POTSDAM -- Members of the SUNY Potsdam campus community worked to assemble 250 comfort bags for local victims and survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence, through the SUNY's Got Your Back initiative.

SUNY's Got Your Back provides the opportunity for students, faculty, staff and community members from across the state to create comfort kits for victims and survivors of violence, and to learn methods of better preventing and responding to violence, with the aim of building a New York where these bags are no longer needed.

Each comfort bag contains personal essential hygiene products to assist victims including soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a comb and deodorant, plus a pen, notepad, a stress ball and an affirming message from a volunteer. The bags also contain information about available support services and educational materials intended to alert victims of their rights under state law. By enlisting the help of students to assemble the bags, the program also helps to raise awareness on SUNY campuses of sexual assault and domestic violence issues.

The kits recently assembled at the event by SUNY Potsdam students, faculty and staff have been donated to St. Lawrence Valley Renewal House and the St. Lawrence Health System.

Located in Canton, Renewal House has services both for past and present situations, and for friends or family members who may need support or information for those they care about. Renewal House services include a 24/7 hotline, crisis intervention, emotional support, advocacy, support groups, safe housing, assistance with orders of protection, education, referrals, transportation and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program. To find out more or make an appointment, call (315) 379-9845 or visit http://www.slvrenewalhouse.org.

Since its inception in 2016, the SUNY's Got Your Back initiative has provided more than 50,000 comfort kits to victims and survivors of crime in New York State. In 2018, SUNY's Got Your Back received $5 million in funding through the state Office of Victim Services, which allows SUNY to supply and distribute 225,000 comfort bags to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence seeking help at hospitals, shelters, and rape crisis centers across the state.

To donate, volunteer or learn more about SUNY's Got Your Back, visit http://www.suny.edu/gotyourback.

The New York State Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline (1-800-942-6906) offers help and information 24 hours a day in English, Spanish and other languages. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can call 711.