Whether one is the direct victim of a crime, the roommate, the best friend, the boyfriend called immediately after a victimization, or the witness to a crime, there is fallout that needs to be addressed, questions to be answered, decisions to be made, and short- and long-term ongoing needs to be met -- all related to the initial victimization. So, whether you’re looking at missed classes or class work; emergency needs; anticipated disruption that may occur due to involvement in the a judicial or criminal court process, or you need resources to deal with the fallout, S.H.A.R.E. has the knowledge, experience and resources to help.
While counselling is a valuable component in the recovery process for a victim, S.H.A.R.E.’s focus is to look at the overall picture of the victim’s needs, providing or obtaining information, serving as the liaison so that the student can retain privacy in all campus-related interventions (such as with professors for missed classes), and meeting the distinct needs relating to the crime itself or its impact. Excellent counseling services are available through Student Life by calling 364-2255. S.H.A.R.E. can make referrals to Personal Counsellors at students’ request.
Absolutely! We realize that not all victims choose to report. In fact, students are less likely than non-students to report violence committed against them. As advocates, S.H.A.R.E.’s role is to ensure that you have information that can help you make choices based on your needs, provide intervention that is discreet and does not identify information you wish to keep private, and offer resources that specifically address your immediate and long-term needs.
The fact is that most crimes committed against students occur off campus and that holds true even for those who live on campus. If you become a victim of a crime, no matter where the crime occurs on or off campus, S.H.A.R.E. services are available free of charge to all currently enrolled students.
S.H.A.R.E. can help after any incident considered a crime against the person. Examples include any form of discrimination or harassment, sexual or physical assault, and relationship violence. S.H.A.R.E. recognizes that both males and females, are vulnerable to any type of crime. S.H.A.R.E. is here to help you, the student, to get the help you need.
- Head hair and pubic hair combings
- Fingernail scrapings
- Oral, rectal, and vaginal cultures and smears with specimens sent to crime lab for DNA testing and STI testing
- Blood draws for syphilis testing and crime lab testing
- Clothing worn at the time of the crime
At the same time, the patient will receive examination and treatment for injuries, sexual transmitted diseases, possible pregnancy. Medications and follow up will also be arranged. Since sexual assault protocol exams are specialized exams, conducted by medical staff specifically trained in this area, not every hospital has the capability of performing them.
- Examination and testing for STIs
- Access to morning after pill within 72 hours of the assault
- Pregnancy testing
- Referrals for further treatment and counseling
If you are unsure of what you what you want to do S.H.A.R.E. can review your options with you. (Emergency 540-7427 Office: 364-2613)
There is no such thing as a typical victim or typical victim response. Sexual harassment and sexual assault are caused solely by the assailant or harasser. Nothing the victim says or does causes the assault or harassment. Some of the things that have been observed and that might signal that someone has been harassed or assaulted follow below. |
- Shock
- Denial
- Fear
- Confusion
- General Nervousness and/or Anxiety
- Withdrawal
- Guilt
- Distrust of others
- Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Emotional detachment
- Sleep disturbances
- Flashbacks and/or Mental replay of assault
- Depression
- Attempted or completed suicide
- Alienation
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Unhealthy diet-related behaviors such as appetite loss or overeating
- Vomiting
- Strained relationships with the victim’s family, friends, and intimate partners
- Less emotional support from friends and family
- Less frequent contact with friends and relatives
- Lower likelihood of further sexual relationships
- Unprotected sex
- Choosing unhealthy sexual partners
- Having multiple sex partners
- Trading sex for food, money, or other items
- Using or abusing harmful substances, including:
- cigarettes
- alcohol
- drugs
To join the white ribbon campaign at Mount A contact SHARE by emailing harassment@mta.ca and put "White Ribbon Campaign" in the subject line.
10 THINGS MEN CAN DO TO PREVENT GENDER VIOLENCE
1. Approach gender violence as a MEN'S issue involving men of all ages and socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. View men not only as perpetrators or possible offenders, but as empowered bystanders who can confront abusive peers
2. If a brother, friend, classmate, or teammate is abusing his female partner -- or is disrespectful or abusive to girls and women in general -- don't look the other way. If you feel comfortable doing so, try to talk to him about it. Urge him to seek help. Or if you don't know what to do, consult a friend, a parent, a professor, or a counselor. DON'T REMAIN SILENT.
3. Have the courage to look inward. Question your own attitudes. Don't be defensive when something you do or say ends up hurting someone else. Try hard to understand how your own attitudes and actions might inadvertently perpetuate sexism and violence, and work toward changing them.
4. If you suspect that a woman close to you is being abused or has been sexually assaulted, gently ask if you can help.
5. If you are emotionally, psychologically, physically, or sexually abusive to women, or have been in the past, seek professional help NOW.
6. Be an ally to women who are working to end all forms of gender violence. Support the work of campus-based women's groups. Attend "Take Back the Night" rallies, December 6 memorials and other public events. Raise money for community-based rape crisis centers and women's shelters. If you belong to a sports team or other student group, organize a fundraiser.
7. Recognize and speak out against homophobia and gay-bashing. Discrimination and violence against lesbians and gays are wrong in and of themselves. This abuse also has direct links to sexism (eg. the sexual orientation of men who speak out against sexism is often questioned, a conscious or unconscious strategy intended to silence them. This is a key reason few men do so).
8. Attend programs, take courses, watch films, and read articles and books about multicultural masculinities, gender inequality, and the root causes of gender violence. Educate yourself and others about how larger social forces affect the conflicts between individual men and women.
9. Don't fund sexism. Refuse to purchase any magazine, rent any video, subscribe to any Web site, or buy any music that portrays girls or women in a sexually degrading or abusive manner. Protest sexism in the media.
10. Mentor and teach young boys about how to be men in ways that don't involve degrading or abusing girls and women. Volunteer to work with gender violence prevention programs, including anti-sexist men's programs. Lead by example