The Women's Resources Center (WRC) is a designated confidential resource related to sexual assault/rape, sexual harassment, stalking and abuse within a relationship (sometimes called dating or domestic violence). That means when we talk with students, staff, and faculty who have experienced harm, we make sure you get what you need and on your terms! There are several Confidential Advisors at the WRC who can provide you — or someone looking to support you — with support and advocacy services.
Who can make an appointment?
Students, faculty, and staff survivors of all gender identities are welcome and able to receive advocacy and support services at the WRC, as are their support person(s).
Will appointments be confidential?
Confidential Advisors are trained in helping folx navigate options around sexual misconduct concerns. Confidential Advisors are not required to initiate a sexual misconduct report to the University or to the police. For more information on Confidential Advisors visit our FAQ page.
How to Access Advocacy (Support Services) with a Confidential Advisor
Currently, services are available by appointment, referral, or walk-in. Appointments can be made over the phone, or by email. The WRC utilizes a survivor-centered (what you need) approach to our work where empowerment is central.
In-person services:
- Can be accessed on weekdays from 9:00 am-5:00 pm
- Can be accessed on a walk-in basis or by making an appointment.
- Follow the university's guidance on masks and any testing requirements
To schedule a free appointment over the phone:
Call us at 217-333-3137 (select extension 2 when prompted) and leave the following limited pieces of information (voicemails are not confidential and we want to keep you as safe as possible):
- Your first name;
- A safe phone number where we can reach you; and
- Whether it is safe for us to leave you a voicemail when calling you back.
You will receive a follow up phone call from a confidential advisor within one business day.
To schedule a free appointment over email:
- Send an e-mail to the wrcadvocacy@illinois.edu requesting an appointment with a Confidential Advisor.
- In the e-mail, you will only need to mention that you want an appointment. We ask that no other details are shared, as email is not a confidential form of communication.
A Confidential Advisor will follow up by e-mail within one business day to schedule an appointment. For free, after hours (and 24/7) confidential support call the RACES Hotline (for sexual assault issues) at 217-384-4444 or the Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-384-4390. Additional support services and reporting options can be found at the University of Illinois We Care website.
Embedded Confidential Advisors
In partnership with La Casa Cultural Latina and the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC), Confidential Advisors provide onsite advocacy and support services to students, faculty, and staff and are located two days a week on Nevada Street in our partners' locations. Confidential Advisors are available in the WRC on alternate days to ensure campus coverage and accessibility.
Embedded confidential advisors strive to collectively address sexual violence and other forms of oppression by providing advocacy resources to survivors. A Confidential Advisor's main role as an employee of Illinois is to provide emergency and ongoing holistic support to survivors of sexual misconduct. Embedding this model within cultural centers on campus permits sexual violence prevention and response work to meet survivor needs in multiple locations, while engaging community strengths, and recognizing the barriers marginalized communities face when receiving support. This program was designed in partnership with both of our partners (staff and students), La Casa Cultural and BNAACC to ensure accessibility, culturally specific approaches, and ongoing collaboration and accountability.
Embedded Advocate Hours:
Tuesday 1pm - 5pm and Wednesday 12pm - 5pm @ BNAACC
Wednesday 1pm - 5pm and Thursday 11am - 4pm @ La Casa
