frequently asked questions

When is the VIP Center open?

9-5 Monday-Friday

What do I do if myself or someone I know needs to talk about what happened to them?

Come by VIP anytime 9-5, M-F to speak confidentially with a staff person. There is no cost. You can share as little or as much as you want and we will help you explore options and resources.

If you need to speak to someone right away when we are not open, here are a few places you could call:
Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center , 24 hour line, 1-800-656-HOPE
Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program, 24 hour line, 1-800-544-2022
UK Police Dept, #UKPD or 257-1616

I want to get involved with VIP. Where should I start?

Check out our volunteer page!

Are guys involved with your mission at VIP?

Absolutely! In fact, we depend on the men of this campus to be a part of the solution…we can’t do it without them. Stop by the VIP Center to meet some male volunteers and to hear about the ways they are contributing.

Where is VIP located?

Lower level, Frazee Hall

What if I want to get involved AND I need class credit?>

Consider taking our EXP 396 course (Social Justice &Violence Prevention: A Model for Change) for 1 or 3 credits. Join us as we explore models of social change and specifically study the Green Dot model used here at UK. The experience includes stimulating reading and discussion, special speakers, field trips, videos, and practical application. You will also have the opportunity to critically reflect on your own unique contribution to this movement.

What if I’m in a position at UK (RA, student organization, campus ministry, Student Gov’t) and I want to work with VIP?

Great idea! Email Sally Evans or stop by the VIP Center so we can talk with you specifically about combining forces!

I am a faculty or staff member here at UK and I’m concerned about a student. What should I do?

You can contact VIP’s victim advocate Jill Smith by phone (257-3574) or email Jill Smith or stop by during regular business hours. Jill can provide you with helpful resources and information or talk through strategies for reaching out to the student you’re concerned about.

What can I expect when walking in to the VIP Center for the first time?

People come to the VIP Center for the first time for many reasons. Many are wanting to get involved or learn more about us, and others walk in because they or someone they care about has been hurt by power based personal violence. No matter your reason for walking in, expected to be warmly greeted and immediately connected to the resources you are seeking.

I’d like to talk to someone about what has happened to me. What will happen next?

Each person will be the guide to the services they receive. We won’t press for details, force you to make a police report or guide you towards any services you don’t want. We will do whatever is necessary to provide you with the support you need.

Do I need an appointment?

No appointments are necessary. Come by any time M-F 9 – 5 to speak with a staff person.

Who will I be speaking to?

Our primary victim advocate is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 7 years experience in power based personal violence. All other staff members are also trained advocates and are full time staff members, not students.

My friend has been hurt and I don’t know what to say to her/him.

If you say nothing else, let them know you believe them, that it isn’t their fault and that you are so glad they shared this with you. If possible, share VIP’s number and suggest they stop by for more support.

Does the VIP Center address ALL types of violence?

While we can certainly connect any student to the resources we have available at UK, we deal with what we call Power-based Personal Violence, which can include sexual assault, rape, stalking, and partner violence.

What is VIP’s space used for?

Our welcoming space, located in the basement of Frazee Hall, is a hub for where education meets action. Students stop by to fill up on knowledge by going through different sections of the Circuit, as they learn the potential power of a bystander and the specific role they play in prevention. Others might stop by to talk to a VIP staff person to share their recent Green Dot experience. There are often different VIP-related programs that take place in our space. The Center also houses all the staff offices, as well as serving as a place where students, faculty, staff can seek confidential services.

3. Who can come to the VIP Center?

All students, faculty, staff from all backgrounds who want to learn the ropes of being a proactive bystander and how to spread green dots is welcome to stop in at any time M-F, 9-5 to learn how to get involved. We also provide free and confidential services to anyone in the UK community who has been a victim, and/or those who want to find out how to help a friend or family member connected to this issue.

What can I expect when walking in to the VIP Center for the first time?

Expect to be wowed! One of our VIP staff will greet you within seconds of walking in, eager to see what brought you to us. We’ll give you a quick tour, tell you all about the VIP Center, and get you connected with whatever you're looking for We have a great space conducive to creating social change and we love showing it off.

Defining what looks high-risk seems tricky. How can I determine what could be potentially dangerous requiring someone to intervene?

It’s true that much of what we talk about does in fact look ambiguous. It is because of this that we offer trainings to help give students more contexts to look out for, as well as tools and tactics to use when it’s necessary to intervene. When in doubt, check it out! (catchy, huh?)

How can I be in the know about VIP programs, events, trainings?

Join our listserv , Facebook page, Big Blue Network page, check out our calendar of events page.

8. I want to get involved – what is my first step?

Contact Sally Evans, or check out our volunteer opportunities.

9. I’m an extremely busy, over-committed student, faculty or staff, but I really want to make a difference. Is there something I can do?

Of course! Whether you have 5 minutes or 50 hours, you can certainly help. Check out Green Dots you could do today without ever stepping foot in our space. Our in-house circuit training might be perfect for you. It’s a 5-hour program that is done at your pace, on your time (as long as your time is M-F, 9-5 that is), and will teach you everything you needed to know about Green Dots you can contribute to this campus. Green Dot opps can occur at any hour of any day, so all you have to do is be prepared to create Green Dots.

I want to go to SEEDS, but I can’t commit to Oct 17. Is there something I can still do to get educated?

We offer to you The Circuit, our in-house version of SEEDS that is available on our laptops, done at your own pace, all within the VIP Center. Come in and get trained and join the hundreds of our students who have committed to making a difference at UK surrounding their intolerance of power-based personal violence.

So what IS the Green Dot?

Green dot represents any single moment in time where a person chooses to state his or her intolerance of power-based personal violence through words, choices, or actions. With enough people spreading enough Green Dots, we can combat the violence, or Red Dots on this campus. Through everyone’s help, UK can become the safest university in the country when it comes to power-based personal violence.

I’m an RA and would like to do a VIP-related program. Can you help?

We can offer 3 options:
1. Schedule a time to bring your hall to the VIP Center to take a tour, get connected to the circuit, and learn everything VIP is all about.
2. Bring your hall to the SEEDS training October 17th
3. Make a VIP-inspired bulletin board with plenty of Green Dot statements for the week of your campus neighborhood’s Fall Festival. Bring your hall to VIP’s table to learn everything about the VIP Center.

What does the VIP Center do?

Provide services to those affected by violence and prevent violence through intervention and prevention strategies.

What can I do to help out? what do volunteers do there?

Whatever your heart desires, from helping with daily office work, to writing an article in the kernel, to performing in a play. most importantly, we want volunteers to live the green dot and to prevent violence in their daily lives, like by watching out for friends while out.