Confidentiality
Safer Advocates are not considered Responsible Employees, which means that we are not required to report disclosures to Title IX, university officials, or law enforcement. Information you share with a Safer Advocate remains private and won’t be disclosed outside our office without your explicit consent (see Exceptions to Confidentiality). Confidentiality ensures you can assess your rights and available resources without initiating a formal report to the Office of Equity and Compliance/ Title IX, university officials, or law enforcement.
Exceptions To Confidentiality:
- If there is evidence of clear and imminent danger of harm to self and/or others
- Under California law, we must report any known or suspected abuse or neglect of a person under the age of 18 to child protective services or law enforcement.
- In certain legal situations, including a court order, we may be required to disclose information as necessary to comply with the law.
Safer Advocates are certified as Sexual Assault Counselors (California Code, Evidence Code – EVID § 1035.2) and Domestic Violence Counselors (California Code, Evidence Code – EVID § 1037.1). The California Evidence Code grants Counselors privileged communication with victims that protects confidential communication between the Counselor and survivor.
In all instances, we will make reasonable efforts to discuss with you the need for disclosure and what information will be disclosed. If you have any questions or concerns around confidentiality, please email us at safer@csulb.edu.
