How and When to Report
If you have experienced sexual violence, there are a number of ways to report the incident, and multiple channels for obtaining information, assistance and support to ensure your health and safety, both physical and emotional.
Counseling
To support our community of students, faculty and staff, Webster University offers resources through the Counseling and Life Development Office. If you are experiencing personal issues, please know that we are here to help. For support, call the office at 314-968-7030 or visit the Counseling and Life Development page.
Training
The Title IX Office offers annual trainings for new students, faculty, and staff. As part of Webster’s commitment to providing a harassment free learning environment, all new students will need to complete an online sexual harassment awareness and training course. This course provides students with information on University resources and presents bystander intervention techniques. Undergraduate and Graduate Students will receive email communications with information to access the training.
New undergraduate students who enroll in Webster will automatically be enrolled in the course approximately one week after classes commence for the term.
All new graduate students are required to complete a similar non-credit, online course. New graduate students will automatically be enrolled in the graduate student version of the course approximately one week after classes begin for the term in which they join the Webster community.
Additional programming opportunities will be provided at the Webster Groves campus.
Responsibilities
All Webster University employees are required to complete the annual SafeColleges Title IX Training. The training takes about 30 minutes to complete. You will receive an invitation to participate in the SafeColleges Training through an email communication. Questions may be directed to titleix@webster.edu. There is also more information about reporting to responsible employees in our policy.
Training Sessions
In addition to the annual online training through SafeColleges, the Title IX team offers personalized training sessions for faculty and staff. If you are interested in scheduling a training session, please submit a scheduling request or email titleixtraining@webster.edu for more details.*
*Scheduling requests should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the requested training date.
Counseling
To support our community of students, faculty, and staff, Webster University offers resources through the Counseling and Life Development Office. If you are experiencing personal issues, please know that we are here to help. For support, call the office at 314-968-7030 or visit the webpage at:
ALIVE
ALIVE is an acronym for Alternatives to Living In Violent Environments. It offers counseling, emergency shelter, and other critical services to domestic abuse survivors and their children. A 24-hour crisis line is available by calling their toll-free phone number at 800-941-9144. You may also visit ALIVE's website for more information:
Bridgeway Women's Center
Bridgeway Women's Center is a domestic violence service near St. Charles, MO providing help for people dealing with domestic abuse. A 24-hour crisis line is available by calling 636-244-1800 or toll-free at 877-946-6854.
Domestic Violence Drug Rehab Facilities in the St. Louis Area
Find drug rehab facilities that specialize in working with victims of domestic violence.
Helping Survivors
Helping Survivors is an online organization comprised of concerned citizens, survivors and professionals working to ensure the right of every person to build a life free from the devastating consequences of sexual assault and abuse. The Helping Survivors team advocates for survivors by providing the tools and assistance needed for them to work through emotional and psychological layers to reclaim a sense of peace. The website provides articles about managing feelings, recognizing side effects, support group contacts and other materials that contribute to the healing process.
Kathy J. Weinman Shelter
The Kathy J. Weinman Shelter is the only domestic violence shelter in St. Louis County. The Shelter is a 39-bed facility that is managed and operated by St. Louis County government. The Shelter offers safe and confidential housing for women and their children who have experienced domestic violence. The 24-hour phone number is 314-423-1117.
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri represents people in orders of protection, divorce, custody, and paternity cases. Since 1956, LSEM has provided free legal help for more than one million low-income individuals/families with civil issues impacting housing, family law, public benefits, consumer fraud, health care, children’s well-being, special education and relief from domestic violence. Call 314-534-4200.
Life Source Consultants, Inc.
Life Source Consultants, Inc. is a domestic and sexual violence crisis center that helps physically and emotionally scarred individuals, regardless of age, ability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, circumstance, or race. Provides counseling and other support services for women who are victims of domestic and/or sexual violence. Call 24-hours a day at 314-524-4130.
Love is Respect
Love is Respect was the first 24-hour resource for teens who were experiencing dating
violence and abuse and is the only teen helpline serving all of the United States
and its territories. Highly-trained advocates offer support, information and advocacy
to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships. We
also provide information and support to concerned friends and family members, teachers,
counselors, service providers and members of law enforcement. Free and confidential
phone, live chat and texting services are available 24/7/365.
Chat at www.loveisrespect.org
Text LOVEIS to 22522
Call 866-331-9474
Metro Trans Umbrella Group
The St. Louis-based organization keep a list of LGBTQ+ affirming medical practitioners and therapists.
Money Geek
Mustering the courage to leave an abusive relationship is a process in itself. Overcoming the final barriers — emotional and logistical — to actually leaving is still a major step. Planning and preparing can be antidotes to fear, but even if you have to leave suddenly, there are ways to make the departure less wrenching.
Find financial help for women in abusive relationships:
Pregnant on Campus
Being a parent and a student is difficult but possible. Whether you are pregnant or parenting, you do not have to sacrifice your educational and personal goals! This website is designed for you — the pregnant or parenting student.You are not alone. We’re here to help.
RAINN
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. There is a hotline available at 800-656-4673. For more information and online support, visit the website:
Safe Connections
This agency offers a 24-hour crisis helpline, individual therapy, prevention education, classes, workshops and social groups. To call the hotline, dial 314-531-2003. Get more information and online support:
St. Louis Queer Support Helpline
LGBTQ+ people can talk with a trained counselor.
St. Martha's Drop-In Center
Provides services and connections for women and children seeking help after abuse. Advocates are available during the drop-in hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday)
314-487-2062 (Drop-in Center)
314-5323-1313 (Shelter - St. Martha's Hall)
Sexual Assault Safety Guide for Ridesharing Customers
Those who are victims of assault while they are utilizing a rideshare company should be aware of their rights, and also the responsibility of the rideshare companies.
Sunshine Behavioral Health
Helps teens and young adults exclusively in domestic violence situations. Visit the website for more information:
Survivor Guide for Men
Though men are often conditioned to believe that they cannot be a survivor of abuse, the CDC says one in 10 men have reported they have been victims of stalking, sexual violence or physical violence. Innerbody Research offers advice and resources specifically for men.
Women and Financial Literacy
Managing money is not easy, especially when women of all ages and backgrounds juggle multiple priorities. Annuity.org offers professional insight from experienced financial experts on a variety of financial topics to help you make smart decisions about your money.
The Women's Center 24-hour Crisis Hotline
This organization offers 24-hour hotline support. To call the hotline, dial 817-927-2737. Get more information and online support.
The Women's Safe House
The Women's Safe House provides safe shelter and support services to battered women and their dependent children. All services are free and confidential. A 24-hour crisis line is available by calling 314-722-4535.
The NO MORE Project
The NO MORE Global Directory is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive international directory of domestic violence and sexual assault resources in every UN-recognized country and territory in the world.
Advisor Program
Each party is required to have an advisor whose purpose will be to provide cross-examination at the hearing. An advisor is not required to be an attorney providing legal representation to the party. No prior training or qualification is necessary for a person to serve as a provided advisor. The Title IX Office provides training to advisors prior to participating in the role. Parties retain the opportunity to select their own advisor of choice. If a party does not exercise that opportunity then Webster University will provide an advisor of the University’s own choosing, to that party, merely for the purpose of relaying the party’s cross-examination questions to the other party and witnesses so that a party never personally conducts cross-examination.
The role of the advisor is also one of emotional support. The right to an advisor is extended so that the complainant or respondent can identify someone that they want to assist them with navigating and understanding the investigation process, including providing support during each portion of the process and accompany the party to any meeting or interview that is associated with the investigation process. The advisor may not be someone who is intending to provide witness testimony to the allegations. An advisor may not speak or act on behalf of a complainant or respondent, including answering questions on their behalf; stand in for, or represent a party; disseminate by any medium or form any information shared or learned throughout the investigation process with anyone other than the complainant or respondent for whom they serve as an advisor, or the Title IX Officer; act as or represent themselves or another as an investigator for the Title IX process during the investigation process; contact a witness or other party participating in the investigation process; or impede the investigation process or act in a manner that obstructs the investigator or disrupts the investigation process.
If you are interested in being an advisor for a complainant or respondent, please email the Title IX Office at titleix@webster.edu.
Sexual Offense Advocate (University-Level)
Samantha Sipple is the Webster University Sexual Offense Advocate. She may be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week by mobile phone at 314-422-4651.
St. Louis Area Support
The Sexual Offense Advocate can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week by mobile phone at 314-422-4651, through Public Safety at 314 968-6911 or 314 968-7430, or during office hours in the Counseling and Life Development Office at 314-968-7030.
Additional phone resources:
- YWCA: 314-726-6665
- Health Services: 314-246-4207
- St. Mary's Hospital: 314-768-8000
- Safe Connections: 314-531-2003
- St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Victim's Services Division: 314-615-4872
- St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Victim Services: 314-622-4373
- St. Louis County Law Enforcement: 314-889-2341
- St. Louis City Law Enforcement: 314-231-1212
- Webster University Public Safety Emergency Number: 314-968-6911
- Webster University Non-Emergency Number: 314-968-7430
- Webster University Title IX Coordinator: 314-246-7780
- ALIVE 24-Hour Crisis Line St. Louis: 314-993-2777
- St. Louis Men's Clinic: 314-942-8880
- MO Safe at Home: 866-509-1409
Webster IX
This club brings awareness to the Webster community about domestic violence, sexual violence and gender-based violence.
The Title IX Office has many plans for the academic year to bring interesting programming and education, and ally support to survivors of sexual or gender-based violence. If you are interested in learning more or joining, please contact Deputy Title IX and HR Coordinator, Lori Watson, at titleix@webster.edu.
Helpful Links:
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF opens in new tab)
- U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System (opens in new tab)
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut Street, Suite 320
Kansas City, MO 64106
816-268-0550
OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov
Fax: 816-268-0559
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline:
800-421-3481
OCR@ed.gov
Fax: 202-453-6012
TTY: 800-877-8339
Office for Civil Rights Website
Abortion Provider
Services include information on types of abortion services, information on laws by state, telehealth information, directory of safe and verified health care providers, including abortion access.
Reproductive Health Service of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, Fairview Heights, Illinois
Services include abortion (up to 26 weeks), medication/pill abortion (up to 11 weeks), telehealth for medication/pill abortion (up to 11 weeks), birth control, condoms, STI testing, emergency contraception and gender-affirming care. Phone number: 618-277-6668
Hope Clinic for Women, Granite City, Illinois
Services include abortion (under 16 weeks), abortion (16-24 weeks), medication/pill abortion (up to 11 weeks), emergency contraception, STI testing, pregnancy testing, free condoms, birth control and counseling. Phone number: 618-451-5722. Emergency/after-hours phone number: 618-346-3040.
Transportation, Lodging and Financial Assistance
- Brigid Alliance (opens in new tab)
- The Brigid Alliance is a nationwide organization that provides practical and travel support to people who must travel long distances for abortion care later in pregnancy. Note: If you would like to request their services, please ask the provider or abortion fund you are working with to refer you.
- Indigenous Women Rising (opens in new tab)
- Indigenous Women Rising helps fund abortions in the United States and Canada for indigenous people. To use this funding, you must be able to prove membership to a tribal community.
- Phone or text: 505-398-1900.
- MidWest Access Coalition (opens in new tab)
- Services include assistance with travel costs, lodging, food, childcare, medicine and emotional support.
- Phone number: 847-750-6224
- Missouri Abortion Fund (opens in new tab)
- This organization offers financial assistance to any Missouri resident who cannot afford an abortion. Missouri Abortion Fund works directly with their partner clinics. When scheduling your appointment, ask about assistance from MoAF.
- National Abortion Federation (opens in new tab)
- NAF provides information on how to access abortion across the country. In addition, patients may be able to receive financial support to pay for their abortion. It is legal to travel out of state to get an abortion, and if you qualify, NAF can help cover the cost of your travel.
- Hotline: 800-772-9100
- Hotline hours: Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. CT; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. CT
- National Network of Abortion Funds (opens in new tab)
- NNAF organizes abortion funds and practical support organizations across the country to aid abortion-seekers.
- The Regional Logistics Center (opens in new tab)
- Services include assistance with travel arrangements and lodging, assistance with access to financial resources and other practical support needs.
- Phone number: 618-607-5080
- Right By You (opens in new tab)
- Services include text chat line that advises Missouri youth who are seeking help with accessing information about abortion, adoption or parenting.
- Text number: 855-458-0886
- Textline hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. CT; Wednesday and Friday 3 p.m.-6 p.m. CT
- Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (opens in new tab)
- WRRAP provides abortion funding for women across the country at certain provider locations. In addition to abortion funding, WRRAP also provides emergency contraception.
Red Card
Following the 2019 Women’s World Cup, several women’s soccer teams publicly spotlighted that many girls are denied opportunities due to gender discrimination. In soccer, a red card is used to call out unfair practices or bad behavior on the field. The Red Card Pledge was created to bring attention to discrimination and violence against women.
Webster University takes part in this campaign by encouraging all members of our global campus community to take the Red Card Pledge to raise awareness and recognize the importance of gender equality and equal rights for girls.
Join us in ending discrimination and violence against girls - take the Red Card Pledge today (opens in new tab).