How to Support a Friend
Four ways you can support a friend who has experienced sexual assault or abuse:
- Listen without judgment and affirm
- Ask “How do I best support you right now?” or “What do you want to do?”
- Connect them to confidential support and offer to go with them
- It’s important to not push or coerce a friend into a decision or action before they’re ready
Online/Mobile Resources
If you are experiencing an emergency...
Call Berry College Campus Police if you are on-campus (706.236.2262), call 911 if you are off-campus, or go to the nearest emergency room (Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center or Advent Health Redmond Medical Center if you are in the Rome area).
Support
Sexual Assault Center of North West Georgia: https://www.sacnwga.org/
Hospitality House: https://www.hospitalityhouseforwomen.org/
Victim Connect: https://victimconnect.org/
Mental Health
Crisis Text Line - Text: HELLO to 741-741
Trevor Project Lifeline (for LGBTQ+ students) - 1-866-488-7386
Steve Fund (for BIPOC students) - Text: STEVE to 741-741
MY3 App
National Suicide Prevention Life Line - 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Depression Hotline - 888-273-5174
Self-Harm Hotline - 877-455-0628
FAQs
If you are considering reporting but have concerns or reservations, you can Ashley Demonbreun-Chapman (ademonbreunchapman@berry.edu). This can help you determine the best next steps for considering on-campus reporting options.
If you know you would like to report and feel supported and ready, you can do so online here.
There will be multiple people to choose from. Ashley is the head of the department, but she will also have multiple confidential student workers to choose from as well.
Under Berry’s website, there is a Title IX page with resources for on and off campus.
Yes, the entire BRAVE team is a confidential resource.
Listen to them, offer support and, if you’re comfortable with it, offer to accompany them when they go to report what happened.
If required, call 911 immediately. Alternatively, you can call the Berry gatehouse (706-236-2262) if you are on campus. On Berry’s website, under the Title XI page, there is a report tab, where you can describe everything that happened. If you are unsure about reporting or would like to disclose the information confidentially first, reach out to BRAVE.