Frequently Asked Questions

There could be many reasons. Sometimes people are looking for information or support after harm has occurred. CARE Services is completely free and available for currently-enrolled KU students (Lawrence & Edwards campus) who have experienced or have been affected by interpersonal violence.

This includes experiences such as sexual violence (such as sexual harassment, rape, sexual assault, or online harassment/exploitation), relationship or dating violence, and stalking. You don’t have to label yourself/what happened, describe what you’ve been through, or disclose your circumstances in order to talk with us.

Services from CARE might include confidential listening, helping you request academic supports, linking you to community resources, and advocating alongside you. You don’t have to navigate things alone. We can be here to support you and your decisions.

Scheduling a time in advance is strongly recommended, but isn't always required. CARE staff are located in Watkins Health Center (Suite 2500). You may be able to check in by stopping by during our program hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, or 4:30 pm during breaks). However, please keep in mind there are times when CARE staff may not be immediately available; we could be working with other students or be somewhere else on campus.

To ensure we can meet at a time that works best for you, use this link to schedule online, call (785-864-9255) or email (care@ku.edu) us directy. We make every effort to maintain availability throughout the week. Typically, you can meet with us the same day or the next weekday, or further out if you prefer.

CARE staff members are available Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (when campus is open). During academic breaks and over the summer, CARE Services closes at 4:30 pm. There are times we may be available after-hours for support in certain circumstances if pre-arranged.

Please know that CARE staff do not regularly check voicemail and email after-hours.

If you are needing immediate assistance when we are unavailable, please contact these confidential, free community partners in Lawrence (24/7):

• The Care Center  (sexual violence, stalking): 785-843-8985
• The Willow  (domestic or dating violence, stalking): 785-843-3333
• Headquarters Counseling Center  (crisis counseling & suicide prevention): 785-841-2345 or 988

If you ever need emergency medical or safety assistance, please call 911 if it feels safe to do so.

Nope! Options for connecting include in-person meetings in Watkins Health Center, virtually through Zoom, talking by phone, or meeting somewhere else in public either on campus (or under some circumstances, in the community). CARE staff can typically be flexible to meet your preference.

A first-time meeting might last about 30-60 minutes, but this varies depending on what's helpful, what you need, and the conversation.

No. CARE staff are not therapists or other licensed mental health professionals. We don't provide clinical services such as diagnosing mental health conditions, managing medications, or setting up treatment plans like a therapist or other mental health provider might do. CARE Services is a program located within CAPS, but CARE staff are not part of the CAPS clinical team.

Our approach is grounded in the field of professional sexual and domestic violence advocacy. We use active listening, empathy, and supportive counseling skills to try and help someone feel understood and emotionally safe. Additionally, we may offer information about processes or options that are available and accompany someone to related meetings.

CARE staff will listen to your current needs and offer individualized support and info on these topics with your guidance. You are not required to meet with us ongoing, regularly, or on any set schedule. We understand that you might stop communicating with us at any time and that you may reach out again later or not. Sometimes people work with CARE Services and a therapist at the same time. We feel that various types of supports (including therapy) can be helpful in recovering from interpersonal violence, and we can connect you to counseling services on- or off-campus upon request. We're here to listen and talk through what you find helpful.

Yes. All services provided by CARE are completely free and voluntary for currently-enrolled KU students (Lawrence & Edwards campus).

CARE may also be able to provide limited financial assistance through the Interpersonal Violence Fund if your circumstances meet the requirements.

CARE Services staff confidential KU employees. CARE Services is part of the counseling center on campus (CAPS), but your information will not be shared with other staff at CAPS, other KU departments, or the police.

Confidential means that any identifying information and what you tell us will not be shared with others unless you give explicit permission. We will not confirm that you have visited our office or are “working with us” to someone else.

However, if we learn that you or someone else is in imminent, life-threatening danger, we may need to share this with a supervisor and/or initiate emergency response under these rare circumstances.

Notes from our meetings are kept in a secure Electronic Health Record (EHR) that only CARE staff can access. Emailing with CARE Services might be a less-secure form of communication since total confidentiality cannot be guaranteed with electronic messages. If there is something sensitive you would like to discuss, please schedule a time to meet with us in person, by phone, or virtually.

We can provide info about The Office of Civil Rights & Title IX (OCRTIX) and what their outreach means. We can give general overview of various avenues and KU processes that may be available to you, including filing a formal complaint. If you’d like, we can attend meetings with you and help you navigate this process. Sometimes people give us permission to ask questions on their behalf. 

With your permission, we could also receive updates and be included on any communication about a case automatically. (However, this would not be legal advice or representation.)

It’s understandable if you are feeling confused, stressed, or overwhelmed by any information or process. They can be complicated and we are here to help in a way that feels most useful to you.

Yes. We may be able to attend relevant meetings, appointments, and interviews with you in-person or online. When we go with you, our role is to provide emotional support, information, and encouragement. We do not speak for you or provide information to others without your permission.

We are typically available only during our weekday hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm), but there are times we can attend something after-hours with advance notice. Support must be requested during regular operating hours, as CARE staff do not regularly check email and phone messages after-hours.

To request CARE support at an upcoming meeting, contact us at care@ku.edu or 785-864-9255.

• Off-campus support is always available through The Care Center by calling 785-843-8985 (24/7). A trained advocate from The Care Center will automatically respond to Lawrence Memorial Hospital if you go to the emergency department for post-assault care.

See our Resources page to learn more about options for reporting to KU or law enforcement, or seeking medical care after sexual violence.

Yes! You do not need to pursue anything formal with KU or the police in order to access support and get help continuing your education. We know that the decision to report or not is personal and can be complicated to make.

If you have experienced or are experiencing interpersonal violence — you have the right to request supports at KU – regardless of your decision to report or submit a formal complaint. We can help communicate with your instructors and help you learn about the current academic options available to you. CARE staff are available to discuss your classes and your individual needs. If these are current classes, we can explore ways to request the individualized supportive measures you need in class such as excused absences, extensions, or alternative assignments. 

If a previous semester or year was significantly affected by violence, you may ask to retroactively withdraw from classes (undergraduate students) and request a tuition refund. CARE staff can offer info, guidance, and support you in this process.

Yes, you can still get help. There is no requirement that something must be recent or have happened while you were a KU student. If you experienced interpersonal violence off-campus, during breaks, or before you were a student here, you still deserve support. It’s not uncommon for someone to seek help at various times in their life for different reasons. If you're a current KU student, we're here to help.

No, you don't. You don’t need to label yourself or define anything you’ve experienced to talk with us. We won’t ask you questions about what happened and you get to decide what’s useful to share. The conversation goes at your pace. 

Additionally, you don't have to have it all figured out and we don’t think there’s one right way to respond. We are here to listen, support, and process with you no matter what you decide to do or not do. We also think that it’s okay and understandable for how you feel to change over time.

No. Sometimes people come to us because they want to share details and talk through things that have happened and how they feel. But other people don’t want to share anything, or they choose to tell us only part of things. We are okay with either and everything in between. We trust that you are coming to CARE Services because something’s happened and you need support or information. You guide the conversation!

No. CARE staff aren't attorneys and cannot provide legal advice or representation. We only offer general information about your rights after experiencing violence. We might also share generally how an administrative, criminal, or civil process might work.

Depending on the circumstances and needs, KU Legal Services for Students (LSS) on campus may be an option. We can also share information about other legal resources in the community, such as Kansas Legal Services or the KS Bar Association lawyer referral service.