For crisis intervention or mental distress: Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line:
1-888-429-8167

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Good2Talk: 1-833-292-3698
or text GOOD2TALKNS to 686868

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program for the Halifax area:
902-425-0122

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Indian Female

You can’t accuse someone if there’s no proof

If [a friend disclosed sexual assault] I just think that you would have to understand the sensitivity that the situation entails [...] and also understand whether or how proveable it is. Because, so many times, you can't accuse somebody of something if there's no proof. You believe that everybody is innocent until proven guilty, right? So, I think that’s another thing to keep in mind. Whenever you are accusing somebody, you have to have enough people to back it up or something else to back it up.

Recommendations

  • Emphasize the victim's right to decide whether they would like to report the incident after they have disclosed it to the university. Ensure the victim is aware of the formal and informal routes for reporting, including the option of reporting to the police. Clearly communicate any limits to confidentiality.

  • Provide students with information about what can serve as evidence of sexual assault for the purposes of a university investigation. This information should appear in the policy itself and in educational materials about the policy.