Aspire Program

Formerly known as PEAR

The Aspire program’s mission is to educate, empower, and support all Salem State University students and community members regarding sexualized violence, domestic and relationship violence, and stalking. We offer confidential, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services, and we strive to foster a campus community rooted in respect, consent, and shared accountability, where every student feels supported, valued, and safe.

Prevention and Education

The Prevention, Education, Advocacy, and Response Program is dedicated to the prevention of sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking. In order to reduce and prevent interpersonal violence, we have to talk about it. Aspire provides programs, training, workshops, and discussions on consent, healthy and unhealthy relationships, gender and sexuality, masculinity, bystander intervention, and more.

We provide these trainings and workshops to incoming students, student groups, classes, athletics, as well as staff and faculty on campus.

Email pear@salemstate.edu to learn more about our coordinated community response team, prevention programming and initiatives, and/or how to collaborate with us.

The Aspire program’s mission is to educate, empower, and support all Salem State University students and community members regarding sexualized violence, domestic and relationship violence, and stalking. We offer confidential, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services, and we strive to foster a campus community rooted in respect, consent, and shared accountability, where every student feels supported, valued, and safe. 
 

Aspire to be: 

• Supportive of healthy relationships 
• A disruptor of the sexual violence and oppression continuum 
• A source of empowerment for yourself and others 
• Confident in reaching out for help and resources 

Advocacy

The Aspire Program can provide confidential advocacy to survivors of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and/or stalking. We offer services over the phone, virtually, and in person.

Aspire advocates can provide empathetic support for survivors; information about students’ options and rights; assistance in reporting if a student chooses; and connections to resources on and off-campus. This is a free and confidential resource for students. We also have access to a translation line with over 200 languages.

Phone  
 

Students can contact Aspire through confidential calls at 978.542.5662 or send a text to 978.594.7089. Our advocates are available Monday-Friday during business hours 9 am-5 pm and we will respond to you as soon as possible. You can still contact us outside of those hours, and we will return your call, voicemail, or text on the next business day.   

*Please note: you do not have to be in crisis to contact the phone. Students can call or text us to schedule an appointment, get support, or gather information. Other community members can also contact us to consult and/or get information to help support a friend or other student. 

LEARN ABOUT THE CONFIDENTIAL ADVOCATE LINE.

In-Person Services
 

To make an appointment, email bbarajas@salemstate.edu, or reach out to our confidential lines by calling 978.542.5662 or texting 978.594.7089.

Please note: Aspire is not available 24/7. When the confidential advocacy phone is not active, community members can contact other local resources, including: 

• SSU Mental health Support Line: 978.542.8327 (24/7)
• YWCA North Shore Rape Crisis Center: 877.509.9922 (24/7 hotline)
• HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change): 800.547.1649 (24/7 hotline)
• University Police: 978.542.6111 (24/7 Emergency Line)
• For off-campus emergencies, contact 911 or go to your local emergency room (available 24/7)

Learn about additional resources.

Time-sensitive information for sexual assault survivors.

Response

All Aspire services are trauma-informed, survivor-centered and culturally inclusive. Aspire serves all Salem State students who are survivors of dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, language differences, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, marital or familial status or disability.

Learn more about what Aspire can do for you.

Reporting

• File a report: Some students may choose to report an incident to the University. If you are interested in reporting a violation of SSU’s Title IX Policy or Student Code of Conduct, you can:
• File a report 
• Anonymous reporting: File an anonymous report, students can report their name and personal information or they may choose to report anonymously. Please note that the university may be limited in its ability to respond if you submit an anonymous report. Learn about our reporting process through our FAQ guide.
• Report to Police: You also have the right to report an incident to University Police at 978.542.6111.
• Support: The Aspire program is separate from Title IX/Conduct and University Police. Our confidential advocates can support you and assist you in understanding the reporting processes, your rights, and supportive measures. Please contact our advocacy line if you are interested in talking to someone: 978.594.7089. 
• Learn about policies: Salem State University will not tolerate sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in any form. You can find definitions and learn more about Salem State’s Code of Conduct and Salem State’s Title IX policies.

Confidentiality

Your confidentiality and privacy are important to us. Learn about our confidentiality policy.