Confidential Advocacy
Confidential Advocacy is a confidential resource for addressing sexual assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and harassment.
The Confidential Advocate is part of the Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) team and provides support, survivor outreach, coordination of support services, and assistance with decision-making to SSU students, staff, and faculty who are impacted or victimized by interpersonal violence or harassment.
All are welcome. We strive to acknowledge, accept, and support the perspectives of a diverse campus population. This includes, but is not limited to, race/ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, religious/spiritual affiliation, socio-economic status, and immigration status.
For a summary of Confidential Advocacy, please see our brochure
Meet the Advocate!
Click here to learn more about Kellie!
- Office Location: Noma Cares Central, in Zinfandel Village
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
- Phone: (707) 664-2698
Follow the SSU Advocacy Instagram!
Time Sensitive Support Options
If you experienced a sexual assault in the last five days, you are entitled to a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam. It is entirely your choice if you choose to participate.
Reason for exam:
The purpose of the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam is to collect evidence that may be important should a survivor choose to move forward with a law enforcement report. The decision whether or not to file a report does not need to happen in order to participate in the exam. A specialized nurse will support the survivor through the exam, and ensure their consent and comfortability through the process. In some cases, birth control, medication, and testing are also offered during this process.
Participants:
It is your choice who you would like in the exam room with you during this process. You are allowed to bring an advocate, family member, friend, or support person if you choose. You may have up to two individuals with you in addition to the SART nurse.
How to request a SART exam:
If you would like to participate in a SART exam, you can let a member of law enforcement know directly, connect with the Sonoma State advocate ((707)-664-2698) during business hours or a Verity advocate ((707)-545-7273) after hours, or notify a medical professional.
Important steps to take if you're considering a SART exam:
To preserve any evidence for the exam, avoid showering, bathing, washing clothing items, brushing teeth, smoking, eating, or drinking if possible.
As a reminder, you deserve support, respect, and care throughout this process. Please reach out for support or more information.
Confidential Advocacy is...
A supportive place to start.
The office of Confidential Advocacy brings a holistic approach to supporting survivors. Advocates provide affirming, empowering, free, confidential support through a non-judgmental, compassionate approach to exploring all options, rights, and resources.
It is always your decision to pursue any of the available resources, and you can access support without reporting to the police, OPHD, or the university. We are here to support your decisions. We are NOT reporting employees. We are confidential. We encourage you to ask questions if you have any concerns or hesitations.
A space for safety, respect, and care.
If you've experienced sexual harassment, sexual violence, dating/intimate partner/domestic violence, stalking, and/or cyber-harassment, please know that what happened is not your fault. Whatever feelings you may be experiencing are valid -- there is no one response to sexual harassment or violence.
You may be experiencing a wide range of feelings such as shock, fear, disbelief, recurring memories, outrage, confusion, sadness, despair, anger, and many more. All of your feelings are valid. Whether you tell someone, who you tell, and how you tell your story, is entirely your decision. Regardless of what you decide, there are people at SSU who are committed to helping you whether you're a student, staff person, or faculty.
Survivor Support.
Our full-time professional staff are California state-certified crisis counselors for sexual assault and domestic violence. We are available to our entire campus community: survivors and loved ones, students, faculty, and staff.
Our advocates can provide the following services:
- 1:1 confidential crisis intervention, support, and safety planning.
- Trauma-informed and survivor-centered information and validation regarding common feelings, experiences, and questions regarding reporting & healing processes.
- Accompaniments to protective orders, Title IX proceedings, medical forensic exams, law enforcement interviews, legal proceedings, etc.
- Referrals for academic, administrative, and/or housing advocacy & community support services
- Ongoing survivor support
Confidential Resources
Sonoma State Confidential Advocate
- Location: Noma Cares Central, Zinfandel 130
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
- Phone: (707) 664-2698
Sonoma State Counseling & Psychological Services
- Location: Modular Building 17A (behind Salazar Hall)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (707) 665-2153 (24/7)
Verity
(707) 545-7273 (24/7)
YWCA Sonoma County
(707) 546-1234 (24/7)
Non-Confidential/Reporting Resources
Sonoma State Police Department
- Location: In between Sauvignon and Verdot Villages
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (707) 664-4444 or 911 (24/7)
Sonoma State Office for the Prevention of Harassment & Discrimination
- Location: International Hall, 2nd Floor
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (707) 664-4140
Click on the above image for additional information on options and resources
Solidarity Statement
The Office of Confidential Advocacy stands in support of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and against systemic racism and violence that has resulted in trauma and loss of valued lives. Black Lives Matter. Gender- and power-based violence is rooted fundamentally in power and control and is inextricably tied to the systems and institutions that perpetuate systemic racism. The issues of racial injustice and gender- and power- based violence directly intersect, and we cannot fully support survivors and dismantle rape culture without committing to the liberation of all marginalized identities.
Events!
CAPS and Confidential Advocacy at Sonoma State will host our annual Take Back the Night event on April 30th, 2026 in support of the larger global mission to end all forms of sexual violence. While Take Back the Night acknowledges the realities of sexual violence, it is ultimately a space rooted in empowerment and hope. It celebrates courage, honors survival, and reinforces that change is created when we stand together. At Take Back the Night 2026, we hope to create an empowering, survivor-centered space focused on healing, solidarity, and collective strength.
This year, our event will feature:
- Snacks, drinks, and dinner provided
- Excerpts from Eve Engler's famous play, Vagina Monologues
- A motivational speaker passionate about ending sexual violence and supporting survivors
- An empowering community circle where students will have the opportunity to speak out and share how sexual violence has impacted them or someone they love
Whether you were impacted yourself, know someone impacted, or simply want to support your fellow students, you all are welcome here. Take Back the Night starts with how we show up - together. Dinner will be provided!
