• SARV Overview

The University of South Carolina's Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Response Team was established in 1999 for the purpose of providing a comprehensive and coordinated response to address issues of sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking on USC's campus. SARV strives to ensure:

• Survivors of interpersonal violence will receive quality care and options to decide how they want to proceed in handling their case
• Coordinated services are maintained and continually improved to ensure clients are informed and the likelihood of revictimization is lessened
• Violators of University policy and local, state, and federal laws are held accountable
• Safety issues are addressed and prioritized
• Effective means to educate the community and lessen the prevalence of interpersonal violence are developed
• Comprehensive risk reduction strategies are developed and enhanced on an ongoing basis

The origin of the committee dates back to a 1996 task force who met to develop the USC Relationship Violence and Stalking Policy and establish protocols for front-line departments responsible for crisis intervention. Since this initial focus, the group has broadened its focus to address risk reduction and education efforts. SARV continually seeks ways to improve our institutional response.

SARV is comprised of various staff from University offices that have a vested interest. These are offices where students may report incidents of interpersonal violence. A complete list of the campus partners is available on this site. SARV meets on a monthly basis to examine the University's response to on-going management of interpersonal violence cases, seek ways to improve prevention and community awareness, reviews national trends, and best practices.
 

SARV Goals

USC's SARV Response Team sets annual goals and develops strategies for raising community awareness to the issues surrounding interpersonal violence. The academic goals are as follows: SARV Goals (PDF Format)

SARV Membership

• Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention
• Substance Abuse Prevention Education
• Counseling and Human Development Center
• Department of Athletics
• Disability Services
• Student Health Services General Medical Clinic  and Women’s Care
• Lutheran Campus Ministries
• Student Health Services Campus Wellness
• Office of Student Conduct
• Presbyterian Student Association
• Student Life
• Thomas Cooper Library
• University Housing
• USC Police Department
• Women and Gender Studies
• Career Center
• Off-Campus Student Programs
• University 101
• Arnold School of Public Health
• Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands (Community Representative)

Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention chairs the SARV Committee.