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What is an Advocate? 

A CARE Advocate is a certified professional staff member that is available if you would like confidential help in sorting through your resources and options. CARE Advocates operate within an empowerment model of support, aiming to provide those impacted by violence with their rights and options, on- and off-campus resources, and supporting whichever path you feel is best for you at this time. We welcome students, faculty, and staff— as well as support individuals — to meet with us in a safe and confidential space.

CARE Advocates:

  • Are certified professional staff that assist victims/survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking.
  • Can be with you during interviews, phone calls, line-ups, or any other proceedings that involve criminal or administrative reports.
  • Provides accompaniment to case related meetings and/or hearings.
  • Do not share information with campus administrators, law enforcement, or any other entities unless you provide us with expressed written consent (with the clear exception of issues concerning possible child abuse, elder abuse, or threat to self or others).

Victims and survivors are entitled to have the assistance of a certified victim advocate at all times (CA Penal Code 679.04). The information you choose to share with your CARE at SARC advocate is privileged, protected, and therefore confidential.

To connect with an advocate email careadvocate@ucsd.edu or call our phone line (858) 534-5793. 

Confidentiality

Following a traumatic event like a sexual assault, relationship violence or stalking, a survivor may not know who to turn to. CARE Advocates are here to provide a confidential space in order to discuss your experience and promote access to meaningful services. By providing a confidential and non-judgemental space CARE Advocates will be able to provide survivors with a care plan that meets the needs of the survivor.  

What is confidentiality? What you tell your CARE advocate cannot be shared with anyone without your explicit written permission. Communication with your advocate is legally protected and kept private. The information you share will not be disclosed to anyone outside of the CARE team without your explicit permission, with these exceptions:

  • Per CANRA - (Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act): Child (17 years or younger), elder or dependent adult abuse is suspected or disclosed. 
  • There is reason to believe there may be imminent risk of harm to you or others. 

Crisis Intervention and Safety Planning

A CARE Advocate provides crisis intervention to survivors, helping them process emotions, explain rights and options, and develop safety plans. Crisis intervention is available to survivors and any friends, partners, housemates, colleagues, or family members of the survivor.

Reporting Options & Rights

CARE at SARC is not the reporting office, but rather is here to support survivors and those supporting survivors navigate and learn more about the reporting process and reporting entities like Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) and law enforcement. Survivors are entitled to have the assistance of a certified victim advocate throughout the criminal justice process and Title IX process. The information survivors choose to share with their CARE at SARC advocate is privileged, protected, and therefore confidential.

Deciding to report or not report can be overwhelming. CARE Advocates are available to discuss a survivor’s reporting rights and options–whether that is reporting to the police, reporting to the university or not reporting at all at this time. Additionally, CARE advocates can discuss safety measures such as protective orders like no contact orders or restraining orders and how to obtain them.

Accompaniment

A CARE Advocate can accompany a survivor to appointments and interviews throughout a reporting process, such as:

  • Making a police report
  • Medical evidentiary/forensic exam. Including support with access to transportation to and from exams. 
  • Filing a report with OPHD
  • Interviews with law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office and/or OPHD
  • Court Hearings

Case Management

A CARE Advocate can help a survivor navigate various options related to their unique situation:

  • Coordinating meetings and communications with law enforcement, the district attorney’s office, OPHD, etc.
  • Connection to resources that are helpful in obtaining protective restraining orders
  • Providing ongoing advocacy and support
  • Connection with on campus and off campus resources that provide individual and group counseling and other healing opportunities

Academic, Housing and Employment Concerns

If a survivor’s academics, housing or employment is being negatively impacted due to an assault or abuse, a CARE Advocate can assist by working with other campus departments, landlord/housing agencies, and/or employers.

Transportation 

A survivor’s access to resources and appointments that are necessary following an incident is important. In an effort to decrease barriers to access, CARE advocates provide transportation access and support for forensic exams, access to community resources, court hearings, and police department appointments.

Resource Referrals

A CARE Advocate can help a survivor get connected to other resources, both on- and off-campus services, that aid in the healing process. This may include:

  • Medical providers
  • Domestic violence organizations
  • Rape crisis centers
  • District Attorneys and Family Justice Center
  • Off campus therapists/counselors 
  • Basic needs resources
  • Legal support services

Connect with Support Services

If you or a friend has an experienced sexual assault, stalking, or relationship violence and would like support services, please call (858) 534-5793 or email careadvocate@ucsd.edu.