Support Advisors

Penn is committed to supporting an equitable and healthy community and understands that disclosing sexual harassment or other forms of sexual misconduct can be difficult. An impacted person or party can have a support person or advisor of their choosing present with them when they talk with the AVP and Title IX Officer, or their designee, about support, resources, and process options and/or to make a report or complaint of sexual misconduct.

All parties to an investigative process under the Sexual Misconduct Policy have a right to have an advisor present, including an attorney a party has retained, throughout the process. Support advisors, are not permitted, however, to speak on behalf of a party during the investigation process. During the hearing process, if one is requested, support advisors are permitted to ask relevant questions of the other party and of any witnesses on behalf of their advisees. Such questioning by an advisor is subject to determinations of relevancy and appropriateness by the Disciplinary Hearing Officer (DHO), who oversees the hearing process.

At Penn, we have a pool of staff and faculty who volunteer as advisors to provide support and guidance to parties who are involved in a process under the Sexual Misconduct Policy. These volunteers receive training through the AVP-Title IX Office to ensure that they understand our process and resource options and can effectively support their advisee and connect them with additional support and resources as needed. A list of trained support advisors is maintained by the AVP-Title IX Office.

Request for Advisor Volunteers

Becoming a support advisor can provide the opportunity to:

Provide students and employees with support while they advocate for themselves in our University process.
Contribute to the development of responsible behavior and accountability for inappropriate and harmful behavior.
Collaborate with other members of the University.
Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Members of our University community who are interested in or have questions about serving as a support advisor in our process can contact the AVP-Title IX Office for more information.

Fill out this form for more information about becoming a support advisor.