1. Invisible No More
Introduction: The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is fully committed to providing all of its
Student-Veterans with Veteran-Centric academic and moral support services that culminate in a
transformational educational experience.
In line with this commitment, the “Invisible No More” Student-Veteran sexual abuse prevention,
education & awareness program was created to develop a comprehensive University action plan for
bridging gaps in how Student-Veterans receive support services on campus.
Problem Statement
Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is the term the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses to refer to
sexual assault or repeated sexual harassment that occurred while in the military. National data from
the VA screening program reveal that about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 100 men respond “yes” when
asked whether they have experienced MST.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has nearly four-hundred Veterans and Military
Service Members on campus with a unique set of needs resulting from coping with a number of
things that many civilian students have never had to deal with.
2. 2
“Invisible No More” recognizes these differences and is committed bridging gaps in how Student-
Veterans and Military Service Members on campus receive sexual abuse prevention and awareness
services
Goal 1
Objectives
Identify issues of concern to Student-
Veteran population on the University
of Wisconsin- Whitewater’s campus
at-risk for sexual abuse and develop
recommendations to address these
concerns through the development
and implementation of evidence-
based programming and outreach
activities.
Collaborate with key university department staff and
faculty to aggressively pursue the development and
implementation of evidence-based programming for
Student-Veteran sexual abuse prevention.
Collaborate with key university department staff and
faculty to provide safe, secure and supportive
environment for Student-Veterans at-risk for sexual
abuse.
Goal 2
Objectives
Provide easy access to an up-to- date
directory of services that are available
to Student-Veterans at- risk for sexual
abuse.
Collaborate with the Wisconsin Department of
Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Hospital to develop and
maintain an up-to- date directory and services that are
available to Student-Veterans at-risk for sexual abuse.
Collaborate with Wisconsin Vet Centers to develop and
maintain an up-to-date directory and services that are
available to Student-Veterans at-risk for sexual abuse.
Build upon the local community partnerships and
outreach established for sexual assault
awareness/prevention to establish support networks for
Student-Veterans at-risk for sexual abuse.
Present Outcomes
Increased Discussion among Student-Veterans regarding the need for support services
by Student-Veterans at risk for sexual assault;
Two Student-Veterans and one military service family member self-identified as being the
victims of MST and seeking support services from both on and off-campus resources; and
3. 3
The Coordinator of Student-Veterans & Military Service Members held a weeklong
campaign at the University Center to bring awareness and prevention of sexual assault.
Projected Outcomes
Victims of MST
With two million current veterans and one million more expected within the next decade
(due to troop draw-down from the military) UW-Whitewater can expect to see an increase
in Student-Veterans on its campus; and
And, because the military cultivates an ethos of self-reliance, encouraging members to
prove themselves and figure it out by themselves, some transitioning military service
members may be (unreported) victims of MST and be in critical need of support services.
Key Efforts
Richard Harris, Coordinator of Student Veterans and Military Services will (CSVMS):
Make contact at least once per month via face-to-face, by phone or e-mail with
program coordinators of VA Hospitals in Madison and Milwaukee that have MST Treatment
Programs which provide an array of services to discuss on-going strategies to better serve
Student-Veterans that have experienced MST;
Make contact at least once per month via face-to-face, by phone or e-mail with
program coordinators of Vet Centers in Madison and Milwaukee that provide an array
of services to discuss on-going strategies to better serve Student-Veterans that have
experienced MST;
Engage in the distribution of educational and awareness material for Student-Veteran sexual
assault prevention via prominent display at the designated Veterans Resource Information
Center located in the University’s Veterans & Service Members Lounge and other areas on
campus;
Include S t u d e n t -Veterans sexual assault education, awareness and prevention in the
University’s Veterans Orientation Program sessions; and
Partner with key university department directors to hold staff/faculty information
workshops on issues concerning MST and Student-Veterans at-risk for sexual assault.
4. 4
Program Documentation
Richard Harris, Coordinator of Student Veterans and Military Services (CSVMS) will:
Document the number of Student-Veterans requesting and receiving MST and
sexual assault prevention education and awareness material;
Document the number of Student-Veteran MST and sexual assault referrals made to both
on campus and community-based resources;
Document the number of student and staff/faculty information workshops conducted on
issues concerning MST and sexual assault prevention education;
Document the number of the University’s Veterans Orientation Program sessions that
include MST and sexual assault prevention education;
Document results of MST and sexual assault prevention education program via Student-
Veterans Satisfaction of Program Services Surveys; and
Document CSVMS participation in trainings/conferences/seminars/workshops that focus
on services provided specifically to Student-Veterans and Military Service Members
that have experienced MST or sexual assault.
Key Collaborations/Partnerships
Community-Based Resources:
Dr. James Lickel
VITAL Program Manager
Madison VA Medical Center
Ben Endres, LCSW
MST Coordinator
Madison VA Medical Center
Veterans Benefits Administration
MST Veterans Service Representative
1-800-827-1000
5. 5
Campus-Based Resources:
Andrew Browning, Case Manage University Care Team
UW-Whitewater Student Veterans Service Organization (VSO)
“Invisible No More” Student-Veteran Sexual Prevention
Program developed and implemented by:
Richard Harris, BSW
Coordinator of Student Veterans & Military Services
HarrisR05@uww.edu
Cell # 608-718-6120
Office # 262-472-5236
7. 7
Referral Tracking Form
Student-Veteran
Date Issues/Concern Referral? Referred To:
#0941765 09/24/15 Student-Veteran stated that she has been the victim
of multiple sexual assaults and has been diagnosed
with PTSD and severe depression. Student-Veteran
went on to state that she uses both on-campus
mental health services.
Yes Dr. Lickel, VITAL Program
Manager
Andrew Browning, CARE Team
Case Manager
#7309722 11/18/15 Student-Veteran stated that her career in the military
was “cut-short” because she was sexually assaulted
by another member of her unit. Student-Veteran
went on to state “I’m taking medication and in
counseling at the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee.
system and I’ll be ok.”
Yes Dr. Lickel, VITAL Program
Manager
#6300150 11/28/15 Student-Veteran stated that she was the victim of a
sexual assault while in the military and has been
diagnosed with PTSD. Student-Veteran went on to
state “I am doing better. I do have a mental health
team at the Madison VA Medical Center.
Yes Dr. Lickel, VITAL Program
Manager
#6742398 12/14/15 Student-Veteran stated that she was the victim of a
sexual assault while in the military and has been
diagnosed with PTSD and clinical depression.
Student-Veteran. Student-Veteran indicated that she
uses mental health services at the VA Medical
Center in Madison.
Medical Center.
Yes Dr. Lickel, VITAL Program
Manager
8. 8
Efforts & Activities
Date Description
04/11/16 Resource Table at the University Center: “Stories of Survivors” Richard Harris, Coordinator of Student Veterans
And Military Service Members
04/12/16 Resource Table at the University Center: “Women Warriors of Whitewater” Nicole Jason, Group Facilitator
04/13/16 Resource Table at the University Center: Sexual Assault and Title IX
04/14/16 Resource Table at the University Center: James Lickel, Madison VA Medical Center
04/15/16 Resource Table at the University Center: Conclusion/Review
9. 9
Monday April 11th thru Friday April 15th
University Center 11:00 am thru 2:00 pm
Monday: “Stories of Survivors” Richard Harris, Coordinator of Student Veterans
And Military Service Members
Tuesday: “Women Warriors of Whitewater” Nicole Jason, Group Facilitator
Wednesday: Sexual Assault and Title IX
Thursday: “VITAL” Dr. James Lickel, Madison VA Medical Center
Friday—Conclusion/Review
Richard Harris, BSW
Coordinator of Student Veterans & Military Service Members
HarrisR05@uww.edu
Cell: (608) 718-6120 or Office: (262) 472-5236
Sexual Trauma Raises Suicide
Among Veterans
