Denim Day 2025

Consider supporting the much-needed student survivor emergency fund. 

Why do survivors of sexual assault, relationship abuse, and stalking need an emergency fund? While the Dean of Students Office helps survivors navigate supportive resources on- and off-campus, these experiences can lead to unforeseen financial burdens not covered by the university.

• Nearly 20% percent of UW students report experiencing sexual assault while at UW. Sexual assault survivors may have unanticipated medical expenses, including medications and services not covered by insurance and not provided by Student Health. They may need help covering the costs of new bedding, clothes, medication, or counseling services.
• Relationship abuse survivors may need help with a security deposit or application fee to move out of an abusive living situation and into a new home.
• Stalking survivors may need support to increase personal security such as installing door security cameras or accessing technical assistance.

In 2024, a student received funding for a ring doorbell to address ongoing safety concerns related to stalking. She shared, “I am a senior at UW studying mechanical engineering who has been assisted financially via the Survivor Emergency Fund. This support means a lot to me as a student who is financially independent and is working 20-30 hours per week to put myself through college. Due to my decision to advocate for myself against my stalker and file for a protection order, I lost a significant amount of working time over the past few weeks. The financial support I received from the Survivor Emergency Fund has allowed me to re-focus attention on myself and my education and not stress about money while experiencing a very significant amount of emotional duress. I would like to formally thank the donors of the Survivor Emergency Fund for their continued support.”

Another survivor received funding to cover the costs of testing for sexually transmitted infections and medications, and to replace the jeans she was wearing when her abuser sexually assaulted her.

We hope that you will join us in by giving to this emergency fund and help remove one of the many obstacles that survivors face on their path to recovery and to assist them in their persistence to graduation. We so much appreciate your support!