VIP Center Establishes Bias Incident Support Services
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 28, 2016) — The University of Kentucky Division of Student Affairs Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center has expanded its scope of services to provide support and advocacy to those who have experienced violent, threatening or harassing behavior based on an aspect of their identity or perceived identity including:
- Ability (physical, psychological and cognitive)
- Age
- Ancestry
- Citizenship or immigration status
- Gender
- Gender expression
- Gender identity
- Ethnicity
- National origin
- Parenting and pregnancy status
- Race
- Religion
- Religious practice
- Sexual identity
- Sexual orientation
- Veteran status
Bias Incident Support Services (B.I.S.S.) includes support at the time of crisis and resources to support the physical, emotional and academic well-being of the individual or individuals impacted. In addition, advocates can provide information and assistance with reporting options, both on-campus and off-campus. B.I.S.S. focuses on the negative impact on the targeted individual or group.
B.I.S.S. are available to all UK undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students, faculty and staff. A bias incident is any activity that intimidates, demeans, degrades, marginalizes or threatens individuals or groups based on their identities or perceived identities. A bias incident can occur whether the act was intentional or unintentional, and may or may not be a legal act.
“This is expansion is in direct response to marginalized students who communicated to administration their need for a place of comfort, advocacy and support in those instances when they’ve been the targets of bias and hate,” said Carol Taylor-Shim, bias incident response coordinator. “We know that a sense of safety and belonging is what keeps students, staff and faculty here at UK. It is our obligation to do all we can to provide that.”
Advocates are available to discuss individual concerns regarding confidentiality to ensure that those reporting are well informed of their rights and limitations of confidentiality. B.I.S.S. provided by the VIP Center are confidential unless there is a legal reporting requirement.
Those seeking services may call 859-257-3189 or email Carol Taylor-Shim (carol.taylor@uky.edu) to arrange an appointment or stop by the VIP Center in Frazee Hall 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday to schedule an appointment.
Visit the VIP Center’s website for more information about Bias Incident Support Services (B.I.S.S.).
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MEDIA CONTACT: Blair Hoover, 859-257-6398; blair.hoover@uky.edu