Safe Berks/Campus Advocate
The Kutztown University Women’s Center partners with Safe Berks in providing emotional support and advocacy services. To schedule a confidential appointment, or speak with an advocate, please contact the Women’s Center at 610-683-4655 (during normal business hours) or Safe Berks using one of the following options:
Safe Berks Hotline (24 hours)
844-789-SAFE or Text SAFE BERKS to 20121
Safe Berks
255 Chestnut Street
Reading, PA 19602
Phone: 610-373-1206
Safe Berks Campus Advocate
Victoria C. Simmons, Higher Education Campus Specialist
Contact Victoria directly for a confidential meeting.
Text or call: 484-651-9745
Meet our Campus Advocate: Victoria Simmons
Can you explain your role in Safe Berks and at KU?
I work as the Safe Berks Higher Education Campus Specialist (aka the campus advocate). In my position, I travel between 6 different college campuses in Berks County providing services to students, faculty and staff. At KU, I work in the Women’s Center on campus and often get to partner with other campus organizations such as It’s On Us, the LGBTQ+ resource center and others.
What are some services you provide to KU students?
As campus advocate, I provide the same services as our agency on a smaller scale. Primarily, I provide short term empowerment counseling and advocacy to victims of sexual assault or interpersonal violence. Some of our advocacy services include law enforcement accompaniment, assisting in filing protection from abuse orders or sexual violence protection orders, on-call medical advocates and information regarding the criminal justice system, and additional resources.
What are some ways you practice self-care?
There are several different ways I like practicing self care: I enjoy running, hiking and being outside. I do lots of art and craft activities, but my number one favorite type of self care is volunteering and playing with dogs at my local shelter.