SafeCampus

What to Expect

What can I expect when I call?

A trained professional will listen in a non-judgmental, empathetic way. We’re here to offer support and guidance when you have concerns for yourself or others. You can tell us about something that happened or share your safety concerns. You’re welcome to say as much or as little as you want to.

Here are some of the questions we might ask:

  • What concerns do you have?
  • Can you tell me more about what’s been going on?
  • When did it happen?
  • Who was involved?
  • Do you have safety concerns for yourself or someone else?
  • What are you concerned might happen next?
  • Have you shared your concerns with anyone else?
  • What would you like to see happen?

What happens next?

We’ll listen and provide individualized safety plans tailored to each unique situation, and we’ll connect you with additional resources when needed. Depending on your situation, we may suggest taking immediate next steps for safety.

In some situations, we work with our campus partners and design a coordinated response. The SafeCampus team will evaluate the need for a formal violence-prevention team assessment with representatives of other UW departments as appropriate.

Can I call anonymously?

Yes, you can choose to not share your name or the name of the person you’re concerned about.

Is SafeCampus confidential?

SafeCampus is a private and discreet campus resource. We make every effort to protect the information that you share with us. You will be made aware if information needs to be shared with other UW individuals. We do not record information in an employee’s personnel file or student record. We’re happy to answer any questions about our process.

When can I call?

SafeCampus employees answer phones Monday – Friday (excluding UW holidays). Please see below for more information about hours.

Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., you will reach a SafeCampus employee. If we do not answer we are on another call, please leave a message, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. We recommend calling from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to ensure you speak directly with a SafeCampus employee.

Between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m., on UW holidays, & weekends,  you will be routed to our voicemail and a SafeCampus employee will reach out the next business day. Please leave your contact information. Please see our after-hours resource guide for support if you are in immediate need. 

Is calling SafeCampus a report to the University?

Calling SafeCampus is not the same as making a “formal” complaint/report to the University of Washington. You can call and consult with our office before choosing whether you want to make a formal complaint. If you want to learn more about formal complaints, visit the University of Washington’s Title IX Reporting Options page, the University of Washington’s Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office (UCIRO), or contact law enforcement. You can always consult with SafeCampus about your options.

Who does SafeCampus partner within risk assessment and response?

When necessary to assess the risk to the UW community, SafeCampus works with key partners in violence prevention and well-being, including confidential advocates, Title IX, Student Life, Human Resources, medical centers, law enforcement and security, mental health, and other University threat-assessment teams.

 

SafeCampus Team

Gillian Wickwire, MA, CTM
Director of SafeCampus                                                                                                                                 

As the director of SafeCampus, Gillian (she/her) directs the threat assessment & management work for the UW, as well as overseeing the violence prevention & response efforts of the SafeCampus program. She is a Certified Threat Manager™ and has 15 years of experience facilitating interdisciplinary threat assessments, providing consultation & one-on-one safety planning, and ensuring the University stays in alignment w/ best practices in violence prevention. For over two decades Gillian has been advocating for those most impacted by gender-based violence and engaging in various forms of crisis response work, always with a trauma-informed approach. During her years in graduate school, Gillian developed an understanding of the multiplicity and intersection of identities that is crucial to effective violence prevention & response work. In her free time, Gillian loves reading, art shows, and watching gritty dramas w/ her two cats.

Paige Sechrest
Paige Sechrest, PhD
Prevention, Education, & Communications Manager

In 2021, Paige (she/her) joined the SafeCampus team in a full-time capacity as the Prevention, Education & Communications Manager. Since 2018, Paige has worked as a training specialist for SafeCampus helping to create and implement the pioneering EPIC prevention education program, designed for UW academic student employees and postdoctoral scholars. Paige is passionate about community-based methods of responding to and preventing violence, quantitative & qualitative program evaluation, as well as Black political thought. Paige also has a doctorate in political science from UW. In addition, Paige is a poetry lover and a news enthusiast.

Natalie Dolci, LICSW
Senior Violence Prevention & Response Specialist                    

Natalie (she/her) began her anti-violence work while earning her degrees at Tulane University and has been working in gender-based violence prevention and response for over 14 years. She has provided direct services to survivors in community-based agencies, campus-based settings, and within the criminal justice system. Natalie has conducted local research and trained nationally on the role that the abusive use of technology plays in interpersonal violence, and how systems can improve their coordinated response. She is committed to relational work that focuses on the principles of equity and collaboration. In her free time, Natalie likes to travel, hike, and try new things.

Laura Fay, MPA
Violence Prevention & Response Specialist

Laura (she/her) graduated with her Master of Public Administration from the UW Evans School in June 2020. She has more than 12 years of experience in nonprofits and education. Before attending the UW, Laura was the Associate Director for Family Services at Mary’s Place, a shelter for families experiencing homelessness in King County. She worked directly with women and families experiencing crises including people who were impacted by sexual harassment/assault, domestic violence, and stalking. Laura is passionate about creating equitable systems, evaluating the efficiency of programs, and shaping policy to prevent violence and harm. Lastly, Laura loves her two cats (Benny and Penny), Dolly Parton, and paddle boarding.

Ryan Garcia, MSW
Violence Prevention & Response Specialist
Ryan (he/him) earned his Master of Social Work from UW in 2022. He is passionate about violence prevention and response work. He has held various positions in crisis response and care coordination settings prior to his two years spent at SafeCampus as an MSW student. Now, as an MSW team-member, Ryan is currently working towards earning his independent clinical license (LICSW) and working with individuals who have experienced or are experiencing trauma, identity-based violence, and ideological violence. Ryan is also interested in the different forms violence may take and how it intersects with race, religion, identity, ability, and class. When he is not working, Ryan enjoys playing board games with friends and going on adventures with his partner and their dog, Murphy.

Fionna Cohen
Senior Support Specialist
Fionna (she/her) graduated with a BA in Sociology from Whitman College. She is currently getting her Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington and is planning to get her LICSW after graduating and work with young adults. She has experience working directly with individuals processing crises as well as in the political advocacy realm. She is passionate about helping individuals improve their overall quality of life while also working towards large-scale change that decreases barriers to care. Fionna loves to hike, enjoy the Seattle outdoors and explore the food scene. She is always up for a new restaurant recommendation.

Porter Wells
Prevention & Education Support Specialist
Porter (she/her) graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Washington in 2015. Since then, her extensive work within schools and youth development organizations- ranging from program direction to data analysis- inspired her to return to UW to pursue her Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology. Currently, a second-year student, Porter is passionate about researching educational equity, LGBTQ+ inclusive school policies, comprehensive relationships, and sexuality curriculum, and how community partnerships can better support students’ well-being in schools. Porter can be found painting, bouldering with family, hiking with friends, or reading sci-fi in her spare time.
Alexandra Wong Appel
Support Specialist
Alexandra (she/her) graduated with a BA in Psychology from Colorado College in 2019. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Washington and hopes to obtain her LICSW after graduation. She is passionate about advocacy and violence prevention work, particularly culturally competent work which honors how racial and ethnic difference, among other identity markers, affects resource accessibility and health outcomes for individuals in crisis. In her free time, Alexandra loves reading, cooking for friends and family, and trying to soak in every spare sunbeam she can find.