Frequently Asked Questions

• The Sun Devil Support Network (SDSN) is a peer support network at Arizona State University composed of trained students who:
  • Provide information about legal, medical, and psychological resources available on and off campus
  • Provide support to victims and survivors of sexual and relationship violence
  • Educate students about sexual and relationship violence and its prevalence in the ASU community
  • Increase the awareness and utilization of campus resources
  • Serve as role models in the ASU community

• Sexual violence is an extremely pervasive issue within our society and we need everyone’s help to address it!
• Violence has a profound impact on a victim or survivor’s academic, social and personal life, and can affect their friends and families, fellow students and all members of the ASU university community. Through increased awareness efforts, education, training and advocacy, every member of the ASU community should be prepared to actively contribute to a culture of respect and ethic of care to keep our community free from sexual violence, harassment, exploitation and intimidation.
• You can help us provide support for those who have experienced sexual violence and make the ASU community a safer place where all students can thrive.
• Because sexual violence is such a prevalent issue in our community, enhancing your skills and knowledge in this field (and having demonstrable evidence of these knowledge and skill) strengthens your role as a student leader and prepares you for community involvement.

• Upon completion of an SDSN training, students have the opportunity to be listed as a trained member of SDSN that is able to provide ASU community members with support, information, and resources related to experiences of sexual and relationship violence. They can do so by listing their contact information on our website, attending events hosted by the Sexual and Relationship Violence Prevention Program, and helping host events geared towards victim/survivor-support throughout the school year, among other opportunities.
• Even if you do not want to formally be listed as a trained member of SDSN that is prepared to provide peer support, we encourage everyone who takes part in the SDSN training to continue to have conversations about sexual violence prevention in our community and beyond. The knowledge and skills you gain through SDSN can be applied to future conversations/situations in which you may be called upon to support friends, family, etc., whether related to sexual violence or not.
• It is not required to serve as a peer support within SDSN after the training.

Each semester, the SDSN hosts trainings designed to teach interested students how to:

• Educate students on all forms of sexual and relationship violence including, but not limited to, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking
• Dispel myths about sexual and relationship violence
• Educate students on the process of reporting a sexual assault on campus and through the criminal justice system
• Educate students on campus and community resources
• Educate students on active listening and providing emotional support, gathering information and providing feedback

Training runs for 5 hours and includes presentations, videos, interactive activities, and discussion groups. Refreshments are provided.

All knowledge levels are encouraged to attend. While an extensive knowledge of sexual violence is not required, it can be helpful to have a baseline understanding of sexual and relationship violence prior to attending because this training will focus on skill building to best support survivors. Thus, to best prepare you for the training, you will enroll in a pre-service training that will provide you with baseline education on sexual and relationship violence.

Yes. While it is recommended to complete the pre-service training prior to your in-person training date, students will have the opportunity to complete pre-service modules after the training.

Yes. To request education your group can email SDSN@asu.edu or visit https://eoss.asu.edu/movement-for-violence-prevention/request-education to request education.

After completing the pre-service training and SDSN training, advisors have the opportunity to be as involved as they would like and their schedule permits.

Yes. Graduate students can reach out to srvp@asu.edu to inquire about any upcoming graduate specific training sessions. For faculty and staff interested in receiving education on supporting survivors, please visit https://sexualviolenceprevention.asu.edu/education/request-education to request a presentation for your group.