The Livewell Confidential Advocates provides a safe and confidential space to help students, faculty and staff identify what they want or need after an incident of sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking has occurred.
Confidential Advocates do not report incidents to the University. We provide safe places to help individuals understand their rights and options including what options they have for reporting both on campus and in the larger community, always with the understanding that it is up to the individual to decide if they would like to report or not. Speaking with an Advocate is not reporting to the University or police. Advocates are confidential and your information will not be shared. If you do chose to make a report they are available to support you through the reporting and court process.
Make an UW Confidential Advocate appointment:
To schedule directly with a UW Confidential Advocate please email lwadvoc@uw.edu. Advocates serve all UW faculty and staff (from any campus including UW Medicine), and UW-Seattle undergraduate and graduate students.
**Please note that Brittany (Bowhall) Larsen has transitioned out of the role of Confidential Advocate as of June 14th, 2024 and into a different, non-confidential role at UW** Please contact lwadvoc@uw.edu if you have questions about this.
Email lwadvoc@uw.edu with any questions or issues scheduling. Advocates work business hours and are not available on weekends or evenings. If you have an urgent need for support after hours you can receive support on campus 24/7 at the UW Emergency Department or from MySSP (24/7 mental health crisis support available via phone, text, or chat).
Why Make an Appointment or Referral?
- Have a safe, non-judgmental space to discuss what happened.
- Discuss how the incident may be impacting your work, and or academic experience
- Learn about sexual health services on campus (including emergency contraception and sti testing and treatment)
- Learn about your rights and reporting options
- Discuss what happens when you make a report to the University through Title IX or UCIRO
- Learn about SANE (sexual assault forensic exams) and where to get them for free by trained medical professionals
- Discuss how to make a report to the police
- Make a safety plan
- Learn about protection orders
- Get connected to specialized trauma-informed therapy
For an overview of Title IX and UW reporting options visit Know Your Rights and Resources, a guide produced by the University of Washington Office of the Title IX Coordinator.
What’s the Difference?
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LiveWell Confidential Advocates:
Are LiveWell Advocates confidential? Yes: LiveWell Advocates are have confidentiality protections under the law. Advocates provide confidential services for students, faculty and staff. The information you tell us is not shared with any other UW person, office, or service without your permission.
Is LiveWell a reporting office?: No. LiveWell Confidential Advocates provide a safe place to tell your story without reporting. Advocates can help you understand and access campus and community reporting options if you want to report.
Do LiveWell Advocates provide safety planning? Yes. A LiveWell Confidential Advocate can help you safety plan and take steps to protect your personal information and plan out strategies for safety.
Do LiveWell Advocates provide support and advocacy for during a reporting process? Yes. Advocates can support you through a reporting process by being present and helping you understand the process as you go through it. Whether you chose to report to police or Title IX or another campus reporting office, Advocates can be with you during each step.
Is Safe Campus confidential? No. Safe Campus is a part of Campus Community Safety at UW and shares information they receive with Title IX and other campus resources and services. You can chose to remain anonymous when you call Safe Campus but the information Safe Campus receives will be shared with Title IX and other campus entities and resources.
Is Safe Campus a reporting office? No. Safe Campus is not a reporting office. They can help connect people who want to report. Safe Campus shares information they receive with other campus entities like Title IX and HR who are reporting offices.
Does Safe Campus Provide Safety Planning? Yes. Safe Campus can help you safety plan and take steps to protect your personal information and plan out strategies for helping with your safety and then will make referrals to other campus services like Confidential Advocates for follow up and additional support.
Does Safe Campus provide support and advocate for you during a reporting process? No. Safe Campus does not provide ongoing advocacy during a reporting process.
Title IX Coordinators and Title IX Case Managers:
Are Title IX Coordinators and Case Managers confidential? No. Title IX is apart of Compliance Services at UW. Information shared with Title IX is reviewed for reporting purposes in compliance with Title IX law. Title IX case information may be shared with others on campus for reporting outcomes and resource referrals.
Is Title IX a reporting office: Yes individuals who contact Title IX wishing to make a report will first be directed to fill out an incident report (online reporting form) which will be reviewed and assessed by Title IX Case Managers and the Title IX Investigation Office to see if a Title IX violation has occurred and whether or not further investigation can be conducted.
Do Title IX Coordinators or Case Managers provide safety planning? No. Title IX Coordinators and Case Managers will refer you to an appropriate resource like Confidental Advocates, Safe Campus, or UW Police for safety planning.
Do Title IX Coordinators and Case Managers provide support and advocate for you during a reporting process? No. Title IX does not provide ongoing advocacy during a reporting process. They will refer you to Confidential Advocates or Respondant Resources for support and ongoing advocacy through the reporting process.
Are the UW Police Confidential? No. Information shared with UW Police will be reviewed and investigated. UW Police may notify other campus units and resources regarding reports they receive or for referrals and support.
Is UW PD a reporting office: Yes individuals who contact UW PD wishing to make a report can speak with a UWPD Officer to file a report. A UW PD Officer will conduct an initial interview which then will be reviewed and assessed to see if crime has occured and whether or not further investigation is needed.
UWPD Provide Safety Planning? Yes. UWPD can help you safety plan and take steps to protect your personal information and plan out strategies for helping with your safety. They may make additional referrals to other campus services like Confidential Advocates for follow up and support.
Does UW PD provide support and advocate for you during a reporting process? No. UW PD not provide ongoing advocacy during a reporting process. They will refer you to Confidential Advocates for support and ongoing advocacy through the reporting process.
Is UW HR confidential? No. UW HR may share information they receive with appropriate University members. This may be Title IX, Safe Campus, supervisors, unit leads, or divisional leadership.
Is UW HR a reporting office: Yes individuals can contact HR to make a report which will be reviewed and assessed by HR to see if a compliance violation has occurred and whether or not further investigation is needed. UW HR may make referrals when appropriate to Title IX and UW PD.
Does HR provide safety planning? No. HR will refer you to an appropriate resource like Confidental Advocates, Safe Campus, or UW Police for safety planning.
Does UW HR provide support and advocate for you during a reporting process? No. UW HR does not provide ongoing advocacy during a reporting process. They will refer you to Confidential Advocates for support and ongoing advocacy through the reporting process.
Online Police Reporting Tool: SEEK THEN SPEAK
SEEK THEN SPEAK is an innovative online tool for sexual assault survivors and support people. While you are using this online tool, you will remain anonymous as long as you choose. Also none of your information is stored or saved in the program; when you exit the program/window, it deletes all information and responses. In SEEK, you can privately gather information and explore your options for medical care, supportive services, and reporting to police. If you choose, you can even begin the process of reporting to police by completing a self-guided interview in SPEAK. This program is designed to address sexual assault crimes, not sexual harassment or violations of policies (at work, on campus, in the military, etc.). If you want to learn more about UW campus reporting options or have an UW Confidential Advocate review the SEEK THEN SPEAK program with you, please schedule a time to meet with a UW Confidential Advocate. You can also learn more about UW Campus Reporting Options here.
How to Support a Victim of Sexual Assault & Relationship Violence
When a friend or family member is sexually assaulted you may struggle or wonder how to best support them. The resources below provide guidance on how to navigate these situations and provide support while respecting the victim’s privacy.
Additional Resources:
- NSVRC: The National Sexual Violence Resource Center
- King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
- PCAR Guide: A Guide for Friends and Family of Sexual Violence Survivors
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline
- New Beginnings: Ending Domestic Violence (King County)