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Women's Center South Hall Office
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Frequently Asked Questions Does the Women's Center test for pregnancy or STDs? The Women's Center does not offer any testing, we are a resource center not a medical center. The University Health Office offers pregnancy testing. Or we can help you make an appointment for pregnancy testing and/or confidential STD testing at a local clinic. You can also access other information about women's health issues at the Women's Center. Does the Women's Center offer personal counseling? The Center is not staffed by a professional counselor. Students with counseling issues should go directly to the Student Counseling Center on the third floor of the Kinsley Building. However, the WC director is always available to listen to your problems and will do her best to guide you to the right place for further assistance. Many issues women face are not crisis-related. If you have a problem that is not a crisis, stop in to talk with the director or a student staff member. I think I have been raped. What should I do? First, get to a safe place. Do not shower, bathe or change your clothes. On campus, you may contact Safety & Security at 401-598-1103 or you may contact the Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center hotline at 800-494-8100, both numbers will put you in contact with an advocate who will accompany you to the hospital, explain your options and offer emotional support. Students who have experienced sexual assault in the past, may contact the hotline or visit the Women's Center or Student Counseling for support and assistance. We have numerous resources for survivors. Do most universities have women's centers? Over 500 universities in the United States have women's centers. Locally, women's centers can be found at Brown University, Rhode Island College, University of Rhode Island, Bryant College and Roger Williams University. Why should I get involved? It's your women's center! Anyone is welcome to volunteer at the Women's Center in a variety of capacities. You can work with existing programs or coordinate new ones. Stop in today to see how you can get active! Where is the men's center? We support the idea of a campus men's center because such an office could encourage men on campus to gather and talk about healthy relationships, birth control options, sexuality, ending violence against women or even to plan a community service project to benefit disadvantaged boys in Providence. In short, a men's center would make the job of the Women's Center a little easier! In fact, at least one campus, namely UC Berkeley, has created a "Gender and Equity Resource Center" that reflects the notion that so-called "women's issues" such as date rape, safe sex or gender equality, are men's concerns too. Not only do many men care about these issues, but men are critical allies in the effort to transform our culture and our campuses into safe, supportive, inclusive environments for all. For more information on men's issues and the movement for Men's Centers, contact Tanya Rogers, Director of the Women's Center. |