Lauren Parker — most recently child and adolescent services coordinator for Pickens County Advocacy Center — has joined the Clemson University staff as interpersonal violence response coordinator. She will report directly to Dr. Kimberly Poole in the Office of Advocacy and Success and will hold office space in Sirrine Hall.
“Lauren will provide immediate and ongoing crisis response to survivors of sexual assault and interpersonal violence,” Poole said. “Her direct experience with advocacy work stood out. Not only does she have the experience, but she also has the transferable skill set to develop these essential services at Clemson University. Lauren has created incredible community connections and relationships and will be a valuable resource for students.”
In her role, Parker will provide advocacy and crisis support services to students who experience interpersonal violence. She will assist survivors with safety planning, crisis intervention and the identification of and connection to additional resource needs throughout the support process.
“My role is to assist students who have experienced a traumatic incident — no matter what that looks like for any given survivor — from start to finish,” Parker said. “Trauma-related work is not easy, but I am looking forward to providing direct services to students through my role. I’m really excited to hit the ground running.”
Parker joined Pickens County Advocacy Center in August 2015 and successfully implemented crisis intervention response and school district curriculum. She also participated in direct response assistance for sexual assault survivors of all ages through Pickens County hospital systems and hotline calls.
Prior to her time with Pickens County, she was a family support specialist at The Parenting Place in Easley. She delivered an evidence-based curriculum within the homes of families being served, initiated a teen pregnancy prevention grant and actively expanded clinical and in-home visitation services.
Parker earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Clemson in December 2013.