About

Welcome to the MiddSafe Online Advocate. This is a tool for peers in need of support and information around sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, and other personal violations. When you’re ready to get started, you will be asked a series of questions in order to find resources that might feel right to you.

The MiddSafe Online Advocate is an extension of MiddSafe Confidential Advocates. MiddSafe Advocates are Middlebury College students available to provide support surrounding sexual violence and other personal violations through our 24/7 hotline at 802-377-0239 or in person.

If you have any questions about the MiddSafe Online Advocate or MiddSafe Confidential Advocates, please refer to the FAQs below or contact an advocate at 802-377-0239.

FAQs

What is MiddSafe and who are MiddSafe Confidential Advocates?

MiddSafe Advocates are Middlebury College students committed to providing confidential resources to peers in need of support and information around sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, and other personal violations.

What is confidentiality and what are its limits?

Confidentiality is a legal status designated to individuals who will never discuss contacts or contents of conversations held in privilege with anyone except with other confidential resources with whom communication is necessary. Individuals acting in a confidential role take all precautions to ensure that the time, location, and volume of conversations limit the possibility of being overheard while maximizing the safety of the contact and resource.

Limits of confidentiality exist when there is a clear and substantial risk of physical danger to self, others, or the community. Such situations are high-risk and/or life-threatening when a person or others are endangered by themselves or someone else (e.g., threats of suicide, threats from others). When substantial risk is present, confidential individuals are required to report to the appropriate professional staff for immediate assistance in order to prioritize individual and community safety. Confidentiality may also be broken if there is a requirement by law (e.g., child abuse or a subpoena) or when confidentiality is waived by the victim/survivor.

What if I’m not sure what I experienced is considered sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, or is even a big deal?

MiddSafe Confidential Advocate services are available for anyone who feels they need assistance, support, and advocacy, whether or not the experience qualifies as a “sexual assault” or “personal violation” as defined by themselves, the College, or the state.

What if I don’t find answers to my questions through the MiddSafe Online Advocate?

We hope that you will consider contacting a MiddSafe Confidential Advocate in person or through our 24/7 hotline while classes are in session at 802-377-0239. We are here to listen and help you find resources that feel right to you. You may also refer to the “Resources” tab on the top of each page for a list of contacts that can provide support.

Is the MiddSafe Online Advocate anonymous?

Middlebury takes user privacy seriously and does not collect personally identifiable information about you when you use any of our websites unless you enter contact information, such as name, email, address or telephone numbers, when requesting a specific action from Middlebury (such as being added to a mailing list or requesting correspondence). When you enter personally identifiable information into our websites, we only use that information for the intended purpose and do not otherwise distribute or use your identifying data. The MiddSafe Online Advocate does not allow for any data input which means that no personally identifying information from users is collected.

As is a practice with all Middlebury websites, we use Google Analytics to collect and analyze website use. Google Analytics collects data using cookies, and the information they collect is also anonymous, although it may contain location and/or demographic information. The information provided through Google Analytics will help MiddSafe maintain the Online Advocate and make updates that meet the needs of users.

Like any website visit on a computer or mobile device, the MiddSafe Online Advocate will show up in your browser history. If you or a friend are worried about privacy and your devices, clearing your browser history will remove the Middsafe Online Advocate and all other sites visited.

For more information, please view our Privacy Policy.