By Sarine Guerian
@sarinegulerian
In 2016, the government finally mandated British Columbia Universities to implement sexual assault policies. Previous to this, campus resources for survivors were scarce and often non-existent. Since these policies have been implemented, it’s important to know what to do and where to go if it happens to you or someone you know.
Almost one in four—or in other words, 15-25 per cent of women will be sexually assaulted in University.
The Red Zone is a name given to the first six to eight weeks of school when a disproportionate amount of sexual assaults take place. The timeline of The Red Zone ranges from your arrival on campus in August or September until October. It is when you’re at your most vulnerable, when you’re still unfamiliar with your surroundings and when you’re desperately looking to fit in with new friends whom are still practically strangers.
Be aware and be prepared.
University of British Columbia
If you, or someone you know, has been sexually assaulted at UBC Vancouver:
1. GO TO A SAFE PLACE
a. Seek out trusted friends for a safe place to stay
b. If you need to find new housing:
i. Student Housing and Housing Services Main Office
ii. Janice Robinson, Director, Residence Life and Administration 604.822.5779
c. After-hours: Campus Security: 604.822.2222
2. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
If you need a support worker to accompany you call the AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre at 604.827.5180.
a. UBC Hospital Urgent Care Dept. 604.822.7222
b. Vancouver General Hospital Sexual Assault Service (24-hour service): 604.875.2881
i. 899 12th Avenue W Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1M9
c. Student Health Service (does not include forensic exams): 604.822.7011
d. UBC Hospital: 604.822.7121
i. UBC Hospital – Koerner Pavilion, 2211 Wesbrook Mall Vancouver, B.C. V6T 2B5
If you, or someone you know, has been sexually assaulted at UBCO:
1. GO TO A SAFE PLACE
a. Seek out trusted friends for a safe place to stay
b. UBC Campus Security emergency line: 250.807.8111
c. Crisis Response Line 250.807.9270 UNC 331
d. UBC Okanagan Health and Wellness 250.807.9270
i. Open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
e. If you need to find new housing
i. Student Housing and Housing Services Main Office
ii. Main Office & Front Desk 250.807.8050, Toll Free 1.888.318.8666
2. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
a. Emergency/First Aid/Security on campus 250.807.8111
b. Kelowna General Hospital, on 2268 Pandosy Street, 250.862.4000
Click here for more emergency and non-emergency numbers for both campuses.
3. REPORTING AT UBC
If you are in Vancouver and the Sexual Violence and Prevention and Response Office is unavailable, contact Jennifer Hollinshead and the team of Counsellors at Peak Resilience-they will be acting on behalf of the office until it is fully operational.
You can submit a report of sexual assault of misconducts against a member if the UBC community to the Myrna McCallum the Director or Investigations by calling 604.827.1875, or emailing her at director.of.investigations@ubc.ca. If in the Okanogan, contact Interim Director of Investigations, Stephanie Vellins, a lawyer who has familiarity with sexual assault investigations at with UBC at 604.822.1897.
Upon submission, the Director of Investigations will do an initial review to determine if the case falls under UBC jurisdiction. If it does, UBC will appoint an investigator to find an alternative resolution process and follow the procedures outlined in section 3 and 4 of Policy 131 Sexual Assault and Other Sexual Misconduct.
If you, or someone you know, has been sexually assaulted at TRU:
1. GO TO A SAFE PLACE
a. Seek out trusted friends for a safe place to stay
b. If you need to find new housing call your Residence Manager or Advisor.
c. Campus Security is available 24 hours 7 days a week: 250.828.5033
d. Contact Amber Huva, Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Manager at 250.852.7196 or ahuva@tru.ca
2. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
a. KAMLOOPS: Call or go to the Royal Inland Hospital Emergency department which is open 24 hours or 7 days a week 250.374.5111
1. 311 Columbia St Kamloops, B.C. V2C 2T1
b. Kamloops Sexual Assault Centre: 250.372.0179
1. 235 First Avenue #601, Kamloops, BC V2C 3J4
2. Sexual Assault centre does not include an evidence collection kit.
c. WILLIAMS LAKE: Call or go to the Caribou Memorial Hospital which is open 24 hours or 7 days a week: 250.392.4411
i. 517 North 6th Avenue Williams Lake, B.C. V2G 2G8
Click here for a more detailed reference guide.
3. DISCLOSURE AND REPORTING
Disclosure is when a student confides in someone they are comfortable with—a residential assistant, professor etc. They will refer the survivor to the appropriate resources and support which could potentially lead to the reporting process.
TRU will assist anyone wishing to make a report to the police. Survivors will be supported by Sexual Violence and Response Manager Amber Huva, you can reach her by email ahuva@tru.ca or the counselling department at 250.828.5023. After the report has been submitted an investigation process will take place.
For more information about TRU’s sexual violence policy, click here.
If you, or someone you know, has just been sexually assaulted at SFU:
1. GO TO A SAFE PLACE
a. Seek out trusted friends for a safe place to stay
b. Contact school security 24/7 number 778.782.4500
i. Available services include transportation to hospitals for forensic testing, safety planning options, assistance with reporting to police as well as anonymity options.
c. Coordinated Sexual Violence Support, contact Director of Community Safety and Personal Security Advisor Julie Glazier at 778.782.8473 or safe@sfu.ca
2. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
a. Health Clinic on both campuses offer:
i. Counselling
ii. Pregnancy tests
iii. STI test and treatment
iv. Emergency Contraceptive (Plan B, copper IUD or “morning after” pills)
b. Go to Burnaby Memorial Hospital: 604.434.4211
i. 3935 Kincaid St Burnaby, B.C. V5G 2X6
c. Call VictimLink BC at 1.800.563.0808 for 24/7 assistance.
3. REPORTING
The assault does not have to occur on SFU campuses or at SFU events. The perpetrator does not have to be a member of the SFU community. You can report the crime by contacting Director of Community Safety and Personal Security Advisor Julie Glazier at 778.782.8473 or safe@sfu.ca. You can report and request that there be no investigation. You can report the crime and request an investigation by SFU or Police. You can remain anonymous by calling or requesting a care package. They will provide any and every service available.
Click here for more campus resources.
If you, or someone you know, has just been sexually assaulted at UVIC:
1. GO TO A SAFE PLACE
a. Seek out trusted friends for a safe place to stay
b. Campus Security: 250.721.7599
c. UVIC’s Anti-Violence Project (not available 24/7)
i. Support 250.472.438
ii. Email info@antiviolenceproject.org
2. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
a. UVic Health and Services Doctor on-call for after hours at 250.661.2639
b. Call 911 if you need emergency medical assistant
c. Royal Jubilee Hospital: 250.370.8000
i. 1952 Bay Street Victoria, BC V8R 1J8
3. REPORTING
Informal reporting can include anonymous disclosure, such as a request for help from counselling, health services, employee assistance, the office of Equity and Human Rights, or talking to a residence leader, faculty or staff member or referral to a campus or off-campus support group or professional. It doesn’t initiate an investigation.
Formally reporting can be anonymous but the expectation is that the university will take further action. For instance, reporting an incident to Student Affairs, Campus Security, Human Resources can be the start of a process that includes an investigation and a range of outcomes based on the findings. To formally report sexualized violence contact Equity & Human Rights Office at 250.721.8786 or visit the office in Sedgewick Building C wing – C115. For an incident report form, click here.
For more information about UVIC’s sexual violence policy, click here.
Sarine enjoys poorly timed jokes, alcohol and politics—preferably together. She identifies most with Christopher Hitchens, Bridget Jones and anyone under 4’10. Her interests vary from Harry Potter trivia and hiking to ’90s and ’00s romantic comedies starring Tom Hanks.
