Supporting survivors of sexual violence at the University of Chicago
MARCH 17, 2023
One of the resources available to survivors is the help of specialized counselors like Dr. Emily Knotek, Title IX Liaison and Trauma Care Coordinator at Student Counseling.
Knotek and her colleagues work out of UChicago Student Wellness, whose mission is to provide comprehensive health, counseling, and wellness services through holistic care in a safe and welcoming environment.
When a student has been subject to sexual violence, Knotek will take a referral to set up an initial counseling appointment.
“I start by providing a safe and confidential place for them to begin to grapple with what they have experienced, and to understand and help normalize some of the common reactions they might be having,” she said.
Dr. Emily Knotek, Title IX Liaison and Trauma Care Coordinator at Student Counseling
These referrals come from a variety of sources including the Title IX Office, professors, health practitioners, and students.
"I talk with them about their options so that they can make an informed decision about next steps they may want to take. I never pressure a student to pursue any option, as this is a wholly unique and personal decision for each survivor.”
Knotek’s extensive background in treating trauma is tailored to help students in times of crisis.
Early in her career, she was struck by the injustices that often prevent survivors from accessing help and counseling.
“I kept seeing survivors struggling with the same types of issues such as guilt, self-doubt, self-criticism, confusion, and shame, and it was heart-breaking to see these individuals suffering,” she said.
She decided she wanted to develop her skills to address this inequity.
“I wanted to be involved in directly intervening in that process of helping survivors begin to come to terms with what happened, regain their sense of safety and trust, and learn to heal and move forward in their life.”
As a Confidential Advisor, Knotek is well-informed on the legal and medical resources available to survivors, crisis intervention skills, and the ways trauma may affect groups experiencing other forms of oppression.
"Many students fear that asking for help is a sign of weakness. It is not. It actually takes great courage and strength to recognize that you don’t have all the answers and that you need some additional support.”
Knotek wants to make sure survivors know they don’t have to face these situations alone.
“One of the very definitions of trauma is that it overwhelms our normal coping repertoire. Thus, it is unfair to expect ourselves to be able to deal with this on our own.”