Confidential Advocates | NorthWest Arkansas Community College

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Confidential Advocates


NWACC's confidential advocates have been specially trained to provide affirming, empowering and confidential support for survivors and those who have experienced gendered violence, including: sexual harassment, dating and intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking and sexual exploitation. Confidential advocates are not licensed counselors. 

Any student who has a concern may contact an advocate. Advocates serve as non-judgmental campus consultants. The advocate will listen and explain options available to you while providing support. Advocates' responsibilities vary depending on their job description and where they work, but their responsibility in this role is to help students understand rights, options and resources.

Advocates will:

  • Listen to the experience(s) of the student victim/survivor
  • Assist with the immediate safety of a victim (or safety planning)
  • Provide information on victimization
  • Assist with the on-campus reporting process and procedures
  • Provide assistance with on-campus student support services
  • Provide options for off campus legal action

 

Contact Advocates:

Austin Schader
479-619-4371
aschader@nwacc.edu
Student Center, 233 A

Juanita Franklin
479- 619-2204
jfranklin1@nwacc.edu
Student Center, 223

Vince Pianalto
479-631-8604
vpianalto@nwacc.edu
Brightwater

Aria Kagan
479-631-8600
akagan@nwacc.edu
Brightwater

Cierra Collins
479-619-4315
ccollins15@nwacc.edu
Student Center, 225I

Eric Vest
479-619-4345
evest@nwacc.edu
Burns Hall, 2213

Simone Francis
479-725-4661
sfrancis4@nwacc.edu
Washington County, 110

 

Advocate Confidentiality Statement

The advocates are here to support your decisions.

It is the victim's/survivor's decision to pursue available resources or to report an incident to law enforcement or the College.  Although rare, there are times when the College may not be able to honor a victim's request for confidentiality. If a victim discloses an incident to an Advocate but wishes that no investigation into the incident be conducted or disciplinary action taken, the Advocate must weigh that request against the College's obligation to provide a safe environment for all students, including the victim.


Campus Reporting Online

NWACC provides an online reporting system for all student misconduct issues.  If you are a victim or witness activity perceived as a threat to anyone on campus, promptly report the incident. The report link is located in the left-side navigation of the Office of Community Standards webpage


Clery Act

The Clery Act is enforced by the United States Department of Education. Originally known as the Campus Security Act, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. NWACC is required by law to report statistics for all sexual assaults, but will protect the victim's identity.


On-Campus Counseling

Professional counselors are available for NWACC students (at no cost). Contact our Counseling & Wellness Center at counseling@nwacc.edu or (479) 619-4128 to schedule an appointment.

"Perhaps most important, we need to keep saying to anyone out there who has ever been assaulted, you are not alone. We have your back. I've got your back." - President Barack Obama (January 22, 2014)