Supporting Survivors

Regardless of when or where the sexual violence occurred, you have access to Camosun's support.

Student Support Manager, Counselling Centre and Campus Security.

Get Urgent Support  Quick exit to Google

Get Medical Attention

If you have been recently sexually assaulted, you are encouraged to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you do not have apparent injuries.

You can contact the Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic where you can arrange to meet with a support worker and a specially trained forensic nurse examiner. Here you may receive the appropriate medical examination, medication, crisis support, connections to community resources and reporting options. The Clinic provides immediate emotional support and information to people of all genders, 13 years and older, who have been sexually assaulted within the past 7 days.

To access the Clinic 24-hours a day, call the Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888.

In an emergency, you can also go to a hospital emergency department.

To preserve evidence, do your best to avoid changing your clothing, using the toilet, showering, eating, or brushing your teeth.

 

Get Support

With your consent, a Student Support Manager within the Office of Student Support can help you with:

  • Referrals to medical and community support services
  • Academic considerations
  • Safety planning, including instituting Interim Measures and no contact agreements, if needed
  • Navigating systems and resources within the college and the community
  • Understanding privacy rights and confidentiality limits

In addition to ensuring that you receive the emotional and academic support that you need, the Office of Student Support is available to outline and clarify college policy and processes. A Student Support Manager can also assist you in understanding and choosing which options for resolution are right for you.

For example, the options available under the Sexual Violence Policy include:

  • Receiving support and/or academic considerations and not reporting
  • Disclosing your experience to the college
  • Submitting a formal report to the college
  • Making a report to the police

We will assist you in making an informed choice and will respect your decision.

Our printable PDF includes some tips and information for survivors, and our list of on and off-campus resources also offers many more local support options.

 

Give Support

When someone discloses to you that they have been subjected to sexual violence, listen to them, believe them and validate them.

It can help to use the acronym CLEAR to remember these steps. Our printable document provides fulsome information for supporting survivors of sexual violence. 

Confirm their safety, Listen without Judgement, Ensure confidentiality, Assist them with support and info, Respect their choices. Giving Support? Try to be CLEAR

 

Support for Respondents

  • Have you caused harm to someone else?
  • Has someone told you that you have violated their boundaries?
  • Have you been named as a respondent in a complaint about sexual violence at the college?

It can be very difficult process to accept being accused of hurting someone and to assume responsibility for one’s actions. Often, counselling is very helpful in making sense of these difficult personal situations.

In order to ensure fair process, the college provides support and referral for individuals named as a respondent in a sexual violence complaint.

Contact the Office of Student Support to discuss processes and options for support.

 

Safety comes first

If you are witnessing an act of sexual violence on campus or if the immediate safety of the survivor or any other member of the community is at risk, call 911 immediately or notify Camosun Campus Security at 250-370-3075.