Advocacy & Accompaniment

Many survivors must weigh their options regarding safety, medical care, reporting, and academic support. Our counselors are specially trained to assist survivors with safety planning, reporting options, medical advocacy, and academic advocacy.

Safety Planning
Sometimes survivors are still at risk of harm when they speak with us. For instance, you might be in a relationship with an abusive partner. We can help you with a safety plan, which includes assessing your risk of harm and coming up with ways to mitigate as much of that risk as we can.

Reporting Options
Some survivors want to report to the University or the police; others might never want to report. Part of advocacy is discussing your options regarding reporting. A SARP counselor will never tell you what to do, but will help you weigh your decision. If you choose to report, we will assist you through the process, including accompanying you to appointments and meetings.

Medical Advocacy
Sometimes survivors are concerned about their physical health due to the trauma they experienced. Part of advocacy is helping students understand the potential impact on their physical health and options to address it. For instance, a SARP counselor can assist a survivor of sexual assault in accessing medical care or specialized exams.

Academic Advocacy
Some survivors will experience a disruption in their coursework. Advocacy can include academic support to help you navigate this disruption. We can assist you in requesting leniency from professors or even help you take a leave of absence from school.

How to schedule an appointment

You can schedule an appointment online, by phone, or by visiting our office.

To schedule online:

Schedule by phone:

  • Call (617) 353-7277 to speak with a counselor during business hours.
    If you call over the weekend, or after 5pm on a weekday, let the phone ring until you hear a voice message that instructs you to press 1 to leave a non-urgent voicemail or 2 to speak urgently with the crisis counselor on call.

Schedule in person:

  • Walk into the SARP office located on the Charles River Campus at 930 Commonwealth Ave, 1st Floor, Boston, MA 02215.