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African Male

Perspectives on responses to sexual assault

I think in [the] situation [that a friend has been sexually assaulted], the number one thing is to just ensure them that they are loved and you hear them and you see them and you…

If it was a friend of mine [who disclosed that she was sexually assaulted], I would first check if she is was affected physically or mentally and act accordingly. Maybe I’ll help her with some…

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…

I think it’s best for [university staff involved in sexual assault response] to understand that because of where we come from, something like this- if they were to ask, “oh, why didn’t you report it?’’…

Like I said before, it [how to support a survivor] depends on what they want to do, right? So we may, like Participant 1 just said, we need to see how serious it is, but…

[University staff responding to sexual assault] should be careful with the set of questions they ask, the questions regarding that incident. […] They should be careful with how they bring up the questions, like, be…

[If a friend was sexually assaulted], they would be scared and might not open their mouth about whatever has happened. As a friend, once I observe whether she is mentally okay and I take her…

[If I were involved in a sexual assault case, I would ask that university staff] treat me as a human being. Treat me as a reasonable human being, as I come. See me as a…

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…

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