For anyone who is navigating a difficult situation, the ability to connect with others for support, advocacy, and assistance is vital. We want to ensure that you feel valued and understood, and that you are able to share your experiences and work through your feelings and frustrations with others who can relate. We also want to connect you with resources that can help 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, or simply scroll down the page to the section of interest to you.

On-Campus Connections for Support/Advocacy (link)
On-Campus Connections for Survivors/Victims of Sexual Misconduct (link)
Connections Beyond Campus for Support/Advocacy (link)
Connections Beyond Campus for Survivors/Victims of Sexual Misconduct (link)
On-Campus Connections for Assistance (link)
Connections Beyond Campus for Assistance (link)
Opportunities for Help – Unhealthy Relationship Behaviors (link)

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On-Campus Connections for Support/Advocacy

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.

Division of Diversity & Inclusion (link) is committed to fostering inclusive educational opportunities and an equitable community environment for all students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders.

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.  The office features the At Ease Zone, which serves to provide military-affiliated students a place to study, socialize, and connect with staff and each other.

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. 

Campus Recreation (link) provides diverse recreational opportunities to the University community within an environment that values and embraces individual differences.

On-Campus Connections for Survivors/Victims of Sexual Misconduct

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 survivors/victims of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, relationship abuse, and stalking. RISE also provides support for family members, friends, and colleagues of survivors/victims. 

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 Support/Advocacy

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

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (link): The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress and prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
800-273-TALK or 800-273-8255; text MHA to 741-741; or chat online
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 888-628-9454
Options For Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 800-799-4889

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.

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.

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.

Disaster Distress Helpline (link) provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Since its launch in February 2012, the Disaster Distress Helpline has provided counseling and support in response to disasters such as Hurricane Sandy, the Boston Marathon bombing, the Ebola outbreak, and the Coronavirus pandemic.

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) 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.  321-800-DEAF or 321-800-3323 or text HAND to 839863

HEARTMOB (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.

Connections Beyond Campus for Survivors/Victims of Sexual Misconduct

Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (link) provides a map of Missouri linking to services across the state (link), region by region. 

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

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): Call to obtain information free of charge on housing, financial aid, medical aid, counseling services and shelters. 816-HOTLINE or 816-468-5463

Newhouse Domestic Violence Shelter (link): 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. (816) 471-5800

Rose Brooks Center (link): 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. (816) 861-6100

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

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): 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. 816-321-7050 or 800-491-1114

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

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): 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. (800) 656-HOPE or (800) 656-4673; online chat is also available [para español, haga clic aquí]

National Domestic Violence Hotline (link): 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. (800) 799-SAFE or (800) 799-7233

Safe Helpline (link): 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. (877) 995-5247

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

MaleSurvivor (link): 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. 24/7 online chat

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

On-Campus Connections for Assistance

UMKC provides free trained mediators to assist in the resolution of all forms of conflict through the Conflict Management Program (link), available for students, staff, and faculty.

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 Affirmative Action; 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.

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.

Truman Medical Center LGBTQ Clinic (link): The Truman Medical Center LGBTQ Clinic strives to provide a compassionate, welcoming environment where you can get the support and care you need. Providers from five disciplines collaborate to provide top-quality, gender-affirming care to LGBTQ patients.

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).

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.

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.

Opportunities for Help – Unhealthy Relationship Behaviors

LoveIsRespect.org (link) understands that reaching out for help for yourself or someone you know who may be hurting their partner is an important step in taking responsibility for the behaviors and getting help to change.

NDVH – Get Help (link) provides guidance to those who want to change the unhealthy behaviors exhibited toward their partners.

Respect Phoneline (link) provides the opportunity to talk in confidence about unhealthy behaviors toward a partner. A friendly Helpline Advisor will listen to you without judgement and give you honest advice. *Note: The available times listed are in the UK; use Time Zone Converter (link) to convert from the United Kingdom to your local time.