Confidential Advisor

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Last Updated: Jun 29, 2026, 09:59 AM

Schedule an Appointment

Saluki Health Portal

Confidential Advisor

Phone: (618) 536-4441
Email: confidentialadvisor@siu.edu

In-person: Wellness and Health Promotion Services, first floor of the Student Health Center

Virtual visits are also available.

Confidential Advising

Confidential Advising services provide free and confidential support to survivors of gender-based violence. Students who have experienced sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking may access the support, resources, and information they need to safely continue their studies.

The Confidential Advisor is not an investigator, nor involved in the conduct process. Rather, the Confidential Advisor is an advocate for student survivors, providing a safe space to explore options and get connected to supportive services. 

If you have recently experienced physical abuse or sexual assault, it is advisable to seek medical assistance, as these violent acts can have long term health risks. If you are in an active stalking or abuse situation and you feel you are in danger, call 911.

What can a confidential advisor provide?

  • Emotional support and non-judgmental listening 
  • Education about trauma and violence 
  • Information about reporting options 
  • Assistance with filing reports and notifying local law enforcement 
  • Assistance accessing academic support 
  • Changes to on-campus living and dining assignments 
  • Changes to on-campus work assignments 
  • Transportation assistance and police escorts 
  • Safety planning and requests for No Contact Orders 
  • Referrals to other services including medical care, counseling, and community resources 
The Confidential Advisor can work with you to determine what supportive measures are appropriate and get them put in place.

Directions to fill out and submit Consent to Disclose Form:

  1. To begin, click the Consent to Disclose Form (pdf)
  2. Save PDF to your desktop
  3. Open the document with Adobe Reader and digitally sign by typing in your name on each page.
  4. Save the file.
  5. Select the Add files icon on the screen
  6. Browse and select the Consent to Disclose document that you saved after signing
  7. Type in Your name and your email address
  8. Click Upload
  9. You will receive an email receipt that you uploaded a document to "Uploaded documents"

How to help a friend

If you know someone who has been a victim of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking there are three simple things you can do to help.

Hear what they’re saying and acknowledge that it is difficult to talk about abuse. Allow them to tell their story in their own time, in their own way, and in their own words. Use active listening skills like making eye contact and maintaining open body language to show them you are listening.

Offer them options or assist them in finding help. Remember to allow them space to make their own decisions and to respect their choices. This may mean that your friend may choose not to seek help, report abuse, or leave an abusive relationship.

Support your friend by letting them know that you believe them and that you will be there for them.

Survivor Support

Get Help

If you are a victim or survivor, you are not alone. SIU and the surrounding community has resources available to help you. If you are in need of immediate medical attention or have an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

Medical Care

Legal Assistance

  • Department of Public Safety, SIU Police
    • Help to make a police report
    • Trueblood Hall, Lower Level 
    • (618) 453-3771
  • Office of Equity and Compliance
    • Investigates instances of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, retaliation, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking
    • Woody Hall (C Wing)
    • (618) 453-4807
  • Student Rights and Responsibilities
    • Determines violations of student conduct code and issues sanctions
    • Student Services Building, Room 497
    • (618) 536-2338

Survivor Support

Confidential Services

  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
    • Confidential Counseling Services
    • Student Health Services 
    • (618) 453-5371
  • Confidential Advising Services
    • Confidential Victim Support and Advocacy Services
    • Student Health Center, Wellness
    • (618) 453-4429
  • Saluki Cares
    • Support for students in distress
    • Student Services Building, Room 486
    • (618) 453-1492

Transportation

  • Night Safety Transit
    • Safe transportation for SIU students
    • Student Services Building, Room 486
    • 618-453-2212

Your Rights

Your rights in a University Investigation

You have many rights when you make a report to the university. These include the right to file a grievance against the accused, the right to an advisor of your choice in the process, the right to see the investigative report after the investigation is concluded, the right to respond to the investigative report, and the right to have an advisor cross-examine the accused and/or witnesses at the hearing.

In addition, you also have the right to...

  • Receive support from the University in obtaining counseling and other support, including access to SIU's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) who provides free confidential counseling for students.
  • Be aided by the University, with interim measures as appropriate, in obtaining a learning and working environment that is safe and secure.
  • Be informed by University officials of options to contact proper law enforcement authorities, including University and local police, and the option to be assisted in contacting the police by University Officials to file a case or to respond to claims.
  • Be informed by University officials of options to pursue a complaint through the University's investigatory and disciplinary process or to respond to complaints.
  • Be informed of the nature, rules, and procedures of the University's investigatory and disciplinary processes and to be provided copies of applicable university policies and procedures.
  • Be treated with respect by University officials throughout the process.
  • Be free of retaliation.
  • Request removal of any investigator or hearings examiner to be removed on the basis of bias and/or conflict of interest.
  • Have the opportunity to participate in the process to the extent you choose.
  • Be informed of the findings of an investigation.
  • Appeal the findings.

Interim Measures

Once you report an incident of sex-based misconduct, you have the right to receive interim measures. The interim measures can include academic modifications (request a class change, request a make-up assignment, request an excused absence), housing modifications (request University housing change), requesting a no-contact order preventing the Respondent from contacting you.

Self-Care

  • Physical self-care

    After trauma, it’s important to keep your body healthy and strong.

    Try to:

    • Ensure you are getting enough rest. Nap if you need to.
    • Remember to eat foods to help you feel strong and healthy.
    • Create a quite space at home that makes you feel safe and comfortable.

  • Emotional self-care

    • Spend time with supportive people.
    • Enjoy fun activities that bring you joy.
    • Try keeping a journal to help you process your feelings.

Filing a Report:

If you are a victim of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking you have the right to report the crime. Southern Illinois University Carbondale has several reporting options available to you.

Option One: Report to Police

  • If the situation took place off-campus, call your local police department
  • If the situation took place on campus, call the Department of Public Safety at (618) 453-3771.
  • If it is an emergency, call 911.

Option Two: Report to SIU

Whether or not the situation took place on or off-campus, call the Office of Equity and Compliance at (618) 453-4807 to report to the University or

  • File a crime report at SAFE.SIU.EDU
  • Tell a faculty or staff member. They MUST report this to SAFE.SIU.EDU. This report is NOT a police report. They may NOT keep this information confidential.

If you would like to speak to someone who can maintain confidentiality, students can do so by contacting Confidential Advising Services at (618) 453-4429.

When it is reported, someone from the Office of Equity and Compliance will contact you about a possible investigation. An investigation will not always be required.

The University may also be able to provide assistance and remedies to a survivor of these crimes, whether or not an investigation is requested.

Option Three: Report to Police, but not to SIU

If you make a police report, the police will share this information with SIU through the Office of Equity and Compliance. If you do not wish for SIU to investigate, you may discuss this option with the Office of Equity and Compliance staff when they contact you after they have received the police report.

Option Four: Report to SIU, but not to the police

You do NOT have to make a police report to make a report to SIU. SIU will investigate, or provide remedies, even if a police report is not made.

Option Five: Report to no one

Even if you decide not to report to anyone, you still have access to services to help you. You can, for example, still seek confidential medical care, counseling, and support services from a Confidential Advisor by appointment.

Remember: ANYONE who works for the University is a mandated reporter, unless they work for the Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, or is a Confidential Advisor for the university. If you report to anyone else on campus, they MUST report your concerns to the Office of Equity and Compliance through the SAFE.SIU.EDU page.