Evaluation of Campus-Based Advocacy Services

The Evaluation of Campus-Based Advocacy Services, funded by the Criminal Justice Division of the Office of the Governor, is a collaboration between The University of Texas Medical Branch Center for Violence Prevention, The University of Texas at Arlington, and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. This project is a multisite program examining the process, implementation, delivery and outcomes of advocacy services on college campuses in Texas. Advocacy is a form of direct service built on empowerment and strengths theories that emphasize safety, support, and promote healing. Campus advocacy services typically include confidential, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive support and linkage to campus and community resources, safety planning, supportive listening, and psychoeducation around violence experiences and trauma reactions. 

The project engages UT System campuses to address a critical need for short-, medium-and long-term outcomes data for campus advocacy models, to understand the effectiveness of advocacy services and improve program implementation. This project is a continuation of a formative evaluation project. It is building upon and expanding the collection of data and articulation of service models to further enhance the efficacy of campus-based advocacy for victims of violence and the academic and well-being outcomes of Texan collegians. 

Specific project questions include: 

• What factors facilitate and hinder advocacy program implementation?
• What are the medium and long-term outcomes of advocacy services on college campuses? 
• What modifications are needed to adapt services for victims of other forms of violence (e.g., stalking, harassment, hate or property crime)? 
• What training and support strategies would stakeholders find most helpful for initiating and maintaining quality services?

For more information, contact Leila Wood at [email protected]