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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Caucasian Female

Stuff might not be something somebody wants to disclose

A lot of the time when people get sexually assaulted, not most of the time, but it does happen, they were under the influence of the substance. So the person that assaulted them was - or like, it was a sketchy sort of situation, or like, they were a child and that stuff might not be something somebody wants to disclose, as they might be embarrassed or ashamed and stuff like that. So it would be hard, so I think being non-judgmental is really important, and just listening rather than doing all the talking.

Recommendations

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

  • Ensure all sexual violence prevention and response education and training opportunities actively deconstruct victim-blaming, rape myths and gender norms. Ensure these sessions take an intersectional approach to understanding sexual violence and supporting victim/survivors.