confidentiality, students are entitled to have a support person throughout the whole process. According to Rose, Safe Harbor’s advocacy is important for students who have not gone through the Title IX process before.
“Title IX can be a really complicated process. We can help students understand what’s going on and understand their options and feel emotionally supported and not alone,” Rose said.
Safe Harbor is available to support people in whatever manner is needed. Referrals for Safe Harbor can be made online at their website. For students or employees who need immediate assistance, Safe Harbor can be reached through their 24/7 crisis phone number, 334-884-7233.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Davis Brasfield, senior in psychology, is a news writer at The Auburn Plainsman.
