Trauma much longer than if they were validated from the top
I think the most important thing to think about before you speak to someone who has been recently assaulted is to avoid having a judgmental or non-believing attitude. [...] I think for them [the survivor] it's important to validate their experience no matter what your opinion on it might be. 'Cause I feel when people who experience this feel invalidated and not fully [unclear] it can make the trauma much longer than if they had been validated from the top.So that’s the most important thing for me.
Recommendations
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Develop a one-page document for parents/guardians of students that highlights key policy points and links to sexual assault resources and supports available in Canada.
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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.