Pro Bono Attorney Offers Support to Student Survivors

with Hordichuk “can be as anonymous as [a survivor wants],” Silardi said. She hoped to “empower students [by encouraging them that] coming forward is enough.”

Marybeth Monaco-Vavrik ‘23, the president of Students Against Sexual Violence (SASV), believes this anonymity could make students feel more comfortable coming forward.

For several months, Val Silardi ‘25 has worked to recruit an attorney that will empower survivors of sexual assault at Davidson. After extensive research, she connected with attorney Melissa Hordichuk. Hordichuk is the executive director and managing attorney of the Access to Justice Project, a Charlotte-based law firm. She is also a pro bono attorney, meaning students will not have to pay for her services. Her partnership with Davidson will help support student survivors.

Silardi has been interested in social justice since a young age, and was inspired by her older sister.

“My sister served as an incredible role model to me because she had an incredible work ethic while simultaneously challenging gender barriers in her high school classroom and the workforce,” Silardi said. Silardi is particularly focused on supporting survivors of sexual assault and harassment.

“[Sexual harassment is] all around [in subtle forms] — it’s how professors interact with their students, it’s how different genders interact with each other, it’s power dynamics at parties,” Silardi said. “When you or someone you know goes through something like that, you become hyperaware of the pervasiveness of it all.”

Davidson provides institutional resources for student survivors; they can meet with Title IX coordinator Carley Dix or the Davidson College Police Department (DCPD). However, both Dix and the DCPD are mandated reporters, meaning they are legally required to report any observed or suspected abuse, including cases of sexual assault. Hordichuk is not a mandated reporter, so she can offer flexibility and anonymity.

Silardi ensured that students could remain anonymous as they communicate with Hordichuk. Survivors can connect with Hordichuk through a Google form. Working

Rather than reporting sexual assault, Hordichuk will provide information about resources and legal choices.

“I can share independently what resources Davidson has without them fearing any sort of repercussions,” Hordichuk said.

“There’s a really big mental block for survivors to set up a meeting [with the Title IX office], so just having [...] so much anonymity feels safer,” Monaco-Vavrik said.

Silardi’s project has required patience and about,” Hordichuk said. “So when [Silardi] called me I was immediately interested. I’m particularly invested in on-campus or collegerelated sexual assault because it’s obviously a pervasive issue,” passion. She spent months communicating with attorneys across the nation and researcing the Title IX process in detail. Additionally, while her project began as an independent initiative, she started working with SASV last semester and is now their education and outreach chair.

In addition to Hordichuck’s services, there are several ways for student survivors to get additional support. The college chaplains and the counselors at the Center for Student Health and Well-Being provide another anonymous setting. Their employees are are not mandated reporters.

There are anonymous support groups at Davidson, and Counselor Anna Folkens hosts a support group for survivors in the surrounding area. Survivors can also attend off-campus therapy at SAFE Alliance and Brave aStep, and free transportation is available through the health portal.

Student survivors can request accommodations through the Title IX office, including emergency housing, a class schedule check, and academic accommodations. Survivors have more formal options, too. They can place a no-communication order, meaning that they will not have to interact with their harm-doer. Another option is a shared expectations agreement, a voluntary decision about where each party is able to go on campus. Finally, survivors can organize an educational conversation between Carley Dix and the survivor’s harm-doer, where Dix will discuss the harm-doer’s behavioral concerns.

Dix also believes that the support of an attorney helps survivors learn about their options without having to take immediate action or report their experiences.

“Students who may not be comfortable going to the Title IX office or the Davidson College Police Department to ask questions can receive needed information [from Hordichuk] to determine whether they would like to connect with campus or other community resources,” Dix said.

Silardi’s dedication has paid off, as Hordichuk is committed to working with students.

“[Sexual assault is] an issue I care deeply

As Silardi explained, “college is so hard already,” and feeling alone as a survivor can be “detrimental.” Hordichuk will help support these survivors, and, as Dix commented, act as an “avenue to receive information about their legal rights and resources.”

Hordichuk emphasized the importance of believing survivors, regardless of whether they want to report their experience or take legal action.

“That’s a huge part of [my work], having someone there that’s just going to listen and say ‘I hear you and I believe you,’” Hordichuk said.