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Providing comprehensive support and services that are trauma-informed to all parties affected by sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and interpersonal violence in order to build an environment on campus that is safe and equitable for all individuals experiencing these issues.
Advocacy Services Overview
Survivor Advocacy
To support and empower survivors, we provide confidential, compassionate support to survivors of sexual misconduct, harassment, or discrimination.
Survivor Advocacy offers individualized support for survivors of gender-based harm, including relationship violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and stalking.
The violence can have occurred recently, or we can support survivors who experienced trauma or abuse before coming to UMBC. This can be a one-time meeting, or we can offer ongoing support for as long as the survivor needs.
We can provide a confidential, nonjudgmental space for you to talk about your experiences, help you create a safety plan to address immediate and long-term safety concerns, provide education about common trauma reactions and help identify coping strategies, and/or share information about your legal rights and reporting options and help navigate campus and community resources.
Respondent Advocacy
We ensure that respondents also have access to fair, confidential advocacy and information.
Respondent Advocacy is designed to support those who are navigating the Title IX process as respondents in cases involving gender-based harm.
The program offers a compassionate, trauma-informed space that prioritizes education, emotional support, and personal growth. Through structured sessions and supportive dialogue, respondents are encouraged to reflect on their experiences, deepen their understanding of community values, and engage in meaningful self-awareness and behavioral development.
Our approach is non-punitive and rooted in empathy, aiming to foster insight and healing.
Referral Process
Individuals who would like to meet with an advocate can call, email, schedule online, or walk in to speak Women’s, Gender, & Equity Center staff member.
If you would like to refer someone you are working with, you can email womenscenter@umbc.edu or advocacy@umbc.edu and an advocate will reach out directly to connect.
The Women’s, Gender, & Equity Center and Advocacy Services is a confidential resource, meaning we do not share information with ECR/Title IX without consent.
Speaking with an advocate will not trigger a report to the Title IX Coordinator or otherwise be shared unless given permission to do so. The only exceptions to confidentiality are when there is clear and imminent danger that someone’s life is at risk, there is apparent or suspected abuse of a child or dependent adult, or there is a legal obligation to reveal such information under an enforceable court order.