Who does The SHARPP Center serve?
The SHARPP Center is a free and confidential resource for UNH faculty, staff, and students who have been impacted by interpersonal violence (sexual assault, relationship abuse, stalking, and sexual harassment), regardless of whether that experience happened during their time at UNH or not. Our services are available to individuals who have directly experienced interpersonal violence as well as the family, friends, and loved ones who are supporting them. The SHARPP Center strives to provide culturally responsive services to individuals of all identities and does not discriminate based on gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, ability status, or age. We know that interpersonal violence can impact people differently based on identity and strive to operate from intersectional, power-conscious, and empowerment-based frameworks to ensure that our services are holistically supporting individuals wherever they are.
How can The SHARPP Center help me?
Reaching out for help can be challenging and takes a lot of courage. It can be helpful to know some of the reasons why others have reached out to us for help. Please know that the below list is not exhaustive, but rather serves to provide some examples. If you are unsure, please contact us and we can explore ways we can be supportive, including connecting you to any additional or external resources.
- You had an experience that didn't feel good or was harmful, even if you aren't sure if it was assault or abuse, and want to talk with someone about it.
- You have identified your experience as assault or abuse and want to know more about the resources available without having to report it.
- You think you might want to report your experience to the school or police and want to know more about what those processes look like.
- Someone in your life has experienced interpersonal violence and you want to know more about how to help them.
- You have concerns that your friend is in an abusive relationship and want to know more about how you can help them.
Emotional Support
Emotional Support
SHARPP Center advocates are available to provide you with a non-judgmental space to discuss the ways you have been impacted and to explore your needs.
Advocates are not trained mental health providers, and the emotional support provided by SHARPP Center advocates is not the same as therapy. However, our advocates have specialized training in the dynamics of violence, the impacts this may have on individuals, and ways that brains and bodies are impacted by stress and trauma. SHARPP Center advocates are available to provide you with a non-judgmental space to discuss the ways you have been impacted by an experience of harm, to explore your needs, and identify some initial ways to cope with the ways it is currently causing distress for you. There may be times after experiencing harm when things feel overwhelming or unmanageable. This can happen in the time immediately following harm, or days, weeks, and years later. SHARPP Center advocates can provide support during these times to help you regain a sense of control by identifying emotions, needs, and supporting your coping skills. If you are seeking additional mental health support, SHARPP Center advocates can help identify and refer you to campus and community providers.
Information Sharing
Information Sharing
Advocates can use their training to share information with you to help you understand dynamics of violence/harm, systems, on and off-campus resources, and more.
Advocates can use their training to share information with you to help you understand dynamics of violence/harm, systems, on and off-campus resources, and more. We hope to provide you with relevant information to help you feel less alone and to ensure you know what options are available to support you in making the best decisions for you. Advocates can help identify options and help you explore which choices best meet your specific needs in a non-judgmental way. Each individual is encouraged to make decisions about what is best for them, and no one who contacts the SHARPP Center is required to take any options provided by the advocate.
Safety Planning
Safety Planning
Advocates can help you explore how your experience of harm has impacted your sense of safety and what strategies you may wish to take to contribute to a greater sense of safety.
Safety is a deeply personal feeling that is shaped by our identities and experiences. Safety can include a sense of security, agency and autonomy, a sense of trust in yourself, your abilities, the people around you, and the environment you’re in. Experiencing interpersonal violence can impact your sense of safety in many different ways and each person is impacted differently. SHARPP Center advocates are available to help you think about your sense of safety in different aspects of your life, including emotionally, digitally/technologically, physically, and financially. Advocates can help you explore how your experience of harm has impacted your sense of safety in these areas, and what strategies you may wish to take to contribute to a greater sense of safety. There is no one way to increase safety, and advocates are here to support you in making the choices that are right for you and your experience. 
Academic Support
Academic Support
The SHARPP Center can help you explore both numerous resources and options available to you to help address the impact of harm on your academics.
Experiencing interpersonal violence can impact many aspects of our lives, including our academic success. You may find that it is harder to concentrate during class, while doing homework or studying for a test, that you are not sleeping as well, or are having a hard time getting to class or turning work in on time. There are numerous resources and options available to you to help address the impact of harm on your academics. The SHARPP Center advocates can help you explore both short and long-term options and pursue any that feel appropriate for you. 
Resources & Referrals
Resources & Referrals
SHARPP Center advocates can provide support, resources, and information to address many concerns that you may have.
Each individual’s experience of harm and needs afterwards will be different. SHARPP Center advocates can provide support, resources, and information to address many concerns that you may have, however we often cannot address or meet every need that may arise. Our advocates are knowledgeable about other resources and offices on campus and in the local community to help support your needs and goals. Advocates can provide you with personalized referrals to resources you may not already be aware of or can help facilitate a referral to resources if you are uncertain of how to contact them.
System Navigation & Accompaniment
System Navigation & Accompaniment
SHARPP Center advocates are trained to support you if you choose to engage with formal systems like the police, courts, hospitals, or the university.
You may choose to engage with formal systems like the police, courts, hospitals, or the university. We know that these systems can be complicated and overwhelming, especially if they are unfamiliar to you! Our advocates are trained in the protocols used within these systems. They can help you know what to expect as you interact with them, as well as facilitate connections with other professionals to help meet your needs.
While accompanying you, advocates are not there to speak on your behalf. We are there to help ensure your voice is heard and your needs are communicated. Often that looks like the advocate sitting in silence while you interact with the other professional, however the advocate may also check in and see how you’re doing, ask if you need to take a break, or make sure you know what is happening and why.
Police & Criminal Process: Advocates can be present with you while you make your initial report, as well as go with you to any follow-up interviews or meetings with law enforcement or court appearances that may occur connected to this process.
Civil Court: You may be involved in civil court proceedings if you file a restraining order, or are involved in small claims, divorce, or parenting matters. Advocates can assist you in filing for a restraining order, provide support and safety planning for the outcome, and can go with you to hearings related to these matters.
Hospital: If you have experienced sexual assault, you may choose to go to the hospital for a rape kit (or the SANE exam). Advocates will be called to the hospital to be available to you throughout this process, and it is up to you whether you wish to have them in the room or not. If you choose to not have them in the room they will stay in the waiting room in case you change your mind. Undergoing a medical examination, especially one as extensive as a rape kit, can be very difficult and possibly re-traumatizing. An advocate can provide emotional support and answer questions that may come up throughout the process. The advocate is there solely for you and can help you better understand and navigate what can be an overwhelming procedure. 
UNH Administrative Processes: If you were harmed by another UNH community member, we can help you understand your options through the University and support you if you decide to pursue any of them. This often includes connecting you with the Civil Rights and Equity Office to request supportive measures or to pursue a formal university process. SHARPP Center advocates can provide information about what these processes may look like and can accompany you to meetings, interviews, and hearings. 
