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

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Asian Female

Ensure privacy so they can speak up

I think when the incident happens the student needs more comfort and then, like, a convenient place or person to discuss it with, because it's really hard to open up. So, when there is this disclosing thing, it makes it easier for them to just say what's going on, rather than disclosing around people and having to explain it every time, like in the case of reporting. I think people would actually go for it because it's really a lot of stress you know when it comes to these things. So, rather than facing it mentally all alone, it'd be better for them to have someone who can assure that their information or their privacy is not going to be violated and then they can speak up about it.

Recommendations

  • Create an inter-university and college roster of peer supporters and educators that includes international and domestic student leaders across genders.

  • Sign on with a service such as KeepMe.Safe, which connects students with mental health professionals from cultures around the world and promote this service as part of university SV/SA service provision.

  • 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.

  • Highlight which university staff victims/survivors can report sexual violence to so they need only report once.