My mental health would be shot
Participant 1: If I had to go through with something like this, I'd probably, definitely feel embarrassed and, you know, not want to see anybody. My mental health would be shot. I know it's probably something that weighed deeply, because, you know, I’d have to, I would have to confine myself to my house. I feel like I couldn't face anyone. If I had to go through something like that.
Participant 2: Yeah, I agree with everything you just said. And I wouldn't be able to go out of the house, and ah, I would probably delete my social media stuff and yeah, your mental health would be definitely shot and there is nowhere’s really to turn to at that point, I don't know, what could you really do?
Recommendations
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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.
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Provide long-term support to victims/survivors through university services and/or through referals to external community-based agencies.
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Provide and promote alternatives to face-to-face disclosures and reporting, such as disclosure by text messaging or online.
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Including male students across cultures in discussions of sexual violence, gender stereotypes, and stereotypes of masculinity.
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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.
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In education and awareness campaigns, highlight the fact that a significant percentage of men have experienced sexual violence in their lives.