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Support and Resources for Sexual Violence Survivors

Support and Resources for Sexual Violence Survivors

Sept. 23, 2021

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The recent news coverage of incidents of sexual violence has been distressing to many, especially those who have experienced sexual violence themselves. Sexual violence is a pervasive, societal problem and a substantial problem at universities across Canada.

Laurier takes the needs of survivors of sexual violence extremely seriously and is committed to doing everything possible to support survivors, as outlined in the university’s Prevention of Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures. The university provides education and awareness initiatives that change attitudes and reduce the prevalence of gendered and sexual violence.

“Laurier is committed to fostering a culture of consent where gendered and sexual violence is unacceptable and is not tolerated in any form,” says Sarah Scanlon, manager of sexual violence response in Laurier’s Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management. “We are also focused on both building our collective bystander skills to recognize and intervene in gendered- violence when we witness it and supporting survivors with compassion and respect. People impacted by gender-based violence deserve safety, solidarity, and support.”

Laurier’s Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management is available to provide support to all members of the Laurier community who have been impacted by gendered or sexual violence, both on and off campus, including through:

  • Safety planning
  • Referrals to counselling and medical services
  • Trauma-informed care resources
  • Academic and campus accommodations
  • Helping survivors understand and navigate the on- and off-campus reporting and complaint options available
  • Helping to navigate systems and resources within the university and the broader community
  • Supporting communications between the survivor and the university
  • Providing advocacy within university systems and legal systems
  • Understanding limits to confidentiality

If you have been impacted by sexual violence, you are not alone and there are many resources available to you at Laurier and in the community. Every formal complaint received by the university is investigated. All sexual violence cases are confidential.

All services are available in person, over the phone or through email. Find out more on the Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support website or email svinfo@wlu.ca.

The Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management will be offering weekly drop-in support sessions for survivors of sexual violence; workshops focusing on healing from sexual trauma; and programming specifically for survivors from the LGBTQ2S+ and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour communities. Visit the Education and Events page and follow Consent is Golden on social media for more information (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook).

Through partnerships with the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region and the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant, sexual violence counselling is available during regular university hours on campus in both Waterloo and Brantford. Students can also access their 24/7 support and crisis lines.

The Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management also offers resources and training for those interested in building their knowledge and skills around the issues of gendered and sexual violence, including:

The Sexual Violence Response Certificate: Students who attend six workshops in this series can receive the certificate through their Laurier Experience Record.

  • Disclosure training: Learn how to best respond and support someone who has shared their experiences of gendered or sexual violence.
  • Bystander training: Learn what you can do to prevent gendered or sexual violence.
  • Responding to secondary trauma, or trauma caused by learning about a traumatic event
  • Supporting survivors from the LGBTQ2S+ and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour communities

Thousands of members of the Laurier community have taken awareness or support training related to gendered and sexual violence. Disclosure training is mandatory for residence and LOCUS dons, Orientation Week ice breakers, student leaders in the undergraduate students’ unions, and staff in Wilf’s and the Turret. Disclosure training is available for all staff and faculty. Sexual violence and consent education, including on how to report and access support, is also offered to all first-year students during Orientation Week.

Laurier community members can also get involved through LSPIRG’s Advocates for a Student Culture of Consent, an intersectional feminist, activist collective that is passionate about ending sexual violence, and Male Allies, which works to engage boys and men in ending systemic and everyday forms of gender-based violence. 

Laurier regularly reviews and updates its Prevention of Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures and the programs and services it offers to prevent and address sexual violence on campus through the Gendered and Sexual Violence Task Force, launched in 2014. The task force includes action groups on gendered and sexual violence response and education and a student advisory committee.

Resources and supports:

Laurier’s Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Supports:

Crisis lines:

Sexual Assault Support and Crisis Lines:

  • Waterloo: 519.741.8633
  • Brantford: 519.751.3471

Here 24/7 crisis support and referrals:

Good2Talk, for postsecondary students in Ontario:

Support Service for Male Survivors of Sexual Assault:

  • 1.888.887.0015

LGBTQ Youth Line (4 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Friday):

  • Call 1.800.268.9688
  • Text 647.694.4275

Trans Lifeline (staffed by transgender people for transgender people):

  • 1.877.330.6366

Counselling:

The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region:

  • 519.741.8633

The Sexual Assault Centre of Brant: 

  • 519.751.3471

Waterloo Student Wellness Centre:

Brantford Student Wellness Centre:

In an emergency:

  • Call 911

Special Constable Services:

  • Waterloo: 519.885.3333 (external phones) or x3333 (on-campus phones)
  • Brantford: 519.770.3778 (external phones) or x3333 (on-campus phones)
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