At Santa Clara University, the Survivor Advocate offers compassionate, confidential support to individuals impacted by sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic and intimate partner violence, and stalking. Ashleigh Pezzoni has been serving the SCU community since September 2023 and brings over a decade of experience in survivor advocacy, beginning in 2014. Centering each survivor’s safety, healing, and choices, she provides both immediate assistance and ongoing care.
What is the role of Survivor Advocate?
As the Survivor Advocate, I offer confidential, compassionate support for anyone impacted by sexual or interpersonal harm. My goal is to provide a safe, judgment-free space where you can talk, explore options, and heal at your own pace. You are not alone. You matter. Your experience matters. Your healing matters.
How is this role different from the work that takes place in the Title IX office and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)?
At SCU, the Survivor Advocate role is here to provide confidential support for individuals who have experienced harm, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic or intimate partner violence, or stalking. I focus on helping survivors feel safe, supporting their choices, and connecting them to resources. This includes things like safety planning, exploring options, providing emotional support, and accompanying survivors if they choose to engage in a process, whether it’s meeting with other offices, attending hearings, or accessing medical care. I provide the space for survivors to maintain their agency throughout their healing journey.
CAPS also provides confidential support, but their focus is on mental health and counseling. They work with students to process trauma, manage stress or anxiety, and develop coping strategies through ongoing therapeutic support.
Title IX is a neutral space that supports both parties in a report, the person who experienced harm (complainant) and the person accused(respondent). They handle all informal and formal resolutions, investigations, supportives measures like no-contact directives, and academic or housing adjustments, all while remaining impartial. This neutrality allows both complainants and respondents to access protections, resources, and a fair process.
I’m here to support survivors, their safety, and their healing; CAPS helps with mental health and emotional care; and Title IX provides a neutral space for reporting and supportive measures. Each role is different, but all work together to make sure students are supported, informed, and empowered throughout the process.
How does the Survivor Advocate serve individuals on campus and help change campus culture by:
As the Survivor Advocate at SCU, I provide confidential, survivor-centered support to students, faculty, and staf impacted by sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic or intimate partner violence, or stalking. My support is not limited to experiences that happen while someone is at SCU. I can provide guidance and assistance for experiences that occurred before you were affiliated with the university.
Here’s how I serve individuals on campus while also changing campus culture:
Safety Planning: I work with individuals to create strategies to stay safe physically, emotionally, and digitally. This can include guidance for navigating social situations, campus spaces, or online interactions, as well as tools for communicating boundaries and protecting your well-being.
Information and Options:I provide clear, nonjudgmental information about your options, including reporting to Title IX, seeking medical care, accessing counseling, or exploring community resources. I help you understand each path so you can make informed decisions that feel right for you.
Emotional Support: I offer a safe space to process your experiences. This includes active listening, validation, and guidance in managing complex feelings. I focus on helping you identify your strengths, build coping strategies, and feel supported in your healing journey.
Accompaniment: If you choose to engage with other offices or processes, I can accompany you to meetings, medical appointments, or other steps. This provides support, advocacy, and reassurance during moments that might feel stressful or overwhelming.
Connecting to Resources: I connect survivors to a wide range of campus and community resources, including counseling, academic accommodations, housing support, legal resources, and specialized services. My goal is to make sure you have access to everything you need without feeling alone or unsupported.
Modeling Survivor-Centered Care: Through consistent support, I demonstrate how to center the voices and experiences of survivors, encouraging empathy, respect, accountability, and community care across campus.
Education and Awareness: I participate in campus committees and collaborate with student organizations, including but not limited to Associated Student Government (ASG), Santa Clara Community Action Program (SCCAP), and Social and Cultural Greek Letter organizations to foster understanding of respectful behavior, create safer spaces, and promote survivor-centered practices that acknowledge the impact of trauma.
Policy Guidance: I work closely with Title IX and campus partners to ensure policies are trauma-informed and allow for timely responses to students needing support after harm. My goal is to help you understand your options and make decisions in a way that prioritizes your safety and well-being.
Consultation for Faculty and Staff: I consult with faculty and staff on best practices for supporting students after disclosures of harm. This includes guidance on responding with sensitivity and care, ensuring survivors are met with understanding and respect, and promoting a trauma-informed academic environment, while connecting students to appropriate resources.
I provide a safe, supportive space, practical guidance, and ongoing accompaniment to survivors, their allies, and campus community members, ensuring that anyone affected by harm has the support, resources, and empowerment they need to heal.
You can reach out to the Survivor Advocate by email, phone, or in person at the Wellness Center. To schedule a meeting, please use the calendar link. We can meet in person, over Zoom, or by phone, whichever feels safest and most comfortable for you. All meetings are confidential, and your needs and boundaries will be fully respected.
Phone: 408-551-3307 Email: apezzoni@scu.edu