What is Advocacy?
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Advocacy is…
Advocacy in the context of gender based violence support, consists of services and support for survivors and victims provided by trained, confidential advocates related to the impacts of dating/intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, and harassment.
An advocate can help you navigate your own situation related to dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, in a way that feels most comfortable and helpful to you. Working with an advocate is completely directed by your own choices and how you would like to move forward with support – advocacy recognizes that people are the expert in their own lives, and we work to meet people where they are at. More specifically, advocates can:
- Help survivors process their experience
- Assist in safety planning
- Provide information about survivors’ rights
- Provide referrals and connection to resources both on campus and in the community
- Support navigating systems related to those resources
- Accompany survivors and provide support during Title IX investigations
- Assistance with information and application for protection orders
Are Advocates Confidential?
Yes, confidential advocates at PCC are not required to report on any information that you disclose to anyone else on campus or in the community. The information you disclose to your advocate stays between you two. However, it is important to note that confidential advocates are Mandatory Reporters, which means they do need to report on disclosures of child abuse, elder abuse, and abuse against people with disabilities. You can talk with your advocate about their mandated reporting obligations, as well as their data reporting obligations, and how to keep your information safe and secure as possible.
When are Advocates at PCC Available?
You can always connect with a confidential advocate through the Outreach and Advocacy Project Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm. You can expect a response within 1 business day or less, depending on what time you reach out and whether or not the advocate is holding regular hours. We recognize that crises don’t always happen within business hours only. We encourage any student who needs to speak with an advocate outside of those listed hours to contact the local 24/7 domestic and sexual violence crisis line, Call to Safety, at 503-235-5333.