PEAR Program

The Confidential Advocacy Line is active from 8 am-8 pm, seven days a week when the university is open. You can call or text the number at 978.594.7089 to speak to an advocate. More information about our line can be found below.
PEAR is also offering virtual drop-in office hours through Doxy with no appointment needed. Drop-in hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am-noon, and Tuesday/Thursday from 1-4 pm. In-person scheduling is available upon request.

Prevention and Education

The PEAR program is dedicated to the prevention of sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking. In order to reduce and prevent interpersonal violence, we have to talk about it. We provide programs, trainings, workshops, and discussions on the topics of consent, healthy and unhealthy relationships, gender and sexuality, masculinity, bystander intervention, and more.

We provide these trainings and workshops to incoming students, student groups, classes, athletics, as well as staff and faculty on campus.

For questions about prevention programming or to collaborate on a program, workshop, or training, contact us via email at pear@salemstate.edu.

Advocacy

PEAR can provide confidential advocacy to survivors of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and/or stalking. We offer services over the phone, virtually, and in person.

PEAR advocates can provide empathetic support for survivors; information about students’ options and rights; assistance in reporting if a student chooses; and connections to resources on and off-campus. This is a free and confidential resource for students. We also have access to a translation line with over 200 languages.

Doxy Virtual Office Hours

Click here to enter the virtual PEAR Confidential Advocate waiting room.

An advocate will be staffing office hours below. If you would like to schedule an appointment at a different time, call or text our phone at 978.594.7089. In-person scheduling is available upon request. Call, text, or use Doxy to speak to an advocate first.

PEAR Drop-in Office Hours

Mondays: 10 am-noon
Tuesdays: 1-4 pm
Wednesdays: 10 am-noon
Thursdays: 1-4 pm
Fridays: 10 am-noon

Phone

Students can contact PEAR through confidential calls or texts to 978.594.7089.

The PEAR advocacy line will be active from 8 am-8 pm 7 days/week during the academic year. When the phone is active, staff will respond to calls/texts within the hour. When the phone is not active, callers can leave a voicemail or text, and PEAR staff will check the phone when it becomes active again and respond to any calls or texts at that time. The phone is not active on holidays, breaks, or other times when the university is closed.

LEARN ABOUT THE CONFIDENTIAL ADVOCATE LINE.

Please note: PEAR is not available 24/7. When the confidential advocacy phone is not active, community members can contact other local resources, including:

YWCA North Shore Rape Crisis Center: 877.509.9922 (24/7 hotline)
HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change): 800.547.1649 (24/7 hotline)
University Police: 978.542.6111 (24/7 Emergency Line)
For off-campus emergencies, contact 911 or go to your local emergency room (available 24/7)

Learn about additional resources.

Time-sensitive information for sexual assault survivors.

Response

All PEAR services are trauma-informed, survivor-centered and culturally inclusive. PEAR serves all Salem State students who are survivors of dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, language differences, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, marital or familial status or disability.

Learn more about what PEAR can do for you.

Reporting

File a report: Some students may choose to report an incident to the University. If you are interested in reporting a violation of SSU’s Title IX Policy or Student Code of Conduct, you can:
File a report via this link.
Anonymous reporting: Using this link, students can report their name and personal information or they may choose to report anonymously. Please note that the university may be limited in its ability to respond if you submit an anonymous report.
Report to Police: You also have the right to report an incident to University Police at 978.542.6111.
Support: The PEAR program is separate from Title IX/Conduct and University Police. Our confidential advocates can support you and assist you in understanding the reporting processes, your rights, and supportive measures. Please contact our advocacy line if you are interested in talking to someone: 978.594.7089.
Learn about policies: Salem State University will not tolerate sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in any form. You can find definitions and learn more about Salem State’s Code of Conduct and Salem State’s Title IX policies.