Gender Violence Services

Due to COVID-19, the Gender Violence Services Coordinators (GVSCs) are operating remotely and are available by phone and video call. Please email gvsc@unc.edu or call 919-962-7430 or 919-962-1343 to schedule an appointment. For more information, please refer to our GVSC Remote Services FAQs. 

The Gender Violence Services Coordinators (GVSCs) provide confidential support and advocacy for all students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, staff, and postdocs of all identities who have experienced or have been impacted by gender-based violence or harassment before or during their time at UNC-Chapel Hill. This may include experiences of gender-based discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, interpersonal (relationship) violence, and stalking. 

To learn more about resources and information for gender-based discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, interpersonal (relationship) violence and stalking at UNC-Chapel Hill, please visit the Safe At UNC website. 

More information about GVSC services, confidentiality, contact information, and location can be found below. 

About the Gender Violence Services Coordinators (GVSCs)

The Gender Violence Services Coordinators (GVSCs) provide confidential support and advocacy for all students, faculty, staff, and post-doctoral fellows of all backgrounds and identities who have experienced or have been impacted by gender-based violence or harassment before or during their time at Carolina.

Holly Lovern (she/her/hers) and Kayla Zollinger (she/her/hers) serve as the GVSCs.

Confidentiality

The GVSCs are confidential through UNC-Chapel Hill’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct. 

Learn more about the confidentiality of the Gender Violence Services Coordinators, including the few circumstances which limit our confidentiality. 

The GVSCs are happy to answer any questions or address concerns an individual may have about the confidentiality of services prior to sharing information with us. 

GVSC Services

The GVSCs provide the following services listed below: 

  • Emotional support
  • Help in understanding reporting options 
  • Accompaniment throughout reporting processes with the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office and/or law enforcement
  • Referrals to University and community resources
  • Safety planning
  • Assistance with requesting academic, on-campus housing, or workplace support
  • Outreach and education for University and community groups

View or download the GVSC Resource Card with contact information and services. 

What happens when someone meets with the GVSC?

When someone meets with the GVSC for the first time, the GVSC will share information about the role, support and services available, and our confidentiality and its limitations. From that point on, it is completely up to each person as to what they would like to share or talk through. The GVSC can answer questions, listen to concerns, identify options and resources available, and help individuals get connected to any resources they are interested in. It is okay if individuals are not sure about what they might need and just want to learn more about what support exists. At the end of the meeting, the GVSC can collaborate with the individual to determine any next steps or follow-up that would be helpful.  

Some topics we can talk about in our space include: 

  • Someone’s experience of gender-based violence or harassment 
  • How someone’s experience impacted and/or continues to impact them 
  • Trauma responses, self-care strategies, and healing
  • Concerns about safety and resources to help address concerns 
  • Reporting options and decision-making about reporting 
  • How someone can support a friend, loved one, or peer who has experienced or been impacted by gender-based violence or harassment 

Connecting with the GVSCs

How to contact

The GVSCs are available to meet with students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, staff, and post-docs Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm. Any of the options below can help someone get connected with the GVSCs.  

Email 

gvsc@unc.edu 

Individuals interested in connecting with the GVSCs may email to schedule an appointment. The GVSCs will respond to your email within 48 hours or 2 business days.  

Please note: Email is not a secure method of communication, and confidentiality cannot be ensured by email communication. Individuals do not need to disclose any sensitive information about their experience via email in order to contact the GVSCs or schedule a time to meet. 

Phone (Monday-Friday 9am – 5 pm only)  

Holly Lovern: 919-962-7430 

Kayla Zollinger: 919-962-1343 

If the GVSCs are unable to answer, you must leave a voicemail with a number that’s safe for the GVSC to return the call. GVSCs will not return a call if someone does not leave a voicemail.  

Drop-in Hours in the LGBTQ Center (Can meet with no appointment) 

Drop-in hours occur on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from 3-5 pm during the Fall and Spring semesters. During these times, one of the GVSCs will be in the LGBTQ Center (Suite 3308 in SASB South) during this time. Drop-in hours are not held on University-recognized holidays. Any updates to the drop-in hours schedule are reflected below:  

  • Updates regarding Fall 2020 drop-in hours will be available at a later time. 

To view SASB South’s location on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus map, search for “Student and Academic Services Building South (SASB).” 

Learn more about the LGBTQ Center at UNC-Chapel Hill. 

Location

The GVSCs have offices in the Carolina Women’s Center (Suite 101 of the Stone Center). If individuals are more comfortable meeting outside of our offices, the GVSCs are happy to work together with the person to identify another location on-campus. The GVSCs can also meet by phone or video call. 

Carolina Women’s Center Address: 

150 South Road 

Suite 101 (Stone Center) 

Campus Box 3302 

Chapel Hill, NC 27599 

Directions 

The Carolina Women’s Center is in Suite 101 of the Stone Center, which is located on the first floor, directly across from the restrooms and near the front reception desk area. There is accessibility ramp access from the front entrance of the building (facing Bell Tower Drive). Suite 101 has a sign for the Carolina Women’s Center on the door.   

UNC-Chapel Hill Campus Map 

To view the Stone Center’s location on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus map, search for “Stone Center.” 

Bus Lines 

There are several bus lines that have stops near the Stone Center: Chapel Hill Transit routes and GoTriangle routes. 

Parking 

There are a few options for paid parking near the Stone Center: 

  • Metered lot behind the Stone Center (Turn on Stone Center Drive for access) 
  • Rams Head Parking Deck 
  • Metered spaces on South Road by Hooker Fields  

Parking maps and more information about parking can be found on Transportation and Parking’s website. 

Options for help and support business hours, over the weekend, or when the University is closed:    

  • Local Police: Call 911 to be connected to the local police department for your current location 
  • UNC Police: If not on campus, call 919-962-8100 to be connected to UNC Police. If you’re on campus, 911 will connect you to them.  
  • Resident Advisor: If you live on campus, you can contact your Resident Advisor (RA) or the RA on-call which is posted in your Residence Hall.  
  • Carolina Ready Safety App: You can contact UNC Police by text, phone call, or Mobile Blue Light; other features include FriendWalk and WorkAlone 

Confidential Resources 

For more information about campus and community resources, please visit the Safe At UNC website.