Sylvia’s Alliance
Sylvia’s Alliance is a student-led group that aims to elevate the culture at UWSOM around issues of trauma and violence.
Our Mission
Awareness: Increase awareness and understanding among medical students on gender-based violence and its consequences to health, as it relates to our learning environment and future patients
Education: Improve and develop curriculum around gender-based violence within UWSOM and provide students with training on trauma-informed care through partnerships with local organizations and advocates.
Outreach and resources: Partner with community organizations in the WWAMI region serving survivors of gender-based violence. Connect medical trainees to accessible gender-based violence resources throughout the WWAMI region and empower them with practical information to support themselves, colleagues, and patients who may be experiencing harm.
Sylvia’s Story
Sylvia, a survivor of intimate partner violence, established an endowment with UWSOM to research domestic violence and help provide programs for those who have suffered this trauma. Her story serves as a reminder of the work we must continue to do to foster a culture free of violence. This organization lives in her honor.
Meet the Executive Board of Sylvia’s Alliance
Mariebeth B. Velasquez, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Dept of Family Medicine; Faculty Advisor - UW Queer Medical Student Affinity Group. Pronouns: she/her/hers.
mbv3@uw.edu
Contact us
Please contact us with any questions or to collaborate on future events: sylviasalliance@gmail.com. Please let us know if you have any concerns about the content or suggestions for updates to this website.
Mandatory Reporting Laws
In the United States, mandatory reporting laws for healthcare workers vary by state. However, many states require healthcare workers to report incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault to law enforcement or other designated agencies.
Each of the following WWAMI states have mandatory reporting laws for healthcare workers regarding domestic violence and/or sexual assault:
The University of Washington School of Medicine has a policy on reporting incidents of sexual assault and domestic violence, which applies to all healthcare workers at the University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and the University of Washington Neighborhood Clinics. The policy states that healthcare workers are required to report incidents of sexual assault or domestic violence to appropriate authorities in accordance with state law.
Resources for each WWAMI state
We have compiled a list of resources in each WWAMI state. Find resources for the relevant states here:
To seek care, help a friend or family member, or report an incident to the University of Washington: https://www.washington.edu/sexualassault/
Sexual Assault
To find medical providers by county, specifically trained to provide care to victims of sexual assault, or to find guidelines and resources for how to conduct a sexual assault exam: https://depts.washington.edu/uwhatc/ch/index.html
For a complete list of all sexual assault resources in Washington State, organized by city: https://www.wcsap.org/help/csap-by-city
Domestic Violence
To find a complete list of all domestic violence programs in Washington State, organized by county: https://wscadv.org/washington-domestic-violence-programs/
For a complete list of all sexual assault and domestic violence resources in Wyoming, organized by county: https://www.wyomingdvsa.org/about-us
Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: https://www.wyomingdvsa.org/
Information about Domestic Violence and Protection Orders: https://equaljustice.wy.gov/index.php/get-legal-help/self-help/protection-from-abuse/domestic-violence
Statewide
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault: https://andvsa.org/find-help/member-programs/
907-586-3650
StrongHearts Native Helpline: https://strongheartshelpline.org
1-844-762-8483
Search by county
Healthy Relationships Team (HeaRT) (Aleutian Pribilof): https://www.apiai.org/healthy-relationships-program/
1-844-375-2742
Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) (Anchorage, Eagle River, Eklutna, Girdwood, Mat-Su Valley): https://www.staralaska.com/
(907) 276-7273
Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC) (Anchorage, Mat-Su Valley, Eagle River, Girdwood): https://awaic.org/
(907) 272-0100
Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC) (Statewide, Anchorage, Mat-Su): https://anjc.org/
(907) 793-3550
Tundra Women’s Coalition (TWC) (Bethel): https://tundrapeace.org/
(907) 543-3456; Toll Free: 1-800-478-7799
Cordova Family Resource Center (CFRC) (Cordova, Cape Yakataga, Chisana, Chitina, Eyak, Kenny Lake, McCarthy, Nubesna, Tonsina, Yakutat): https://www.cordovafamilyresourcecenter.org/
(907) 424-4357; Toll Free: 1-866-790-4357
Helping Ourselves Prevent Emergencies (HOPE) (Craig, Prince of Wales Island): https://www.hope4pow.org/
(907) 826-4673
Safe and Fear-Free Environment (SAFE) (Dillingham): http://www.safebristolbay.org/
(907) 842-2316; Toll Free: 1-800-478-2316
Emmonak Women’s Shelter (EWS) (Emmonak and surrounding areas): http://www.emmonakshelter.org/
(907) 949-1434
Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living (IAC) (Fairbanks): https://iacnvl.org/
(907) 452-7273; Toll Free: 1-800-478-7273
Becky’s Place Haven of Hope (Haines, Klukwan, Skagway, Yakutat, Hoonah, Angoon): http://www.beckysplacehavenofhope.org/home.aspx
Office Line: (907) 766-2105 Cell: (907) 303-0076
South Peninsula Haven House (SPHH) (Homer, Anchor Point, Dolina, Fritz Creek, Happy Valley, Kachemak City, Kachemak Selo, Nanwalek, Nikolaevsk, Ninilchik, Port Graham, Razdolna, Seldovia, Voznesenka): https://havenhousealaska.org/
(907) 235-7712; Toll Free: 1-800-478-7712
AWARE (Juneau, Elfin Cove, Gustavus, Hoonah, Klukwan, Pelican, Skagway, Tenakee Springs, Yakutat): https://awareak.org/
(907) 586-1090; Toll Free: 1-800-478-1090
LeeShore Center (Central peninsula, Kenai, Soldotna, and surrounding area): https://leeshoreak.org/
907) 283-7257
Women in Safe Homes (WISH) (Ketchikan, Metlakatla, Petersburg, Saxman, Prince of Wales Island, Thorne Bay, Wrangell): https://www.wishak.org/
(907) 225-9474; Toll Free: 1-800-478-9474
Kodiak Women’s Resource Center (KWRCC) (Kodiak, Akhiok, Chiniak, Danger Bay, Kodiak Island Borough, Karluk, Larsen Bay, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie, Port Lions): https://www.kwrcc.org/
(907) 486-3625
Maniilaq Family Crisis Center (MFCC) (Kotzebue, Ambler, Buckland, Candle, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noatak, Noorvik, Pt. Hope, Seawik, Shungnak): https://www.facebook.com/maniilaqfamilycrisiscenter/
(907) 442-3969
Bering Sea Women’s Group (BSWG) (Nome, Brevig Mission, Diomede, Elim, Gambell, Golovin, Koyuk, Savoonga, Shaktoolik, Shishmaref, Stebbins, St. Michael, Teller, unalakleet, Wales, White Mountain): https://beringseawomensgroup.org/
(907) 443-5444; Toll Free: 1-800-570-5444
Alaska Family Services (AFS) (Palmer): https://akafs.org/
(907) 746-4080; Toll-free 1-866-746-4080
Working Against Violence for Everyone (WAVE) (Petersburg): https://www.petersburgwave.org/
Office Line: (907) 772-9283; Crisis Line: (907) 772-9283
Seward Prevention Coalition (Eastern Kenai Peninsula – Seward; Lowell Point, Moose Pass, Cooper Landing, Hope): https://www.seaviewseward.org/crisis-services/
Office Line: (907) 362-1843; Crisis Line: (907) 362-1843
Sitkans Against Family Violence (SAFV) (Sitka, Angoon, Kake, Port Alexander): https://www.safv.org/
(907) 747-3370; Toll Free: 1-800-478-6511; Text line (8am – 11pm daily): (907) 623-7820
Unalaskans Standing Against Family Violence (USAFV) (Unalaska, Dutch Harbor, Adaq, Akutan, Atka, Cold Bay, Nikolski, King Cove, Nelson Lagoon, Port Moller, Sand Point, St. George, St. Paul): https://www.usafvshelter.org/
(907) 581-1500; Toll Free: 1-800-478-7238
Arctic Women in Crisis (AWIC) (Utqiaġvik/Barrow, Anaktuvuk Pass, Atqasuk, Kaktovik, Nuiqsut, Pt. Hope, Pt. Lay, Wainwright): https://www.north-slope.org/departments/health-social-services/behavioral-health-services/arctic-women-in-crisis/
(907) 852-0267; Toll Free: 1-800-478-0267
Advocates for Victims of Violence (AVV) (Valdez, Chitina, Christochina, Copper Center, Glenallen, Gulkana, Gukona, Kenny Lake, Mendeltna, Tatilek, Tolsona): https://avvalaska.org/
(907) 835-2999; Toll Free: 1-800-835-4044
For a complete list of all sexual assault and domestic violence resources in Montana, organized by county:
Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (Boise): https://idvsa.org/
208.384.0419
Advocates Against Family Violence (Caldwell): https://www.aafvhope.org/
Phone line: (208) 459- 4779
Crisis Text line: (208) 614-7671
Rose Advocates Family Resource (Cascade, McCall): https://www.roseadvocates.org/
208-414-0740
Safe Passage (Coeur d’Alene): https://www.safepassageid.org/
Voice: (208) 664-9303
Text: (208) 449-7228
The Advocates (Hailey): https://www.theadvocatesorg.org/
208.788.4191
YWCA (Lewiston, Kamiah, Orofino, Grangeville): https://www.ywca.org/
(202) 467-0801
Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse (Moscow): https://atvp.org/
(509)332-HELP
(208)883-HELP
Elmore County Domestic Violence Council (Mountain Home): https://www.ecdvc.org/
Office Phone: (208) 590-0379
Crisis Hotline: (208) 587-3300
Family Services Alliance (Pocatello): https://fsalliance.org/
(208) 251- HELP (4357)
(208) 251- HELP (4357)
LillyBrooke Family Justice Center (Sandpoint): http://www.lillybrookefjc.org/
(208) 265-3586
Voices Against Violence (Twin Falls, Jerome): https://www.vavmv.org/
(208) 733-0100
Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Education about trauma-informed care
What is trauma informed care (TIC)?
Trauma informed care involves understanding that trauma is common and presents differently in each individual, recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma, actively avoiding retraumatization, and supporting recovery.
The following resources can help guide students in adopting best practices for addressing trauma.
- Pressbooks Chapter on Intimate Partner Violence
- Pressbooks Chapter on Trauma Informed Care
- Access free virtual patient cases to better understand and respond to the effects of trauma on physical and mental health
- Red flags for providers to watch for in patients who may be survivors of intimate partner violence
- Questions providers can ask to screen for intimate partner violence
- What is Trauma-Informed Care? Information from the Trauma-Informed Care Implentation Resource Center
- Trauma-Informed Care Champions: From Treaters to Healers. Videos on trauma-informed care from patients’ and providers’ perspectives
Past Event Recordings
2023 Panel “Understanding Intimate Partner Violence: Medical, Social, and Legal Perspectives” with Carrie Myers, MD (Emergency Medicine Physician in Spokane), Natasha Wilson (Supervisor for Criminal Advocates in the DV Unit at King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office), Nicole Jackson, MD, MPH (Associate Medical Examiner for King County), and Valerie Ross MS, LMFT (Associate Teaching Professor and Behavioral Scientist in the Department of Family Medicine)
Upcoming Events
All meetings are held over Zoom unless otherwise noted
- TBD: Anger Management Forum and Bystander Training for Healthcare Workers
- TBD: Community Outreach and Service Opportunities
Email sylviasalliance@gmail.com if you would like to attend any of these presentations.