It hasn’t been provided in a way that we can feel comfortable
You know how no one in the group was familiar with the policy- um, maybe giving it to us in a way that's, you know, digestible and understandable for where we're at, you know, our lived experiences. Like, maybe there could be something that's made by the Black Students' Association or whatever the Dalhousie thing is there. Like, just something of that nature. So, like it's not something that we haven't seen before and if it's something that we had to access, we wouldn't be, you know, reluctant to come forward with something. Because, you know, we haven't even seen it before, for the most part, let alone being Black on top of it. So, I just think it hasn't been provided to us in a way that we can feel comfortable utilizing the policy, or, you know, being involved in the policy in any capacity.
Recommendations
-
Use approaches that are trauma informed and survivor-centred.
-
Including male students across cultures in discussions of sexual violence, gender stereotypes, and stereotypes of masculinity.
-
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.
-
Use multiple formats to deliver accessible education about the SV/SA policy during orientation and at least once per semester
-
In education and awareness campaigns, highlight the fact that a significant percentage of men have experienced sexual violence in their lives.