Advocacy Services
What is a PLU Confidential Advocate?
The PLU Confidential Advocate is a trained individual who is confidential when it comes to incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence/domestic violence, stalking, and other sexual misconduct. Most PLU staff and faculty are required to report incidents of sexual misconduct, but the Confidential Advocate will not do so without your permission (see limitations below under “Confidentiality Explained”). Many students, staff, and faculty have found PLU’s Advocacy Services to be a good starting point for getting support.
What happens if someone reports my experience?
What can the Confidential Advocate do for you?
PLU’s Confidential Advocate provides individuals with options and resources so they can make informed decisions about their situation. They offer a safe, private setting to talk with individuals who have questions or concerns about sexual assault, stalking, intimate partner violence/domestic violence, and other similar experiences. Those who speak with the advocate can share as much or as little information about their situation as they like.
Who is the PLU Confidential Advocate?
Magdalena Stickel
Confidential Advocate
Assistant Director | Center for DJS
Office: AUC 156
Phone: 253-535-8204
Email: mks@plu.edu
Schedule an appointment with me here.
Or drop in to see me without an appointment, in person or virtual: Mondays 2pm-4pm or Thursdays 10am-Noon. For virtual drop-in appointments, email mks@plu.edu for meeting link.
Want to explore healing through art with us?
Join Creative Healing, an art group exclusively for PLU students who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, or stalking. No art experience necessary! The group is held on the 8th & 22nd each month from 4-5pm at a confidential location. Creative Healing is open to all genders, and you are not required to attend every meeting.
To learn more about the group or to sign up, please contact Magdalena.
Other Campus Resources
Health Services * 253-535-7337
Counseling Services * 253-535-7206
Campus Safety 253-535-7441
Campus Ministry * 253-535-7464
Residential Life 253-535-7200
Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities 253-535-7195
* Confidential resource
24-hour Community Hotlines
Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County
253-474-7273
www.sexualassaultcenter.com
Pierce County Domestic Violence Hotline
253-798-4166
www.aplaceofhelp.com/
Confidentiality Explained
Safety is a priority of the PLU Center for DJS Advocacy Services. To respect your privacy and help support your safety and right to make your own decisions, I will make every effort to keep what you tell me confidential as it pertains to sexual misconduct. Confidential information includes: written and spoken communication between you and the Confidential Advocate as it pertains to sexual misconduct; any records or written information identifying you as a client of the Confidential Advocate; and any information about services you received from the Confidential Advocate as it pertains to sexual misconduct.
Note: We cannot guarantee 100% confidentiality for electronic/virtual communications.
The Center for DJS Advocacy Services will not disclose anything about you without your permission, unless a legal exception exists. Legally, I am obligated to release confidential information if I am required by a court order. I am also compelled by law to inform an appropriate agency/individual if I believe that there is a clear, imminent risk of serious physical injury or death for you or others, or if there is an allegation that a child has been abused or neglected. If this is necessary, I will do my best to do so in consideration of and collaboration with you.
Note: As an institution of higher education, we are required by federal law to report data on crimes at PLU under the Clery Act, including sexual misconduct. Information you choose to share with the Confidential Advocate for data reporting will be non-identifying. This information would include: incident type, date of incident, date of data collection, and location of incident. You do not have to share this information in order to receive services from the Confidential Advocate.
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Falling under the definition of sexual assault are sexual activities as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape.
-United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women
Under Washington State law, sexual assault is defined in many different ways. For more information concerning how sexual assault is defined, please click here.
From the Pacific Lutheran University Student Rights and Responsibilities:
“Sexual Misconduct is a broad term encompassing any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that is committed without Consent (as PLU defines it in this policy) and/or by force, intimidation, coercion or manipulation. As defined by PLU, the term Sexual Misconduct includes Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse, Non-Consensual Sexual Contact, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Exploitation, and Sexual Intimidation. Sexual Misconduct can be committed by a person upon another regardless of gender, and it can occur between people of the same or different sex. It can occur between strangers or acquaintances, including people involved in a current or previous intimate or sexual relationship. Sexual Misconduct may vary in its severity and consists of a range of behavior.”
For more information, you can read the PLU Sexual Misconduct Policy.
The Center for Diversity, Justice, & Sustainability’s Advocacy Services* is a confidential resource that provides support for victims of sexual assault, including obtaining a Protection Order, learning how to increase their safety, and connecting with additional forms of support.
Other Campus Resources:
Health Center * 253-535-7337
Counseling Center * 253-535-7206
Campus Safety 253-535-7441
Campus Ministry * 253-535-7464
Residential Life 253-535-7200
Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities 253-535-7195
* Confidential resource
Northwest Network – The NW Network is an organization that works to end violence and abuse in lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender communities.
Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County – The Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County is a local organization that offers support and resources for those affected by sexual assault and abuse.
Sexual Assault Myths & Facts – The Sexual Assault Myths & Facts sheet debunks fifteen common myths about sexual assault.
RAINN – The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.
What is Stalking?
A pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Keeping in mind that context is key.
-National Stalking Resource Center
A person commits the crime of stalking if, without lawful authority and under circumstances not amounting to a felony attempt of another crime:
(a) He or she intentionally and repeatedly harasses or repeatedly follows another person; and
(b) The person being harassed or followed is placed in fear that the stalker intends to injure the person, another person, or property of the person or of another person. The feeling of fear must be one that a reasonable person in the same situation would experience under all the circumstances; and
(c) The stalker either:
(i) Intends to frighten, intimidate, or harass the person; or
(ii) Knows or reasonably should know that the person is afraid, intimidated, or harassed even if the stalker did not intend to place the person in fear or intimidate or harass the person.
(Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 9A.46.110. Stalking. (2007))
A person is guilty of cyberstalking if he or she, with intent to harass, intimidate, torment, or embarrass any other person, and under circumstances not constituting telephone harassment, makes an electronic communication to such other person or a third party:
(a) Using any lewd, lascivious, indecent, or obscene words, images, or language, or suggesting the commission of any lewd or lascivious act;
(b) Anonymously or repeatedly whether or not conversation occurs; or
(c) Threatening to inflict injury on the person or property of the person called or any member of his or her family or household.
Stalking Fact Sheet – Straight, to-the-point stalking statistics.
Stalking Resource Center – The Stalking Resource Center provides information and resources for victims of stalking.
SPARC – The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center provides education and resources about stalking.
Though PLU does not currently have a stand-alone stalking policy, stalking behavior is prohibited through policies related to Computer Use, University Violence Prevention, and Sexual Misconduct. You can visit the Student Code of Conduct Website to view these policies in full. Stalking is also prohibited under Title IX.
PLU will uphold the Washington state policies and laws around the issue of stalking in order to protect its students and preserve their individual rights.
The Center for Diversity, Justice, & Sustainability’s Advocacy Services* is a confidential resource that provides support for victims of sexual assault, including obtaining a Protection Order, learning how to increase their safety, and connecting with additional forms of support.
Other Campus Resources:
Health Center * 253-535-7337
Counseling Center * 253-535-7206
Campus Safety 253-535-7441
Campus Ministry * 253-535-7464
Residential Life 253-535-7200
Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities 253-535-7195
* Confidential resource
*24 Hour Resource
Community Resources
Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County*
253-474-7273
sexualassaultcenter.com
Pierce County Domestic Violence Hotline*
253-798-4166
aplaceofhelp.com
YWCA Pierce County*
253-383-2593
ywcapiercecounty.org
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Resources by County
wscadv.org/washington-domestic-violence-programs
National Resources
RAINN*
800-656-4673
rainn.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline*
800-799-7233
thehotline.org
The Deaf Hotline*
855-812-1001 (Video Phone)
thedeafhotline.org
Victim Connect
855-484-2846
victimconnect.org
Identity-Based Resources
API Chaya
877-922-4292 / 206-325-0325
apichaya.org/
Ujima (Black Community)
1-844-778-5462
ujimacommunity.org
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
206-816-3893 (Tacoma Office)
nwirp.org
Consejo Counseling and Referral Service (Latin@)
253-414-7461 (Tacoma Office)
consejocounseling.org
The Northwest Network (LGBTQ+)
206-568-7777
nwnetwork.org
1in6 (Men)*
Chat Helpline
1in6.org
StrongHearts Native Helpline*
844-762-8483
strongheartshelpline.org
What is Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)?
“Intimate partner violence” describes the specific kind of domestic violence (physical, sexual, or psychological harm or the infliction of fear of imminent physical, sexual, or psychological harm) perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples.
Violence by an intimate partner is linked to both immediate and long-term health, social, and economic consequences. Factors at all levels- individual, relationship, community, and societal, contribute to intimate partner violence. Preventing intimate partner violence requires reaching a clear understanding of those factors, coordinating resources, and fostering and initiating change in individuals, families, and society.
-National Institute of Justice
“Domestic violence” means: (a) Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, sexual assault, or stalking as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 of one intimate partner by another intimate partner; or (b) physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, sexual assault, or stalking as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 of one family or household member by another family or household member.
-Washington State Legislature, RCW 26.50.010
Center for Disease Control – The Center for Disease Control is a website that provides information and resources on intimate partner violence.
Domestic Violence Fact Sheet – The Domestic Violence Face Sheet provides information about the prevalence of domestic violence and the effects it can have on victims and survivors.
10 Healthy Signs and 10 Unhealthy Signs – 10 Signs of a Healthy Relationship and 10 Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship from the One Love Foundation give aspects of a relationship to strive for and to shift away from.
Power and Control Wheel – The Power and Control Wheel can help individuals identify patterns of abusive and violent behavior in relationships.
While PLU does not have a stand-alone policy for IPV, there do exist policies on sexual misconduct and violence prevention. Please visit PLU Student Rights and Responsibilities webpage for more information. The sections pertaining to Sexual Misconduct and Violence Prevention are particularly relevant.
PLU will uphold the Washington state policies and laws around the issue of IPV in order to protect its students and preserve their individual rights.
The Center for DJS’s Advocacy Services* is a confidential resource that provides support for victims of sexual assault, including obtaining a Protection Order, learning how to increase their safety, and connecting with additional forms of support.
Other Campus Resources:
Health Center * 253-535-7337
Counseling Center * 253-535-7206
Campus Safety 253-535-7441
Campus Ministry * 253-535-7464
Residential Life 253-535-7200
Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities 253-535-7195
* Confidential resource
*24 Hour Resource
Community Resources
Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County*
253-474-7273
sexualassaultcenter.com
Pierce County Domestic Violence Hotline*
253-798-4166
aplaceofhelp.com
YWCA Pierce County*
253-383-2593
ywcapiercecounty.org
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Resources by County
wscadv.org/washington-domestic-violence-programs
National Resources
RAINN*
800-656-4673
rainn.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline*
800-799-7233
thehotline.org
The Deaf Hotline*
855-812-1001 (Video Phone)
thedeafhotline.org
Victim Connect
855-484-2846
victimconnect.org
Identity-Based Resources
API Chaya
877-922-4292 / 206-325-0325
apichaya.org
Ujima (Black Community)
1-844-778-5462
ujimacommunity.org
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
206-816-3893 (Tacoma Office)
nwirp.org
Consejo Counseling and Referral Service (Latin@)
253-414-7461 (Tacoma Office)
consejocounseling.org
The Northwest Network (LGBTQ+)
206-568-7777
nwnetwork.org
1in6 (Men)*
Chat Helpline
1in6.org
StrongHearts Native Helpline*
844-762-8483
strongheartshelpline.org
Safety is a priority of the PLU Center for DJS Advocacy Services. To respect your privacy and help support your safety and right to make your own decisions, I will make every effort to keep what you tell me confidential as it pertains to sexual misconduct. Confidential information includes: written and spoken communication between you and the Confidential Advocate as it pertains to sexual misconduct; any records or written information identifying you as a client of the Confidential Advocate; and any information about services you received from the Confidential Advocate as it pertains to sexual misconduct.
Note: We cannot guarantee 100% confidentiality for electronic/virtual communications.
The Center for DJS Advocacy Services will not disclose anything about you without your permission, unless a legal exception exists. Legally, I am obligated to release confidential information if I am required by a court order. I am also compelled by law to inform an appropriate agency/individual if I believe that there is a clear, imminent risk of serious physical injury or death for you or others, or if there is an allegation that a child has been abused or neglected. If this is necessary, I will do my best to do so in consideration of and collaboration with you.
Note: As an institution of higher education, we are required by federal law to report data on crimes at PLU under the Clery Act, including sexual misconduct. Information you choose to share with the Confidential Advocate for data reporting will be non-identifying. This information would include: incident type, date of incident, date of data collection, and location of incident. You do not have to share this information in order to receive services from the Confidential Advocate.
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