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

For Confidential support to post-secondary students in Nova Scotia:
Good2Talk: 1-833-292-3698
or text GOOD2TALKNS to 686868

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

Get toll-free numbers for other Nova Scotia regions

 

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Middle Eastern Male

You have to have compassion

I believe that you have to have compassion in a situation like this, where it’s not about enforcement of what you think is right, or what you think should be done. It’s just understanding the person in front of you and trying to ease them and make them comfortable in any way possible - whatever they want, whatever they need. Listen and refer them because, at the end of the day, it’s not about your point of view or your ideologies, it's about this person's struggle, and you can only be a comfort or relief because you don’t have anything else to offer at this time.

Recommendations

  • Use open-ended questions and collaborative communication when supporting a victim/survivor.

  • Use approaches that are trauma informed and survivor-centred.

  • Present learning materials in a way that is helpful to a friend supporting a victim/survivor.

  • 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.