FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 24, 2018
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SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Legal Aid of Arkansas has entered a new partnership with the Office of Support, Training, Advocacy, and Resources (STAR Central) at the University of Arkansas to provide student survivors of sexual violence with access to legal advice and victim-centered advocacy. The new program, called Sexual Assault Resources and Help, or SARAH, begins this week.
STAR Central, an office in Pat Walker Health Center Wellness & Health Promotion Department, addresses the issues of sexual assault and relationship violence through the provision of awareness campaigns, education programs and victim advocacy services.
Legal Aid is working with STAR Central’s Director, Dr. Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert. Wyandt-Hiebert has over 20 years of professional experience in sexual violence prevention and victim advocacy. She recently co-chaired both the American College Health Association’s Campus Safety and Violence Coalition and the Protecting Students from Sexual Assault Task Force.
SARAH will provide a confidential, victim-centered, trauma-informed help desk where a victim/survivor may visit free of charge and learn about available resources, options and general legal remedies. The purpose of the SARAH program will be to provide comprehensive support and advocacy, including legal services when necessary, to student survivors of sexual violence.
The walk-in help desk will be available every Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. at the Wellness Center in the Garland Parking Complex.
For more information, please call or email Spencer Bowling at 870-972-9224 ext. 4312 or sbowling@arlegalaid.org. To reach Dr. Wyandt-Hiebert, email survivor@uark.edu. For more information on STAR Central and the RESPECT program at the University of Arkansas, visit respect.uark.edu.
Legal Aid is a nonprofit, public interest law firm that provides free legal services to low-income Arkansans with civil legal problems across 31 counties. To apply for assistance or for more information, call 800-952-9243 or visit ARLegalAid.org.
