Survivor Advocacy Services FAQs
Survivor Advocates provide a safe and confidential listening ear for survivors of sexual abuse, relationship abuse and stalking. They also provide support to friends and family of survivors. A Survivor Advocate can do the following:
- Listen without judgment
- Provide you with options
- Provide information about reporting procedures and what to expect
- Answer questions about police reporting, restraining orders and Title IX
- Accompany a survivor and provide support when reporting to law enforcement (on and off campus) and the Title IX Office
- Provide information about restraining orders
- Court Accompaniments
No, everything discussed with a Survivor Advocate is completely confidential with few exceptions.
- Survivor is 17 years old or younger. We are mandated to report any current abuse of minors.
- If someone discloses that they intend to hurt themselves or others.
There are many things you can do to help. First, the best thing you can do is let the survivor know that you love and support them. Be a good listener. Assure the survivor that you will endure this crisis with them and that your friendship will remain intact. However, keep in mind that there are many ways survivors may react to the trauma they have faced, so be patient with them and respect their need for privacy. As their friend or loved one, your feelings of anger and helplessness may be very high right now, but be careful to not let this anger out onto the survivor. In the end, remember every experience is different. Letting them know you're there goes a long way.