Pittsburg ? Pittsburg State University has added its first full-time, on-campus advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

The Joplin Globe reports that Ali Smith, an employee of Safehouse Crisis Center, will be stationed at the university as the campus victims’ advocate. She will provide services such as crisis intervention, advocacy and support counseling to domestic violence victims and victims of sexual assault.

Smith says she’s appreciative that university officials have recognized the need for her position. She said it’s unfortunate that “sexual and domestic violence are widespread around the world, and especially around college campuses.”

Smith received the Outstanding Adviser Award for Excellence earlier this spring for her work as an adviser, trainer and mentor for PSU’s Students for Violence Prevention program.