One of the most important components in recovery is the ability to connect with others for support, advocacy, and assistance. UMKC fully embraces the need to provide opportunities for students and employees to feel valued and understood through making connections to share experiences and work through relatable feelings, and to reduce or eliminate barriers in accessing educational programs and activities, as well as those present in the workplace.

Click the connection of interest below to view the opportunities available to students and employees.

On-Campus Connections for Support/Advocacy (link)
Connections Beyond Campus – Services for Victims/Survivors (link)
Connections Beyond Campus for Support/Advocacy (link)
On-Campus Connections for Assistance (link)
Connections Beyond Campus for Assistance (link)

On-Campus Connections for Support/Advocacy

RISE: Resources, Intervention, Support, & Education (link) assists any member of the campus community with basic crisis intervention and on-going case management and advocacy as needed for victims/survivors of sexual assault and sexual violence, gender-based violence, stalking, and relationship abuse. RISE also provides support for family members, friends, and colleagues of victims/survivors. 

Counseling Services (link) provides students psychological, crisis, and risk consultation.

Community Counseling and Assessment Services (link) offers a professional setting with full-service expertise provided by UMKC graduate students under the supervision of the Counseling and Educational Psychology Faculty. All counseling is strictly confidential and tailored to meet the specific needs of each client.

Faculty/Staff Ombuds (link) provide employees with independent, neutral, confidential, and informal consultation.

LGBTQIA+ Programs (link) gives students an opportunity to be involved and make connections with the campus LGBTQIA+ community.

Multicultural Student Affairs (link) supports students of color in defining and achieving their personal and educational goals.

Student-Athlete Support Services (link) provides a variety of educational support to ensure student-athletes acquire the tools to meet their academic, professional and personal goals. 

Veterans’ Services (link) is dedicated to helping military-affiliated students thrive on campus and in the community. 

Women’s Center (link) advocates, educates, and provides support services for the advancement of women’s equity on campus and within the community at large. 

Connections Beyond Campus – Services for Victims/Survivors

Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (link): (816) 531-0233 or (913) 642-0233
MOCSA exists to improve the lives of those impacted by sexual abuse and assault and to prevent sexual violence in our community.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Programs (link)
Resource list of area hospitals providing SANE services following a sexual assault. If you go to a hospital in the greater Kansas City area after experiencing sexual assault, a MOCSA advocate will arrive to provide support, bring information about services, and a change of clothing.

KC Area Domestic Violence Shelters (link): 816-HOTLINE or 816-468-5463
Call to obtain information free of charge on housing, financial aid, medical aid, counseling services and shelters.

Newhouse Domestic Violence Shelter (link): (816) 471-5800
Services include an at-risk call hotline; safe shelter in a caring environment with meals, clothing, and other immediate care needs; and holistic programming to help break the cycle of violence. Located in northeast Kansas City.

Rose Brooks Center (link): (816) 861-6100
Services available for individuals and their pets, including emergency shelter, advocacy, therapy, safety planning, finding a home, and connecting with community resources for health, legal, and financial needs. Located in south Kansas City.

Hope House (link): (816) 461-HOPE or (816) 461-4673
Provides safe refuge and supportive services that educate and empower those impacted by domestic violence. Located in eastern Jackson County.

Safe at Home (link) helps survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, human trafficking, stalking, or other crimes who fear future harm in their efforts to stay safe by providing a designated address to use when creating new public records. These services help keep survivors’ confidential addresses out of the hands of their assailants.

Synergy Services Domestic Violence Hotline (link): 816-321-7050 or 800-491-1114
Provides emergency shelter and comprehensive physical and mental health services to trauma survivors, as well as supportive services to families in crisis in an effort to prevent violence.

Orders of Protection allow individuals to file for temporary or full protection orders for adults and children. For forms, click on the appropriate link: Missouri (link) or Kansas (link). For information on how to submit these forms, click on the link to the county where you reside: Jackson County (link), Clay County (link), Cass County (link), Platte County (link), Wyandotte County (link), Johnson County (link). If you assistance in finding forms and information on filing in your country, contact RISE: Resources, Intervention, Support, & Education (link).

Missouri Victim Automated Notification System (link) is a fully automated information notification system that immediately notifies registered users upon a change in an offender’s incarceration, court status, or the status of a protection order.

Kansas Crisis Hotline (link): 888-END-ABUSE or 888-363-2287
Crisis hotline developed to link victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to crisis programs across Kansas.

StrongHearts Native Helpline (link) is a domestic violence and dating violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives, offering culturally appropriate support via phone and online chat.

National Sexual Assault Hotline (link) (para español, haga clic aquí): (800) 656-HOPE or (800) 656-4673; online chat is also available
RAINN is dedicated to providing appropriate and sensitive support to every survivor of sexual violence. No two survivors have the same experience, and RAINN strives to provide services and information that respect these differences.

National Domestic Violence Hotline (link): (800) 799-SAFE or (800) 799-7233
Operating around the clock, seven days a week, confidential and free of cost, the Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse.

Safe Helpline (link): (877) 995-5247
A hotline for members of the military community affected by sexual assault. Safe Helpline is a completely anonymous, confidential, 24/7, specialized service providing help and information anytime, anywhere. A Safe Helpline user can access one-on-one support, peer-to-peer support, information, resources and self-care exercises 24/7 to aid in their recovery.

1in6 (link): 24/7 online chat
Offering a wide range of information and services for men with histories of unwanted or abusive sexual experiences, and anyone who cares about them.

MaleSurvivor (link): 24/7 online chat
Dedicated to providing personalized support for men at every stage of the healing process. They facilitate dialogue among survivors, as well as between survivors and professional therapists, on their online forums like a moderated discussion board, online 24/7 chat and at in-person events.

Child-Help USA (link): 800-4-A-CHILD or 800-422-4453; text 800-422-4453; online chat also available
Crisis line assists both child and adult survivors of abuse, including sexual abuse. The hotline, staffed by mental health professionals, also provides treatment referrals.

Connections Beyond Campus for Support/Advocacy

Crisis Support Services (link): (800) 273-8255 or text 839863
Provides 24/7, free, confidential, and caring support to people in crisis.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (link): call 988; text 988; or chat online
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 888-628-9454
Options For Deaf and Hard of Hearing: For TTY Users, use your preferred relay service of dial 711 then 988
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Kansas City Police Department’s Victim Resources (link) provides information for violent crime victims and their families.

Kansas City Victim Assistance Unit (link) provides crisis intervention, referrals to support services, and information regarding victim rights, compensation, and the criminal justice system to any victim, witness, family member or survivor of a violent crime who has suffered physical, psychological or economic harm as a direct result of a criminal offense.

Kansas City Center for Inclusion (link) provides safe, inclusive LGBTQIA+ community spaces where people can come for education, resources, and activities, as well as supports a more cohesive LGBTQIA+ community in the greater Kansas City area.

Safe Place (link) helps young people in dangerous situations access safe shelter or other assistance. Youth in crisis situations can go to any of the Kansas City area Safe Place sites including QuikTrip stores, Kansas City Area Transit Authority buses, and all branches of Kansas City and Mid-Continent public libraries. Site staff are trained to call Synergy’s 24-hour hotline, and a trained volunteer or staff member is dispatched to the site to provide assistance.

Trevor Project (link) offers trained counselors serving LGBTQ youth under 25 via phone, instant messaging, and text.

LGBT National Help Center (link) connects individuals with resources locally, nationally, and internationally, and offers support, acceptance, and affirmation. Access these services through hotlines, online chat programs, email services and publicly-accessible online database of resources. Services are always free and confidential.

Victim Connect (link) is a referral helpline where victims can learn about their rights and options confidentially, anonymously, and compassionately. Victim Assistance Specialists are available to discuss concerns and questions in a nonjudgmental, compassionate environment, to connect victims with information and resources, and to provide guidance on next steps.

NAMI Helpline (link) is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health conditions, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. HelpLine staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained and able to provide guidance.

DeafLEAD Crisis Line (link): 321-800-DEAF or 321-800-3323 or text HAND to 839863
Provides 24-hour crisis intervention, advocacy, case management, interpreting and mental health services to Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, and late-deafened individuals who are victims of crime and their families.

Right To Be (link) lets you report and document online harassment and get the kind of help you want, including emotional support, guidance on how to protect yourself, and help in ending online harassment.

7 Cups (link) is an on-demand emotional health service and online therapy provider. They utilize bridging technology to anonymously and securely connect real people to real listeners in one-on-one chat.

btherapy (link) connects you with random strangers around the world who are willing to talk to you about your problems, as well as sharing their own.

On-Campus Connections for Assistance

Student Disability Services (link) helps students with documented disabilities secure the support they need to succeed academically at UMKC.

Disability services for employees are provided by the Office of Equity & Title IX; visit Disability Access (link) for more information.

Academic Support & Mentoring (link) provides tutoring to all UMKC students.

Kangaroo Food Pantry (link) provides food assistance to Roos in need.

Employee Relations (link) provides services to employees, managers, and supervisors to create a positive work environment for everyone through offering guidance on good management practices and workplace behaviors and relationship development through a variety of services.

UMKC Police Department (link) promotes a safe and orderly learning environment and enhanced quality of life with a reduction of crime, social disorder and fear of crime.

Connections Beyond Campus for Assistance

Able Hands Interpreting Services (link) provides highly qualified, dependable, and professional Sign Language interpreters with a small business feel.  

Bridging the Gap Interpreting (link) provides language services in over 60 languages in the Kansas City area.

The Whole Person (link) provides services to people with disabilities and their families and strives to help them identify and implement resources appropriate to their situation.

Self-Help Law Clinic (link) at the UMKC Leon E. Bloch Law Library provides limited scope representation to individuals seeking legal assistance. 

Legal Aid of Western Missouri (link) provides free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance to people who need it most and can afford it least. 

Kansas Legal Services (link) helps low-income Kansans meet their basic needs through the provision of important legal and mediation services.

Missouri Bar Lawyer Referral Services (link) assists in finding an attorney through LawyerSearch; you can find a list of lawyers who have indicated that they are accepting new clients in various areas of the law.

Lawyer Referral Services (link) assists in finding a lawyer through use of their LegalMatch system.

National Crime Victim Bar Association (link) is the nation’s first professional association of attorneys and expert witnesses dedicated to helping victims seek justice through the civil system.