CARE provides confidential advocacy, support, and related referrals for students, staff, faculty, and alumni impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. No matter your visa status or location abroad, we are here for you. If you are a student studying at UCSB and experience an incident of interpersonal violence, the CARE office is here to assist you in whatever ways you need, from explaining reporting options and US laws, to exploring housing or academic accommodations, to ensure that you are supported as you continue forward at UCSB and when returning home. 

What's different about interpersonal violence for international students?

As an international student you may feel: 

  • Confused about the US legal system, UCSB processes and options, and your rights as a survivor 
  • Interested in learning about the on-campus resources that are available to support your healing process 
  • A lack of confidence with language proficiency, contributing to feeling like there is no one who can help you 
  • Isolated from your support systems in your home country 
  • Nervous or uncertain that its ok to seek resources due to different cultural norms surrounding what it means to ask for help 

CARE is here to help you navigate your options, any reporting processes you might pursue, and connecting with the appropriate resources to best assist you.

CARE Advocacy Services if you are Studying Abroad

If you are studying abroad and face any form of interpersonal violence, CARE is here for you. A CARE advocate can video chat or talk by phone with you to explore your options and help connect you with the local crisis center in your current country. CARE will also be here to support you with any ongoing feelings of distress or advocacy needs that arise once you return to UCSB. Know that you are not alone and that CARE is beside you no matter the distance. 

If you have experienced an incident of interpersonal violence such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, or relationship violence while studying abroad, and want to report this incident to UCSB's on-campus reporting option, known as the Title IX office, you retain the right to make this report. Title IX's investigative jurisdiction is maintained for all UCSB students no matter where they are currently studying abroad.

Confidentiality

All faculty and staff, who are not confidential, are required to report all students' disclosures of sexual violence, relationship violence, and/or stalking to the Title IX office to ensure consistent student services and Title IX policy compliance. A CARE advocate can discuss any student's concerns one-on-one, without sharing the student's name, identifying information, or any other details about their visit with CARE to other campus offices – your professors, coaches, RA, or OISS staff, or EAP staff members will not be notified that you have visited CARE, unless you explicitly request CARE's assistance in working with them.

CARE recognizes…

CARE recognizes that each individual may hold many of the different identities that our Communities we CARE for pages address. For more information on another identity, please go back to Communities we CARE for.

We support survivors from all backgrounds, the survivors that we serve are not limited to the identities listed on our Communities we CARE for page. If you do not see your identity listed, and would like to learn how interpersonal violence impacts you, please call our 24/7 confidential phone number at 805-893-4613 or make an appointment online to be connected with a confidential advocate.

Making an Appointment
with a CARE Advocate

Make Appointment

Schedule a non-urgent appointment with a CARE Advocate.

To speak with a confidential advocate immediately, please call our 24/7 CARE advocacy line at 805-893-4613. If you have an emergency or feel that you may be in immediate danger, please call 911. 

If you have experienced a sexual assault within the last five days, call CARE at 805-893-4613 or navigate to the Medical section on our Advocacy Services page to learn about the time-sensitive option to seek a free, confidential forensic medical exam.