About us

History

The Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) Committee Organizing Rape Education (CORE) was the pioneer of sexual assault response and education at UW. In the fall of 1991 the ASUW Sexual Assault Committee formed CORE, the first peer education program on campus, in response to recent assaults and the student need for education and prevention programs. CORE recruited 30 volunteers who were trained by Seattle Rape Relief, a community agency. By that spring, they presented programs to student groups, the Greek system, classes and in residence halls.

In 1993, CORE, along with the ASUW President proposed a pilot program for a sexual assault center on campus. The Sexual Assault Referral and Information Service (SARIS) opened its doors in 1994 as a centralized place to provide services, unify campus resources, assess needs and coordinate educational programs. At that time, two part-time graduate students staffed the office, which was housed in Schmitz Hall in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

SARIS continued to be staffed by students until 1997, when they hired the first professional staff member. At that time SARIS moved into the HUB and began providing direct service to students and advising to CORE. SARIS incorporated "relationship violence" into the title as a response to the growing need for student services.

SARIS is a program within the department of Health and Wellness in the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life.

SARIS Services

SARIS is committed to promoting respect, the understanding and appreciation of differences and the constructive expression of ideas. SARIS provides services to all students with respect to their identity, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or socioeconomic status.