Dial Help providing on-site services to FinnU students and employees

Weekly on-campus availability on Monday afternoons

Students at Finlandia University seeking assistance through a traumatic event are now able to get that service right on Finlandia’s campus as Dial Help’s Sexual Assault Service Coordinator Peggy Sullivan will be on campus each Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. Sullivan can be found in Mannerheim 124, near the Registrar’s Office.

“When individuals experience a traumatic event it can be very overwhelming and they may not have the support or know of the resources that are available,” Sullivan said. “We want students to know they don’t have to manage this trauma alone. Maybe a person needs a listening ear or someone to be there for support. As advocates, we provide all of this and so much more.”

The service is available because of a State of Michigan grant called Sexual Assault Comprehensive Services. The grant allows Dial Help to provide resources, support, and services to victims of sexual assault and/or secondary victims (such as friends or family of victims). In addition to this on-campus support, Dial Help offers a 24-hour crisis line (906) 482-HELP), one-on-one counseling, support groups, and community education/awareness. The group also have advocates available 24/7 who can meet sexual assault victims at the hospital for support during forensic exams, or at the police station to help with filing a police report.

“We serve as confidential, non-judgmental, supportive guides and allow the individual to make the decisions that are best for them,” Sullivan added. “We are starting this service to have on-site advocates to make it easier for students to connect to services.”

No appointment is needed. If a student who is not in need of emergency services wants to set up a time to meet outside of the Monday hours, they can contact Sullivan at Dial Help by calling (906) 482-HELP (4357) or texting (906) 35-NEEDS (63337).

“We can meet with a student at Finlandia, at Dial Help, or at other locations,” she said. “It is important to know that our services are for individuals that have experienced sexual assault or abuse in the past, as well as recent assault. Our advocates are all trained by, and work for, Dial Help.”

The organization, which is based in Houghton, provides confidential, non-judgement services and focus on empowering victims to make their own decisions. Individuals can also stop during our hours at Finlandia if they have any questions about sexual violence, how to support a victim that they know, or want to become more involved in increasing awareness and support for victims of Campus Sexual Assault. Learn more about Dial Help at dialhelp.org.