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African Female

Perspectives on responses to sexual assault

To understand somebody [who has experienced sexual assault] and to be able to communicate with someone, you have to choose your words carefully. You have to choose your thoughts, cause thoughts leads to words, and…

I would like to impose that there must be gender equality in this policy, as it is not said if it’s the girls or the boys. Like, it doesn’t say that only girls are affected…

Facilitator – [overlapping] Thank you so much for that. That was actually wonderful, like, the part where you said it, there’s a language barrier, to bring in someone, you know, who can be, like, the…

According to me, there doesn’t need to be any cultural differences. Like, I should go to anybody and explain my problem to anybody. That doesn’t mean – “Okay, I am Indian, so I need an…

[If my friend was sexually assaulted], I would calm her down. I would tell her that everything will be fine. Just to console her and give her encouragement. I mean, I wouldn’t obviously force her…

I would like to say that [if a friend disclosed sexual assault] this is a very delicate situation, so we have to understand whatever she or he is going through right now. And it’s not…

[If someone from our region experiences sexual assault], try to listen to them. I think it’s very important to listen to the situation and not just judge it, you know, as it is. Listen to…

According to me, [if a friend experiences sexual assault, you should provide] the mental support, and be physically present [with] him or her, [and] let them know that, yes, we are with you, and that…

Participant 1: I think the number one thing is dependability- just making sure that you are there, even if it’s just to listen so they know someone is with them during such a hard time.…

Most students come from conservative families, so we should brief [university staff who handle disclosures or reports] about our family background and the consequences. This will help supporters to know these viewpoints rather than arguing…

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