For crisis intervention or mental distress: Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line:
1-888-429-8167

For Confidential support to post-secondary students in Nova Scotia:
Good2Talk: 1-833-292-3698
or text GOOD2TALKNS to 686868

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program for the Halifax area:
902-425-0122

Get toll-free numbers for other Nova Scotia regions

 

EMERGENCY CONTACT
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Get Help Now

Middle Eastern Male

They consider you a true friend

I think that the best quality that a friend could have is to listen to what the person [who has experienced sexual assault] has to say. I think listening is a big part of it, especially when we help a friend. Also, being reasonable and empathetic and just a shoulder on which they can lay. Just be there for them emotionally, and help them make the right decision when it comes to like reporting or not. Give them good advice, cause when someone comes to talk to you about their experience, they probably trust you; and you should be like glad that they came and talked to you, because they consider you a true friend.

Recommendations

  • Use open-ended questions and collaborative communication when supporting a victim/survivor.

  • Use approaches that are trauma informed and survivor-centred.

  • Present learning materials in a way that is helpful to a friend supporting a victim/survivor.

  • 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.