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

 

EMERGENCY CONTACT
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Get Help Now

African Female

The policy makes people uncomfortable

Participant 1: I feel like the policy, and the subject of sexual assault, makes people uncomfortable. I feel like it should be presented more comfortably so that people can talk about it.
Facilitator: What ways do you think may help people feel more comfortable talking about it?
Participant 1: I like using a funny story, oh well it's not meant to be funny. [laughing] I don't know like -
Participant 2: A series of animations?
Participant 1: Yeah!
Participant 2: Like passing across the serious information less seriously. I don't know how to put it, but I know there are ways to pass across serious information in a way that is not too serious so people can get the message.
Facilitator: Do you think students will take things like this seriously if they are not presented seriously?
Participant 2: The goal should be to pass the message and ensure that people know the message. Make sure the message sticks so they can apply it.

Recommendations

  • Don't overhelm students with policy materials. Plan an approach to increasing policy awareness that provides essential information and resources at dedicated times and locations. Consider potential triggers when developing and implementing educational/awareness materials.