Responding to a Disclosure
Some key steps for supporting someone who has been subjected to sexual violence include:
- Believe them.
- Thank them for sharing.
- Validate their feelings.
- Reassure them that the assault was not their fault.
- Ask them how they want to be supported.
- Address immediate needs.
- Don’t tell them what to do.
- Respect what they decide to do.
- When they are ready, make them aware of additional resources.
Toolkit: Who Do I Tell? How Do I Tell?
Disclosure refers to the sharing of information by a Member of the University Community or Visitor with the Sexualized Violence Advisor about an experience of Sexualized Violence that individual has had. You can choose to share as much or as little information as you want. The SVA shall listen compassionately without judgement and inform you about this Policy, supports and services available.
A Disclosure and a Report are separate actions that a a Member of the University Community can choose to take. A Visitor can only make a Disclosure.
A Disclosure does not result in a Report being made and does not initiate the Investigative or Non-Investigative Streams under this Policy.
There is no deadline to make a Disclosure or Report.
* Disclosures and Reports of Sexualized Violence will be kept confidential to the greatest extent possible, within the limitations described in the Policy.
Your Guide to Responding When Someone Shares an Experience of Non-Academic Misconduct (Yellow Folder)
Review the Yellow Folder for information about responding to students (or other members of the Dal community) when they share an experience of non-academic misconduct.
See also:
- Blue Folder (Your Guide to Responding to Students in Distress) - login required
Purple Folder is your guide to responding when someone share an experience of Sexualized Violence.
As we continue to shift towards a climate on campus that promotes positive consent culture and encourages frank, open, and honest conversations, we recognize that this may bring about difficult, uncomfortable, and heavy conversations. The Purple Folder outlines positive and negative responses, resources and supports that exist on campus and in the community, referral options, and other resources to help you navigate those discussions. Our Sexualized Violence Advisor is available to provide support in answering any questions, debriefing, and follow up.
Additionally, the Purple Folder has some inserts that may be useful in responding to an experience of sexualized violence in a survivor-centred and trauma-informed manner.
Fostering Safe, Caring, and Non-Judgemental Responses
Support and Resources After Experiencing Sexualized Violence
Reporting to the Sexualized Violence Advisor
Reporting to Police
