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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African Female

In the case of a minor, an adult knows better

The person listening to the case [...] shouldn’t influence their [the survivor's] choices. It’s your choice, and you choose how to handle it. But in the case of a minor involved, I think an adult knows better, so you should probably do that. But mainly, I think the person involved should be strongly listened to and also not have your opinion influenced in the case that you are an adult. Like, you shouldn’t be forced to report if you don’t want to.

Recommendations

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

  • 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.

  • In the policy itself and in materials and presentations promoting the policy, define "confidential" and "anonymous," and explain how these concepts pertain to the policy, university-based sexual assault services, and the limits on confidentiality and anonymity.