Introduction

Welcome to: “It Takes All of Us: Creating a Campus Community Free of Sexual Violence”

This learning program strives to increase awareness of sexual violence in order to help shift
campus culture to one of respect and consent, and to create a community free of sexual
violence.

This course contains audio throughout.

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Select this button at any time if you are feeling overwhelmed by the material.

This training is an important part of creating a culture of consent and respect at our campus and
throughout broader communities.

There are four modules in this training. With the help of character driven scenarios you will learn
about sexual violence and who is impacted, how consent means more than "yes means yes",
how to intervene if you see something inappropriate happening, and what to do if someone tells
you they have been sexually assaulted.

It is important to stay informed about these issues because they arise in everyday life.

• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience sexual violence at some point during their
lifetime
• There is a higher risk during the first 8 weeks of a semester
Having this kind of knowledge is a base line for healthy relationships.

These issues can be difficult topics. If you are feeling overwhelmed at any point you can exit.
You can also press the ‘feeling overwhelmed” button.

Don’t forget to consult the resources if you need more support. There are links to more
information throughout this training.

Can you recognize sexual violence? Can it be verbal? Can it occur between people in a
relationship?

Can you recognize when someone is giving consent? Should you pay attention to non-verbal
indications? How can intoxication complicate consent?

Are you able to intervene if you witnessed sexual harassment? Can you recognize a situation
that could escalate to sexual violence? Would you voice your disapproval to a friend who cat-
called someone in the street?

Are you able to respond if a friend told you they had experienced sexual assault? Are you aware
of the reasons why it can be difficult to disclose an experience of sexual violence? Would you
be able to offer support in a comforting, non-judgmental way?
Module 1: Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence is more prevalent than you may realize and can take many forms, affecting
diverse individuals and communities.

What is Sexual Violence?

Consider this: A university student walks down the street and a group of young men yells
sexually explicit phrases at her out of their car’s windows. Is this sexual violence?

A young man works as a part-time barista at an on-campus café, and his male manager gropes
him even after he has turned down the other’s sexual advances. Is this sexual violence?

After not reciprocating interest in hooking-up during a conversation on a dating app, a user
starts bombarding the other person with sexually explicit messages and pictures. Is this sexual
violence?

A university student posts an explicit photo of a classmate online without their permission. Is this
sexual violence?

The answer to all of the scenarios is yes.

Sexual violence can take a variety of forms, sometimes subtle and sometimes overt, but it
affects people of all genders and sexual orientations.

Sexual violence is any violence, physical or psychological, carried out through sexual means or
by targeting sexuality. It’s an umbrella term that includes both sexual assault and sexual
harassment.

The difference between the two is that sexual assault involves unwanted and non-consensual
contact of a sexual nature (for example, being kissed or grabbed without their consent). Sexual
harassment is without physical contact, meaning it’s unwanted behavior that targets someone’s
sexuality. Its things like sending sexual photos to someone without their consent, or yelling
sexualized remarks at someone on the street. It can be an ongoing situation or a one off.

Both are defined by the fact that they are situations that are unwanted by the person who
experiences it and often leaves them feeling violated. Neither are things that are asked for by
how someone acts, flirts, or dresses.

Sexual violence is more prevalent than you may realize. According to the Canadian 2014
General Social Survey, only 1 in every 20 sexual assaults are reported to the police

The following statistics on sexual violence only show a small percentage of the real numbers,
and are only a few examples:

44% of lesbians and 61% of bisexual women experience rape, physical violence, or stalking by
an intimate partner, compared to 35% of heterosexual women.
26% of gay men and 37% of bisexual men experience rape, physical violence, or stalking by an
intimate partner, compared to 29 % of heterosexual men.

1 in 2 transgender people will experience sexual assault within their lifetime.

99% of accused perpetrators are male.

It is important to understand that sexual violence affects communities and individuals differently
based on positionality within society.

1 in 4 women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime.

Due to the intersection of sexism and racism, women of colour experience sexual assault at
least 3x times more often.

The women that experience high rates of sexual violence are immigrants, visible minorities, sex
workers, trans women, women with mental health conditions, women with disabilities, and First
Nations, Inuit and Metis women.

Transgender women of colour experience high rates of sexual violence because of the
prevalence of both racism and transphobia.

83% of women with disabilities are sexually assaulted in their lives.

57% First Nations, Inuit, and Metis women experience sexual violence within their lifetime.

Though it may not be widely discussed, men also experience sexual violence. At least 1 in 6
men have experienced sexual violence.

It is challenging for men to come forward because there are a lack of resources equipped to
provide services to male survivors, in addition to the misassumption that men cannot be
sexually assaulted.

Many people aren’t aware of why, and where, sexual violence occurs. Consider these two
scenarios:
• Person A is walking home from class late at night.
• Person B is at home watching a movie with their date.
Who is statistically more at risk of sexual assault, Person A or Person B? Select from the
options below.

Yes, that’s right. Person B is more at risk because 70% of sexual assaults happen within a
home or place of residence and 80% by someone known to the person who experiences it.

Although it does happen, sexual assault is not often committed by a stranger lurking in a dark
ally. This is a myth called “stranger danger”. It’s important to know because believing that sexual
violence only happens by strangers when the survivor is doing something “risky” can lead to
victim blaming, which is blaming the survivor for their own sexual assault.

Blaming the survivor makes it harder for them to come forward.

No, that’s wrong. Person B is more at risk because 70% of sexual assaults happen within a
home or place of residence and 80% by someone known to the person who experiences it.

Although it does happen, sexual assault is not often committed by a stranger lurking in a dark
ally. This is a myth called “stranger danger”. Its important to know because believing that sexual
violence only happens by strangers when the survivor is doing something “risky” can lead to
victim blaming, which is blaming the survivor for their own sexual assault.

Blaming the survivor makes it harder for them to come forward.

We have reached the end of module 1.

In this module, we learned that sexual violence is an umbrella term that includes a variety of
acts and behaviors including sexual assault and harassment.

Sexual violence is experienced by people of all genders and sexual orientations, with very high
rates of sexual violence experienced by already marginalized women.

We also learned that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence in their lifetime,
and there’s a higher risk during the first 8 weeks of the semester.

This module also addressed some common myths about sexual violence, and taught us that
sexual violence often occurs in a home or place of residence by someone known to the survivor.
Module 2: Sexual Consent

There are multiple factors that can complicate consent, making it more complex than "yes
means yes". Asking for consent is part of a healthy relationship.

Talking about sex and consent may be new for you, and not what you are used to. Consider
this scenario: Person A and B are kissing. Person B wants to put their hand on Person A’s
thigh, but is afraid talking will kill the mood. Will it? Select your answer from the options below.

Yes, it will kill the mood

No, it will not kill the mood

Yes, that’s right. Asking for consent every step of the way is the opposite of killing the mood! It's
not just boxes to check, it's the key to fun and mutually enjoyable sex. Consent is a voluntary
affirmation that someone is totally on board with what is happening and wants to be doing it,
whatever “it” is!

No, that’s wrong. Asking for consent every step of the way is the opposite of killing the mood!
It's not just boxes to check, it's the key to fun and mutually enjoyable sex. Consent is a voluntary
active affirmation that someone is totally on board with what is happening and wants to be doing
it, whatever “it” is!

Consent is the voluntary affirmation that someone is in agreement with what is happening and
wants to be participating, and it is never implied. In addition to these points, consent is also:

Continuous: Asking for consent every step of the way is a way to communicate with your
partner and ensure an enjoyable experience. This is especially important if you’re changing
what you’re doing.

Active: The person initiating an act (i.e. going to kiss someone, etc...) is continuously checking
in for consent and not assuming the other person is okay with something. On that note, its
absolutely okay for someone to change their mind and withdraw consent at anytime.

Mutual: Everyone wants what is happening to be happening and no one feels pressured or
coerced. Consent is all about respecting someone else’s desires and needs.

Clear: There should be no ambiguity when it comes to consent. If it’s ambiguous then there is a
good chance you need to check in with your partner(s) verbally to ensure you're reading signs
correctly.

Alex and Jesse met in class and hit it off. They agree to meet up over the weekend to study at
Jesse’s place. Jesse is hoping that the study date will turn into something more intimate. The
two set up in Jesse’s bedroom and studying quickly turns into mutual flirting, and Jesse asks to
kiss Alex. Alex nods enthusiastically in agreement. After kissing for a few minutes, Alex starts to
undress Jesse, but notices Jesse’s body tense up and pull away. Alex asks if everything is
okay, but Jesse doesn’t respond and looks away. Alex stops and asks again, to which Jesse
shrugs and mumbles something.
Alex wants to continue, but is unsure if Jesse wants to as well. What should Alex do in this
situation? Select your answer from the options below.

Continue. Jesse didn’t say no.

Stop and check-in.

That’s not the way to handle this situation. Jesse didn’t say no, but Jesse also didn’t say yes.
Consent needs to be clear and enthusiastic. Silence or lack of “no” doesn’t mean someone is
consenting.

Jesse is also giving cues with body language. Looking away, being still or rigid, not
reciprocating, crying, or looking uncomfortable are all signals to stop.

It's important to get consent from your partner for all sexual acts. Remember to ask, listen to
verbal and non-verbal cues, and respect their decision.

If your partner does not want this 100%, then you need to wait for a time when you both will
enjoy every part of it.

Yes, that’s the correct way to handle this situation.

Jesse’s body language and verbal response both indicate discomfort. Stopping and checking in
is an important part of making sure everyone is having fun with what is happening. It's important
to get consent from your partner for all sexual acts. Remember to ask, listen to verbal and non-
verbal cues, and respect their decision. If your partner does not want this 100%, then you need
to wait for a time when you both will enjoy every part of it.

Consent is both verbal and non-verbal, but to be completely sure you have someone’s consent,
verbal check-ins are the best way to go. Here are some lists of potential signs someone is
giving consent.

Verbal Affirmations: An Excited “yes” to what is being proposed, “I’m sure”, “Don’t stop”, “I
want you to..” “That feels good” “I feel good about this”, “That sounds great”, “Can you please
do…” etc…

There are also non-verbal check-ins that are potential signs that someone is giving consent:

Non-Verbal Affirmations: Excitedly nodding of the head, eye contact, sounds of enjoyment,
pulling someone closer, being actively engaged physically, etc…

It’s important to remember that these are generalizations and everyone communicates
differently, and many of us have different abilities and needs concerning non-verbal and
physical communication. Because of this, non-verbal communication is easily misinterpreted if
we do not know someone well, and sometimes even if we do! To be sure, verbal check-ins are
the clearest form of consent. Go on to the next section to learn more about how to talk about
what you like and don’t like.
How do you talk about consent? Different aspects of our identity such as our culture, race,
sexual orientation, abilities, gender identity, and experience with trauma greatly influence how
we talk about and view sex.

Many of us have been taught to be ashamed of our sexuality and not to be explicit about what
we do, and do not, like in bed. It’s important to talk about sex because we are all so different
and we need to understand each other’s preferences because, not only is it a way to have great
sex, assuming we know what someone wants and acting on that can lead to sexual assault.

When do you talk about consent? Before, during, and after sexual activities.

Select the words below to get an idea of how to communicate about consent before, during and
after sex with someone. When we say sex we mean any type of sexual contact, not just
penetration.

Before initiating anything sexual with someone, ask and wait for an answer. This may seem
awkward at first, but after awhile it does become a natural and sensual part of communicating
with people you’re hooking up with.

You can ask things like:

Can I kiss you?
Can I touch you [wherever you want to touch them]?
Can I send you a sexy photo?
Can I hold your hand?
Where do you like to be touched?
How do you like to be touched?
What kind of things are you comfortable doing?
What do you feel not ready for?

A great way to check-in and make sure the person is still consenting is by verbally asking things
like:

Does this feel good?

What would you like to do next?
Want me to keep going?
Do you want to try something else?
How are you feeling?
I would like to do "fill in the blank", how does that sound?
I would like you to do "fill in the blank" to me, how do you feel about that?

It’s also important to check non-verbal cues as sometimes people feel ashamed to say no.

STOP and ASK: If the person seems to no longer be enjoying themselves or seems
uncomfortable, stop and ask how they are doing.

WATCH, LISTEN, & RESPECT: If there is any hesitation, or they want to stop, respect their
decision. Do not pressure them to keep going.

It may not come naturally at first, but a great way to make sure everyone is still feeling good is
to talk about whatever you did afterwards.
It can be as simple as asking “How was that for you?” Or “Is there anything you would have
liked to be different?”

What's important to remember is to listen to a person's words, body language, and actions, and
then respect what they are saying.

If someone does feel like they wanted something else, it's not about you, but about what they
are comfortable with.

When talking about consent, it is important to pay attention to a person’s ability to give consent.
If you or your companion have been drinking or taking drugs, there is a strong possibility that
you both won’t be able to pick up on important non-verbal and verbal cues that are the basis of
consent.

Your friend Simon goes to a party where he runs into Sam, a classmate. They have both been
drinking, and when Simon finds Sam later that night, Simon asks if everything is okay. Sam
responds by trying to kiss Simon, and then stumbles towards a bedroom mumbling for Simon to
follow. Simon is very attracted to Sam, but is not sure if Sam’s state of intoxication gives them
the ability to give consent.

What do you think Simon should do?

Follow Sam to the bedroom and see where things go. After all, it was Sam who initiated, and
therefore has given their consent.

Ask Sam if what is happening is okay, and if they should keep going or stop.

Stop Sam, make sure they are okay, and suggest exchanging numbers so they can meet up
another night, when they can give their consent soberly.

That’s not the way to handle this situation. Regardless of Sam initiating the sexual activity, it’s
clear that Sam is far too intoxicated to consent.

Sam might say that everything is fine, but knowing that Sam can barely walk is a clear indication
that

Sam is not in a state of mind to give consent. In this situation, it’s best to stop and meet up
another time when both people are in a state of mind to consent.

When talking about consent, it is important to pay attention to a person’s ability to give
consent. Otherwise, this situation could or may lead to sexual assault.

That’s not quite right. It’s always a good idea to stop and check in with your partner, but it’s not
enough in this situation because Sam is clearly far too intoxicated to consent.

Sam might say that everything is fine, but knowing that Sam can barely walk is a clear indication
that Sam is not in a state of mind to give consent. In this situation, it’s best to stop and meet up
another time when both people are in a state of mind to consent.
When talking about consent, it is important to pay attention to a person’s ability to give
consent. Otherwise, this situation could or may lead to sexual assault.

Yes, that’s how to properly handle this situation. When talking about consent, it is important to
pay attention to a person’s ability to give consent. The best thing to do is to stop. Since Sam is
incredibly intoxicated, there are concerns about their ability to give consent. Stopping now is not
a missed opportunity to hook up. They can exchange numbers and find a time when they’re
both are in a state of mind to consent.

Having sex when drinking or doing drugs totally happens, but intoxication does complicate
consent. Here’s why;

1. People often take different substances or are on different levels. Meaning neither person
is communicating in a way that the other fully understands. This can lead to
misunderstandings, which can lead to someone being violated.
2. Drinking lowers our ability to pick up on body cues. Meaning someone may be crossing
their arms and withdrawing (i.e., saying no non-verbally), but we may not notice and
proceed despite not having consent.

Everyone has different limits for drugs and alcohol, and those are not always clear to the people
they are partying with. For one person, one beer may be their limit to being able to consent to
sex, whereas five might be the max for someone else.

Does this mean all intoxicated sex is not consensual?

No.

Not all sex while intoxicated is sexual assault, but, like we said, mixing intoxication and sex
increases the chances of boundaries being crossed and people feeling violated.

Here are some tips on how to check in with the other person and yourself if drugs and alcohol
are involved and you’re looking to hook up.

Ask yourself the following:

1. Can this person clearly talk about consent and what they would like to do with you?
If they can’t and seem distracted or can’t stay on track, they are most likely too
intoxicated.

2. Are they slumping, not walking straight, or closing their eyes?

These are signs someone is too intoxicated to consent and you should absolutely hold
off.

3. Is there an imbalance regarding one of you being more drunk or high than the other?
You should wait until you both sober up and know for certain you want to hook up.

4. Is the person passed out?

Unconscious people cannot consent and any sexual activity is automatically sexual
assault.
Holding off on hooking up with someone does not mean it’s a lost opportunity and can often be
the best option for everyone involved.

Consent also becomes more complicated when there is a power dynamic because the ability to
freely consent becomes questionable.

Can a coach and an athlete have a relationship if the coach has power over the athlete’s
career?

Can a professor and their student have a relationship if the professor can influence the student’s
grades?

Can an orientation student leader have a relationship with students under their supervision if
they are responsible for the safety of their peers?

The student and the athlete might feel pressured to do things they do not want to because of
these power dynamics, which is why consent is more complicated.

In this module, we learned that consent is active, continuous, mutual, and always clear and that
it’s an important part of a mutually satisfying and fun sexual activity.
We learned that if you’re unsure if you have consent, you need to stop and ask your partner if
they want to continue, listen to what they have to say, and respect their decision.

We also learned about verbal and non-verbal cues, how to talk about consent before, during,
and after sex. As well as how intoxication complicates consent by effecting a person’s state of
mind and ability to give consent. We reviewed how power dynamics complicate consent due to
the authority figure having, with respect to the other person, the potential to alter their future
academic path or opportunities for success.
Module 3: Bystander Intervention

Recognizing that a situation is escalating to sexual violence can be scary. Knowing how to
intervene safely is vital for you and for everyone involved.

Imagine a scenario where a man is yelling sexual comments at a woman walking down the
street. There are several witnesses nearby.

These six people are considered bystanders. Bystanders are people who are present when an
event takes place, but are not directly involved.

The first two bystanders don’t react because they assume that someone will intervene. This is
called the bystander effect. Unfortunately, the more people that witness a situation, the less
likely anyone will intervene. Statically, people will intervene 80% of the time if alone, but only
20% when not.

Two bystanders tell the man to stop yelling. This is called bystander intervention. Bystander
intervention is when a person sees a situation and voices an opinion about someone else’s
language and/or behaviour that is inappropriate, hurtful, abusive, or dangerous.

The first step to intervening is to recognize that the situation is one that could lead to sexual
assault. Behaviour that can lead to sexual assault exists on a continuum from one end with
healthy, mutually respectful and safe behaviours all the way to the opposite end with sexually
abusive and violent behaviours.

It’s important to intervene along one of the points on the continuum before the situation
escalates.

Look out for the following:

• Behaving in a way that feels inappropriate, threatening, or harassing
• Making offensive jokes or comments
• Displaying possessiveness, extreme jealousy, and/or aggression
• Saying or doing something that just doesn’t feel right

A situation requires action if it is dangerous, appears to be escalating, or if the behaviour does

not seem like it is going to stop on its own.

Step 2: If you can, it’s important to check in with the person being targeted to make sure they
are comfortable with an intervention and that a bystander taking action will not put the targeted
person in more danger.

Step 3: Choose an intervention strategy

Every situation is going to be different, and there isn’t one way to intervene. However, there are
3D’s that can help give you ideas of what is possible: distract, direct, and delegate.

Distract: Create a distraction or redirect the focus of either party to ensure they can get out of
the situation.
If it’s appropriate, use humour or an excuse to divert the attention of the perpetrator. This
creates an opportunity for the target of the behaviour to exit the situation.

Direct: Confront the harmful behaviour directly, so the target of the behaviour is empowered to
leave the situation or the perpetrator can make the choice to stop.

This can include stepping in to separate the individuals and using assertive language.

Direct intervention can also take the form of asking the targeted person, “Are you okay?” Or “Do
you need help?”

Challenging inappropriate jokes and language by stating your discomfort or disapproval is also a
great way to intervene.

Delegate: Ask others to get involved to help take charge of the situation, for example, friends, a
supervisor, security, or the police.

Addison and Manu are walking back to residence from the library. They see Jayna across the
street, who they recognize from class, and a guy walking behind her. He is whistling at her and
telling her to slow down and give him her number. Jayna looks uncomfortable, so Addison and
Manu walk over and begin chatting with Jayna even though they’ve never really talked before.
Jayna, Addison, and Manu continue to chat until the guy leaves.

Which of the 3 D’s did Addison and Manu use to intervene?

Distract, Direct or Delegate?

Yes, that’s right. Without talking to the person, Addison and Manu used Distract by engaging
Jayna in conversation to help her get away from the situation.

No, that’s not the intervention strategy they used. Addison and Manu used Distract by engaging
Jayna in conversation to help her get away from the situation.

Consider this: You and your friend are at a party to celebrate the end of exams. You quickly
notice a fellow student passed out on the couch with a beer in her hand. Later, you see two
guys who you don’t recognize carrying her out of the dorm room. You can’t find your friend and
you don’t feel safe intervening alone.

What should you do?

Stay out of it. My safety is important too.

Get help from staff, police, or campus security to intervene for me.

That’s not the way you should handle this situation. If it has escalated, it’s still important to
intervene, but without putting yourself in harm’s way. You can delegate to someone better
suited to intervening, like campus security, a bouncer at a bar, or someone of authority who has
the tools to stop the situation.
Yes, that’s right. If a situation has escalated, it’s still important to intervene, but without putting
yourself in harm’s way. You can delegate to someone better suited to intervening, like campus
security, a bouncer at a bar, or someone of authority who has the tools to stop the situation.

In this module, we have learned how to define bystander, bystander intervention, and the
bystander effect.

We learned what behaviours can lead to sexual assault so that we can intervene before a
situation escalates.

This module gave us ideas of how to intervene in a situation using the 3 D’s, Distract, direct,
and delegate, and it reminded us to always intervene safely!
Module 4: Supporting Survivors

Survivors of sexual violence can struggle with disclosing their experiences. It is important to
respond to a survivor’s disclosure in a supportive way.

Think about the scenarios we have seen, and the characters you have met.

How do you think Sam would have felt if things had continued despite being too intoxicated to
give consent?

How do you think the street harassment made Jayna feel before Addison and Manu intervened?

And what about Jesse? What might they have thought or felt if Alex had ignored their verbal and
non-verbal cues?

Considering internal and external factors, how can the scenarios we discussed affect a person?

Type your answers in the text box.

Did your answers consider the long-term impacts on their relationships, work, and school? How
about their self-esteem, emotions, and mental health? Everyone responds differently and there
is no one-way or correct way to respond to experiencing sexual violence.

Experiencing sexual violence can be a traumatic and violating experience. Healing from it is not
a linear process, and each person is going to have a unique reaction because no one survivor is
the same.

Many survivors struggle with feelings of shame, fear, anger, guilt, feeling alone, and feeling
misunderstood. Survivors may experience nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating and
sleeping, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

After a traumatic event, some people may overuse substances, develop eating disorders, do
self-harm, and contemplate or even attempt suicide. There can also be physical impacts, such
as unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and physical injuries.

Many people who experience sexual violence are hesitant to disclose, particularly for survivors
who are marginalized based on disability, ethno cultural or racial background, sexual
orientation, or gender identities. Many survivors fear that they won’t be believed, or that they will
blamed and shamed.
According to the Canadian 2014 General Social Survey, only 1 in every 20 sexual assaults are
reported to the police

Other barriers can include fear of reprisals, worry about upsetting friends or family, feeling
overwhelmed, or confused by the judicial process or other formal reporting avenues.

Some people have conflicted feelings about the perpetrator, particularly when the perpetrator is
a partner.
Myths about sexual violence, survivors, and perpetrators create some of these barriers. For
example, because we often grow up understanding sexual violence as something that is
perpetrated by a stranger and involving a physical attack and injuries, when someone’s
experience differs from that, which is more common than not it can be confusing, and lead to
questioning whether an experience “counts” as sexual violence. This can prevent survivors from
coming forward and seeking help.

You’re visiting your friend Jesse and you two begin talking about their study date Jesse had with
their crush, Alex, two days ago. This is the first date they’ve had in about a year and you want to
know all the details. Jesse tells you that studying led to flirting and then kissing. Jesse pauses,
takes a deep breath, and tells you Alex stopped everything when they stopped reciprocating.
You don’t understand why Jesse would stop kissing Alex suddenly, so you ask. Jesse explains
that they were sexually assaulted the year before. Kissing Alex was the first time Jesse has
been intimate with another person since the assault. Jesse discloses that they never told
anyone else about the assault because they think it’s their fault since they drank a lot that night.
Jesse still has nightmares about it, and doesn’t know what to do.

What are some supportive responses you can offer?

Select your answers from the list below.

All of those answers are correct approaches. There isn’t a perfect recipe for supporting
someone who has experienced sexual violence.

However, it can help to be “Survivor centred”, which is focusing on their needs and feelings, not
your own, and especially not those of the perpetrator.

Allow them to make their own decisions about next steps, and give them time to process the
event.

Believe them! Understand how hard it is to come forward when you’ve been sexually assaulted
or sexually harassed, and thank them for sharing this with you.

How you respond to a survivor is important, but remember that no one is perfect. Supporting
people comes with practice. If someone is disclosing to you and you feel nervous, try taking a
deep breath, remember the person trusts you enough to tell you this, and focus on listening
instead of talking. When telling their story, give them the time and space they need to share.
Respect their needs, feelings, and decisions on next steps – whatever they may be.

It can also be helpful to provide them with some relevant resources. There are places to get
help, both on and off campus. Resources on campus:

Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education (OSVRSE) 550 Sherbrooke West,
Suite 585 (West Tower 1-11 Elevators), 514-398-3954, osvrse@mcgill.ca

Sexual Assault Centre of the McGill Students’ Society (SACOMSS) 2075, 514- 398-8500,
main@sacomss.org

Take a look at this important document: McGill Policy Against Sexual Violence
Resource off campus: Montreal Sexual Assault Centre, CLSC Metro

Help over the phone: Sexual Assault Helpline (24/7) 514-933-9007

In this module, we learned about some of the consequences of sexual violence on survivors,
like the long-term physical and mental affects including shame, fear, guilt, post-traumatic stress
disorder, contemplating or attempting suicide, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted
infections, and physical injuries. We also learned some of the barriers survivors face when
disclosing their experience, such as fear of reprisals, being blamed, of not being believed. Then
we learned how to have a supportive response if someone tells us they have been sexually
assaulted or sexually harassed. Remember to listen, don’t judge, and respect their needs and
decisions. Finally, we learned about some key resources that you can provide to someone if
they want to seek help after experiencing sexual violence.
Conclusion

We’ve now explored the main topics of this learning program. Let’s take a final moment to revisit
the key points and the overall goal of the course.

Thank you for completing this training. In module 1, we learned how to define sexual violence,
we addressed some common myths. In module 2, we learned about consent, why it’s important
and how to talk about it before, during, and after a sexual situation. In module 3, we learned
how we can safely intervene using the 3D’s in situations, hopefully before they escalate to
sexual violence. In the last module, we learned some ways to respond when someone discloses
to you that they have experienced sexual violence, and became more aware of the impacts
sexual violence has on survivors and why it can be so difficult to come forward, as well as
resources that can help.
Increasing awareness of these topics is an important part of shifting campus culture to one of
respect and consent, and creating a community free of sexual violence.

If, after taking this course, you are concerned about something you have experienced, or are
concerned about your behavior towards another person, please consult the resources provided.

Before exiting, please take a moment to recognize the dedication and hard work of all those
involved in creating this learning program.

Thank you for completing this course.

For more information, click the resources tab above.