Postdocs,
We encourage you to review Vice Chancellor Renee Navarro's important message to the UCSF community about how recent changes to our lives as a result of COVID-19 may have unintended consequences for those who experience relationship or family violence.
Dear UCSF Community,
Our campus has taken critical steps to protect our community and prevent continued spread of the COVID-19 virus. These steps have included disseminating information through COVID-19 town halls and following directives from federal, state, and University leadership to reduce work performed on-site as much as possible and promote social distancing. At this time, it is crucial that we continue to take these actions.
The Office of Diversity and Outreach, UCSF CARE, the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD), Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP), Student Health and Counseling Services, and UCSF Police Department collectively recognize that sheltering in place at home and practicing physical isolation can have unintended consequences for members of our community who experience relationship or family violence. Survivors may be experiencing increased social isolation and danger due to physical distancing measures and stay at home orders.
UCSF is committed to maintaining a community free of all forms of harassment and discrimination based on protected categories, including domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual violence. UCSF takes reports of domestic and sexual violence seriously and will continue to respond promptly and effectively to such reports. All UCSF support services continue to be available, including assistance with workplace and academic accommodations.
Listed below are resources that are available to offer support and assistance to those in need:
UCSF Remote Resources
- UCSF’s CARE Advocate provides free, confidential support to all members of the UCSF community affected by sexual assault, relationship or family violence, stalking, and/or sexual harassment. CARE Advocacy services continue to be available remotely. Video and phone appointments can be made by calling CARE at (415) 502-8802, texting (415) 640-9080, or emailing [email protected]. Additional information and resources to support coping and healing can be found on the CARE website.
- Student Health and Counseling Services provides free, confidential virtual consultation via Zoom. Support services can be accessed by calling (415) 476-1281. All visits will be conducted by phone or HIPAA-compliant Zoom meeting.
- Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) provides free, confidential support for faculty and staff. All therapy sessions will be conducted via telemental therapy through a HIPAA-compliant platform or by phone. To make an appointment, call (415) 476-8279.
- Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) is a neutral office that responds to concerns related to discrimination, harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, stalking, and other behaviors prohibited by the UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment and the UC Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace. Reports to OPHD can be filed via email to [email protected] or by phone at (415) 502-3400. Investigators remain available to speak with parties by phone and/or Zoom.
- UCSF Police Department provides timely responses to those experiencing crimes, including dating violence, domestic violence, sex offenses, and stalking. The UCSF Police Department encourages community members experiencing an emergency to immediately call 911 or (415) 476-6911. Members who are not experiencing emergencies can call (415) 476-1414. The UCSF Police Department is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
San Francisco Community Resources
Below are community-based resources that are available to assist.
- WOMAN, Inc. is a community-based, multi-service agency that serves survivors of domestic violence. It can be reached 24 hours per day at (877) 384-3578.
- La Casa de las Madres is available 24 hours per day and responds to requests for assistance from domestic violence survivors. It can be reached by phone at (877) 503-1850 and (877) 923-0700 and text message at (415) 200-3575. La Casa’s drop-in counseling center is closed at this time; however, its shelter remains open.
- Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic (CROC) is a free legal services and restraining order clinic for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault,and stalking. Clinics are currently closed due to the shelter in place order; however, private appointments are available. The clinic can be reached at (415) 864-1790 or (415) 969-6711.
- San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR) provides resources, support, advocacy, and education to survivors of sexual abuse and violence. SFWAR is available to speak with survivors through its 24-hour hotline at (415) 647-7273.
- Community United Against Violence (CUAV) supports the healing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons who have experienced violence and abuse. CUAV is available to provide counseling remotely by phone and video services. It can be contacted by phone at (415) 333-HELP or email at [email protected].
National Resources
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline has advocates available to confidentially speak with survivors of domestic violence. Advocates are available 24 hours per day and can be reached at (800) 799-SAFE. Survivors can chat with advocates here or text LOVEIS to 22522.
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline provides confidential 24-hour support for survivors of sexual assault. Trained staff can be reached at (800) 656-HOPE (4673) and through chat.
- Trans Lifeline provides direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis. It can be reached at (877) 565-8860.
- The Deaf Hotline has advocates available to provide 24-hour crisis intervention, education, information, and referral for deaf, deaf-blind, and deaf-disabled survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through video phone at (855) 812-1001, (800) 787-3224 (TTY), chat, and email at [email protected].
UCSF is continuing to monitor evolving concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it remains dedicated to serving community members impacted by harassment, discrimination, dating violence, domestic violence, and sexual violence.
Sincerely,
J. Renee Navarro, PharmD, MD
Vice Chancellor – Office of Diversity and Outreach
Chief Diversity Officer, Chief Outreach Officer
Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Nyoki Sacramento, JD
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Title IX Coordinator, and EEO Officer
Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination
Denise Caramagno, MA, LMFT
Director, UCSF CARE
Mike Denson
Police Chief, UCSF Police Department