Ongoing professional development
I would think whatever your role is at Saint Mary’s [...] there is ongoing professional development. Your role that you perform generally at the university - you should have some orientation or discussion or something about how to support people who report a sexual assault. In the case of security, for instance, I mean, ordinarily, I would absolutely agree, it’s really important that people feel that you believe them - that, you accept what they’re saying. I don’t know if that’s the role of a security person, but maybe the role of the security person then, if it’s not that, is to immediately call someone who can give that.
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.