Confidential Advocacy

Providing Support

Confidential Advocates provide support for people who have experienced any kind of interpersonal violence, including sexual harassment, stalking, relationship abuse, unwanted sexual contact, and sexual assault.

How do Advocates Help?

Emotional Support

We are here to listen to you, and trust what you experience to be true. No one deserves the harm that happens to them. Whatever you are feeling is welcome here, and you are not alone.

Navigating Systems

Advocates can assist you in navigating systems at the school, medical settings, law enforcement, etc. We can be present as seconds in live hearings.

Options and Information

We can provide information regarding your rights, how to report, accessing resources and supportive measures on and off campus, and psychoeducation. This can look like adjustments to on-campus housing, financial aid, class schedules, no-contact orders, academic advocacy, and more.

Throughout this process we do not tell you what to do. You have the right to autonomy and choice, and can choose to move forward or not on any of the options avaiable to you, without fear of judgment.

Connection to Resources

Both on and off campus, we can help you get connected to mental health services, medical care, and legal services (criminal or civil).

Safety Planning

Identifying grounding strategies, safe housing, assisting with protective orders, and assisting the survivor to create safety strategies.

Questions About Advocates

How do I know if I should contact an advocate?

Contact an advocate if you have a concern about your relationship, such as a concern about abusive or uncomfortable experiences where your boundaries are being violated; feel afraid for your safety due to the actions of another person; hear from others that they are concerned that someone in your life is sexually harassing, stalking, abusing, exploiting, or bullying you; or have had an uncomfortable and unwanted experience related to sexual and relationship violence.

Sometimes we do not have the language for what has happened, or worry that it was not “enough” to require help. However big or small, certain or nervous, settled or new, you can reach out! Sometimes through talking about it, we feel something new.

Is there a cost for or a limit on the appointments?

Services are free to all Reed students and are not limited to a set number of appointments.

If I contact you, do you make a report to Title IX?

Advocates do not report to the college unless asked to do so by the survivor. Advocacy services are protected by confidentiality and privilege. This means that the content of our communications is kept absolutely confidential and is resistant to subpoena in a court of law. If the survivor requests support measures that require disclosure of relevant aspects of our communication, we will work with them to create a release of information that protects this privilege to the fullest extent while coordinating such support.

There are limitations to confidentiality, including disclosure of child abuse, serious intent to harm others, or imminent threat to the safety of yourself and others. We will walk you through every step of the way.

Contact SHARE Program Director L. Mattson
Confidential Advocate (on campus)
mattsonl@reed.edu
503-517-7699
Gray Campus Center, Room 103

Contact Call to Safety (community & crisis advocacy)
Local: 503-235-5333; 24/7 Emergency: 1-888-235-5333

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