Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

[Laura Haave <>]

To second what Elizabeth said – when we first established our survivor advocacy office at Northwestern University in Illinois, we created it in such a way that our legal counsel felt that it met the state guidelines for a DV or SA crisis center. This was not hard – it involved creating mission statements, staffing structures, etc. a particular way. We then had all staff complete the 40-hour trainings for DV and SA crisis workers. Our legal counsel was prepared to defend us against subpoenas after we took these steps.

 

Here in Minnesota, we are unable to do this because of differences in the law and how DV/SA crisis centers are defined. We are beginning to work with our state coalition to see whether there is any way to get us included. I am reluctant to try to establish “on-campus confidentiality” for our staff until we have also worked out the “off-campus confidentiality” bit. Students are confused enough about what confidentiality means as it is.

 

Take care,

Laura

 

Laura Anne Haave

Director, Gender and Sexuality Center

Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Sexual Violence Prevention

Carleton College

1 N. College Street

Northfield, MN 55057

(507) 222-7179

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Schedule a meeting with Laura online.

http://www.go.carleton.edu/gsc

http://www.go.carleton.edu/sexual_misconduct

 

 

From: Schrock Elizabeth [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2015 12:38 PM
To:
Subject: Re: support for making non-professional counselors and advocates confidential

 

Hi Stephanie:

 

It would be great for your Women’s Center staff to have that designation so that students feel comfortable disclosing to them and receiving support, and I strongly believe that there should be places for students to disclose confidentially on campus. 

 

However, it’s also important to note that in making this designation for Women’s Center staff at your college, that does not mean that they have the legal designation of “privilege” and can promise confidentiality off-campus. In other words, looking at your state statute, if your college is sued or if there is a criminal investigation/trial, your communications with a victim would not be protected and you may have to disclose them if you're subpoenaed unless your Women’s Center staff work for the DV or SA Crisis program that they received their 20-hour training/certification from (and be working for that agency when they are serving the victim) or if they are professional counselors/social workers and protected under their license. This has happened, and I can imagine that it feels like such a betrayal of trust for the victim/survivor when they previously believed that everything they told that staff person would be kept in confidence. 

 

It would be great if the new law being discuss in the senate committee right now would consider this and come up with a solution for us.

 

Take care,

 

Elizabeth

 

—

Elizabeth Schrock

Assistant Dean of Students

Whittier College

7214 Painter Ave.

Whittier, CA 90602

562-907-5122

 

From: "Morey, Patricia L" <>
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 8:25 AM
To: Stephanie McClure <>, "" <>
Subject: RE: support for making non-professional counselors and advocates confidential

 

Hi Stephanie,

We fought for this for more than a year before it happened. I brought it up to everyone and in everyplace when I had a meeting related to Title IX to encourage allies for the women’s center. All of that persistence was helpful, however, the biggest push (ironically) was our legal counsel! I encourage you to draft a policy statement on why the staff of your women’s center should have that designation. You should include why students seek your support (i.e., to get validation, explore information and options, to get mofre resources), and what your training is (i.e., what makes your staff especially suited for this role), and a protocol where you specifically list that reporting will be talked about as an option in that in initial session) to be used in training your staff and will be used every time a student discloses a Title IX issue. Hope this helpsJ Best wishes.

Pat Morey

 

Patricia L. Morey

Assistant Dean; Director

Women’s Resources Center

217.333.3137

http://www.go.illinois.edu/wrc

 

Note: Privacy may not be guaranteed as email is not a secure means of communication. Concerns regarding confidential matters are best addressed by calling or visiting the Women's Resources Center.

 

 

From: Stephanie McClure []
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2015 8:59 AM
To:
Subject: support for making non-professional counselors and advocates confidential

 

Hi Everyone, 

 

I'm wondering if anyone knows of additional resources beside the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault's Sample Language for Reporting and Confidentially Disclosing Sexual Violence publication that supports making non-professional counselors and advocates on universities to be designated privileged/confidential resources to students?

 

We are trying to push for this designation at our Women's Center and I could use all the evidence/support I can garner. 

 

Thanks,

 

--

Stephanie L. McClure

Director, Women's Center

Weber State University

Violence Preventionist

www.stephaniemcclure.com

View my profile on linkedin

Review my work HERE