You can’t go to someone and talk
I don't think there's a proper channel, you know? Like, that you can't go to someone and, like, talk. There is a hesitancy for, like, the victim to interact, because of the - uh - cultural differences. Or as the Participant 5 had told us, there is - because of the cultural difference, there is not a main focus on the mental health of the victim who is going through it all [...].
Recommendations
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Sign on with a service such as KeepMe.Safe, which connects students with mental health professionals from cultures around the world and promote this service as part of university SV/SA service provision.
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When responding to a disclosure or report of sexual violence involving racially or ethnically marginalized students, provide these students with the choice to work with someone who shares their cultural or racial identity or someone who does not.
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Use approaches that are trauma informed and survivor-centred.
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Engage with student leaders from diverse cultural backgrounds and genders when revising policy content and associated services. Ensure the concerns raised by these students are foregrounded in policy development and application.
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When responding to a disclosure or report of sexual violence, highlight that students have the choice to involve support people of their choice, including friends or family members. Offer to reach out to support people if the student prefers. This applies to the victim/survivor or complainant and respondent.