Contact the PEAR Advocate
You can contact the PEAR advocate by call or text at 978.594.7089.
Empathetic Support After an Incident
When contacted, the PEAR advocate will assess safety, and provide survivor-centered support for the individual. The advocate will also briefly be able to talk through trauma response and help the student understand what to expect physically and psychologically. The advocate can help survivors with access to confidential counseling or mental health services as appropriate. The advocate is also able to access a translation service with over 200 languages to support the survivor in the language that they feel most comfortable with.
Options and Rights
The advocate can talk through options for medical attention, including the gathering of evidence as well as what to expect when seeking medical attention and how to access hospital accompaniment. The advocate can also share health services available on campus.
Survivors will be notified of their rights under Title IX and SSU policies. The advocate can talk through options for reporting as well as what can be expected during the reporting process. Students are not required to report to access PEAR services but may report to University Police or local police department. They may also report to Student Life to report a violation of the student code of conduct.
Connections to Local Resources
The advocate can provide information for community-based survivor resources, including , or other local and national resources.
Assistance in Reporting (If You Choose)
The advocate can provide assistance with filing a report to Student Life, University Police, and/or local police, if a survivor chooses. PEAR can help explain these processes and provide support and guidance. A survivor will not receive legal counsel or advice.
Follow-Up and Check-In
PEAR will follow-up within 48-hours of the initial call or text with safety assessment, a reminder of access to resources, and a conversation about options for reporting. At the survivor’s request, PEAR can follow up again 5-7 days later to check in on safety, access to resources, and options for reporting. A survivor can decline these secondary check-ins.