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

 

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Investigator

What is an investigator?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an investigator is “a person whose job is to examine a crime, problem, statement, etc. in order to discover the truth” (Cambridge University Press, 2021).

What do investigators have to do with University SV/SA policies?

  • Some university SV/SA policies include the possibility of appointing an investigator to look into reports of sexual violence or sexual assault that has occurred within the campus community.
  • The investigator’s findings about the report may inform decisions about whether the respondent will face consequences for their actions, and what those consequences will be.
  • Check your own university SV/SA policy to see if and how it includes investigators.

Do I need to worry about an investigator becoming involved if I reach out to a service provider for supports?

  • An investigation will not be initiated when a victim/survivor simply looks for support to a counsellor, health professional, or other service provider. With rare exceptions, these service providers are bound by rules of confidentiality.
  • An investigation is generally initiated when a victim/survivor follows the process explained in their university SV/SA policy to request an investigation.
  • In rare situations universities may investigations due to concerns about the safety of students or other members of the campus community (see confidentiality).

Who can be a university sexual violence or sexual assault investigator?

  • Policies that include university investigations of sexual assault or sexual violence reports may include information about who can serve as a sexual assault investigator for the campus community covered by the policy.
  • Investigators may be:
    • Selected from among university staff (internally appointed)
    • Hired from outside the university (externally appointed).
  • Some policies state that investigators may be appointed internally or externally, depending on the situation. It may not be clear in the policy how this decision is made.