It goes beyond that
I agree with everything that’s been said, but I feel like beyond that, the first thing that should be done [if a friend discloses] is make sure the person is fine physically, and that the perpetrator is not nearby, so that she or he can feel safe and we can proceed with going to the doctor and trying to get as much information as she remembers. Later on, if she wants to, let her know even if she decides not to say anything, that you will still support her, make sure that he or she knows that it wasn’t their fault, right? So, I feel like the support towards the person and then making sure that she or he gets checked and then you can go with the different steps that the policy tells us to do.
Recommendations
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Promote SANE nurses as supporters for victims/survivors. Ideally, this would happen in the context of a formal partnership with SANE nurses, which includes 24/7 availability of SANE nurse services on campus.
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Use approaches that are trauma informed and survivor-centred.
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Emphasize the victim's right to decide whether they would like to report the incident after they have disclosed it to the university. Ensure the victim is aware of the formal and informal routes for reporting, including the option of reporting to the police. Clearly communicate any limits to confidentiality.
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Provide detail and clarity about what happens, and who helps the students involved, at every stage of the process following a disclosure or report.