To schedule a meeting with the Student Advocacy and Prevention Coordinator, Katy Bednarsky, you can stop by her office located in Feather House (17 Cattell Street), in Office 210. You can also reach her by calling (610) 330-3331 or by emailing bednarsk@lafayette.edu.
What can I expect when meeting with the Student Advocacy and Prevention Coordinator?
Informed consent and confidentiality policy – The Student Advocacy and Prevention Coordinator is one of three confidential resources on campus and the only resource entirely dedicated to addressing interpersonal violence. What you share with Coordinator will remain confidential, unless there is a duty to warn and protect or disclosed instances of ongoing child abuse.
Brief needs assessment – You are in the driver’s seat of what you want to happen next. The Coordinator will work with you where you are at right now in your healing journey.
Information about reporting options on campus and in the community – You can discuss with the Coordinator your various options through on campus, internal grievance processes and what reporting in the community looks like. Meeting with the Coordinator does not trigger any type of investigation or reporting process.
Advocacy resources (counseling, medical, academics, legal) – The Coordinator is here to serve as your liaison and advocate in getting you connected to the most appropriate resources based on your presenting needs.
Emotional and administrative support – You can work with the Coordinator as your prepare for your hearing, impact statement, or any other administrative needs as they arise.
Psychoeducation on the impact of trauma and cycle of violence – Not sure why you are having trouble sleeping? Feeling like you are always on edge or have a hard time concentrating in class? You and the Coordinator can learn about the ways in which trauma can impact our bodies and shows up in our day to day lives.
Referrals to both on and off campus resources – The Coordinator is here to facilitate the warm hand off in our on and off campus resource to support in the continuity of care.
Individualized safety planning – Learn various collaborative strategies to navigate the campus in an empowering way.
Accompaniment at meetings – The Coordinator can be a physical presence at various meetings to support in your recovery.
What is advocacy?
Advocacy Is:
Trauma-informed: understanding the complex and complicated impact that trauma may have on a student.
Survivor-centered: the goal is to reduce the burden on survivors as they navigate their recovery. The student is the expert within their own experience and will be driving the decision making process.
Empowerment-based: I don’t believe in telling anyone what to do; rather, I provide information to help survivors make fully-informed decisions
Advocacy Isn’t:
A substitute for counseling: Advocacy might feel therapeutic, but it isn’t therapy.
Medical Advice: While I encourage survivors to access medical care, I do not provide medical advice.
Legal advice: I can connect with and work closely with local and national agencies who provide legal services for survivors.