It is such a hush-hush topic
Culturally, we are very different in the sense that openness in terms of how much we talk about sexual contact or even sex in general - it is such a hush-hush topic. [...] The first step that any counselor would have to take is to make the person feel comfortable. Only once they feel comfortable would the person feel able to talk. Because you have to understand that they do come from a different background - from a society where they are told not to talk about such things, you know, to keep them under wraps. So, just for them to be able to open up, they have to understand where the person is coming from and make them feel comfortable at the same time.
Recommendations
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When responding to a disclosure or report of sexual violence involving racially or ethnically marginalized students, provide these students with the choice to work with someone who shares their cultural or racial identity or someone who does not.
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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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Consider how a student's identities might affect their expectations and concerns when accessing supports following a sexual assault, or when involved in a sexual assault investigation.