Perspectives on responses to sexual assault

Participant 1: There are a lot of different responses to trauma. Participant 2: The one thing I wish more people would have said to me is, “you don’t even need to answer me- I’m just…

Participant 1: It’s a very difficult thing to relive and the more you have to re-tell something, it can be very, very retraumatizing for individuals. So, for you [if you are supporting a survivor], it’s…

Participant 1: I watched how much it took out of her each time she had to explain it to someone, so that’s why I’m wondering if there is any way to make who the best…

It’s not my area of expertise. I don’t know how to properly respond to someone who’s gone through that. There are ways that you need to talk to them [unclear]. I believe there’s a way…

I think people should maybe be more aware of informal resolution because I never really knew that existed or that it was an option. I mean, it’s a good way for people not to get…

Participant 1: I wonder if there could be a part [of the policy] that would be like, “have you sexually [pause]- do you feel like there are shades of grey?” Because maybe they had sex…

I know that language can be a huge barrier and also when you look around, and all you see are white faces, and you are not [white], that can be very intimidating and unwelcoming. So,…

If my friend disclosed to me, I think I would want to know whether she felt safe at that moment. I’d ask what she needed from me, how I could help in terms of talking,…

Participant 1: You would have to listen, and from my personal experience, I’ve always found support in my peers. So, talking to someone who has either experienced sexual assault or somebody trained in it and…