Women who experience abuse, women who don’t know their rights and women who need support to get out of an abusive situation are the kind of women Rebecca Theis, victim’s advocate at the Women’s Center, helps on a daily basis.

But not anymore.

Due to a lack of funding at the University, Theis’s position ended Friday.

“I am disappointed and frustrated,” Theis said with a sigh. “Sometimes I feel like nobody cares, but seeing the support from students who rallied on campus for me shows me that students appreciate this position.”

Her shoulder-length brown hair, fair skin and small frame may be deceiving to some. This confident yet relaxed-looking woman holds the power to help women in abusive situations every day.

“I work with any victim of sexual assault, dating violence and stalking,” Theis said.

She offers students services such as crisis intervention, medical advocacy, help in filing protection orders, information about legal rights and emotional support. Theis also said that many nurses at the Health Center will consult her when dealing with a rape victim.

“Before, I dealt more with domestic violence, now it’s expanded to a lot more cases of sexual assault,” Theis said. “And I know there have been several women that weren’t sure about what the rape kit was all about so weren’t going to get it done until I explained it to them.”

Mary Krueger, director of the Women’s Center, said Theis provides “a sensitivity to and compassionate voice for victims of sexual and relationship violence.”

Theis, 31, who graduated from Michigan State University at age 22 with a degree in psychology, started working at the University in January 2003.

“I like working with the student population. It is definitely different from what I did before, but I think it’s great,” Theis said.

During her time at MSU, Theis volunteered at the battered women’s shelter there.

While she had originally wanted to work with children in abusive situations, she realized that in order to help them, she needed to first help their mothers who were also in an abusive situation.

“While working at the shelter, I started doing a parenting class and working with the moms on how to interact with their children better,” Theis said. “I really liked it.”

The experience that Theis later gained at the Family and Child Abuse Center in Toledo, walking women in abusive situations through the court system, gave her added insight and guidance when helping campus students through the court process.

“I have had many women tell me that they wouldn’t have proceeded with the court system had it not been for me,” Theis said. “The unknown can be very scary, I think it’s important to have that support system.”

Amber Legg, a senior who’s received previous help and guidance from Theis, expressed gratitude for having her on campus.

“She has helped me more than anyone else on this campus, she’s changed me and made life so much better,” Legg said. “Without her, they [victims] would have nobody on campus with that knowledge and patience to go to.”

Although Theis has helped many individuals on campus, she believes raising victim awareness on campus has been important as a whole.

Legg is among the many students disappointed that Theis will be leaving.

“I think her absence will have a huge impact on campus. Victims won’t have anyone to go to, to talk to,” Legg said. “She is very patient, empathetic and understanding and that’s what you need as a victim, someone who listens well, but people don’t understand that.”