Are they comfortable to talk to me?
[If a friend disclosed to me], before I [talk] to the victim, the survivor, I would ask myself if the survivor would like to talk to me, or are they comfortable to talk about it with me. [...] Even though we are friends, right, [...] we have to understand the relationship between us and whether my friend would allow me to talk about it with them.
Recommendations
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Use open-ended questions and collaborative communication when supporting a victim/survivor.
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Use approaches that are trauma informed and survivor-centred.
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Make supports available to members of the university community who receive disclosures, or raise awareness of these supports within university communities where they already exist.
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When responding to a disclosure or report of sexual violence, highlight that students have the choice to involve support people of their choice, including friends or family members. Offer to reach out to support people if the student prefers. This applies to the victim/survivor or complainant and respondent.