COVID-19 update: Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office staff are available for consultation, support and education for faculty, staff and students through online or phone appointments. Click here to contact us.
Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster Logo McMaster logo

Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office

Equity and Inclusion Office

Giving Support

Sexual violence is a traumatic experience. While every individual will react differently, the experience can have significant lasting effects, and can interrupt academic and professional goals, requiring workplace and academic accommodations. A supportive and non-judgemental initial response to a disclosure can make a significant difference on the person’s ability to seek out further supports.

Recognize, Respond, Refer

Information Box Group

All Community Members are responsible for contributing to an environment that is free of Sexual Violence, and for participating in relevant education and training programs.

Community members are not expected to be experts, but rather to “recognize, respond, and refer” appropriately, to appropriately support an individual who makes a Disclosure.

duotone of two hands holding eachother

Recognize

  • Be aware that experiencing sexual violence can be traumatic
  • Be aware that a positive disclosure experience is key
  • Be aware of cultural differences and power differences
  • Be aware of health and physical safety needs
duotone image of phone

Respond

  • Be open and approachable
  • Be compassionate and respectful
  • Listen actively and empathically
  • Provide validation and non-judgemental support
duotone arrow image

Refer

  • Share information about resources and refer the individual to the SVPRO
  • If limits of confidentiality apply, inform appropriate University official
  • Follow-up and check in with the individual, as appropriate
  • Consult and get support from the SVPRO Consultant as needed

Language Matters

The words you use to respond have an impact. Choose language that validates and empathizes, not language that questions and minimizes.

“Why did you go there?”

“Why were you drinking/taking drugs/etc.?”

“What were you thinking?”

“Did you SAY no?”

“Why would (the accused) do that to you?”

“(The accused) is such a good/nice/etc. person”.

“I can’t believe they would do that.”

“Are you sure that is what happened?”

“It could have been worse.”

“You shouldn’t feel that way.”

“You should report this so that you can make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

“You should get forensic evidence collected so that the case can go to court and the accused prosecuted.”

“I will do anything you need me to do.”

“Is this a good place to talk?”

“Do you feel comfortable in this space?”

“I’m sorry that this happened to you.”

“Do you think you might need medical attention?”

“Are you concerned for your physical safety?”

“Thank you for trusting me enough to come to me.”

“I think it took a lot of courage to share this.”

“You can share as little/much as you’d like.”

“It’s ok to feel a lot of different emotions…”

“It’s ok to feel nothing…”

“It makes sense to me that you feel…”

“Is there anything you would like me to do?”

“How can I help you best?”

“What do you need, if you know?”

“What I hear you saying is…”

“I’d like you to know there are options for support.”

Response Protocol

Staff, faculty and student leaders must follow the pertinent response protocols, outlined below.

If there is an imminent risk of physical harm, tell the person disclosing to you to contact 911 or their local emergency number and call McMaster Security Services (905-525-9140 ext. 24281) to inform them of the situation.

Disclosures of sexual violence must be brought to the SVPRO Consultant if they meet any of the following limits to confidentiality:

  1. There is a risk of harm (to self, others or the broader community)
  2. There is an obligation by law (if the person disclosing to you is under 16 years of age)
  3. There is an obligation by a regulatory body (if the accused belongs to a profession regulated by a college, such as social workers, nurses or physicians)

Expandable List

  1. Faculty and staff, acting in their capacity as supervisors within a Faculty, Academic Department, or Residence, and/or Workplace Supervisors are responsible for cooperating with the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office and/or the Intake Offices in the implementation of Accommodations and Interim Measures.
  2. Faculty and staff, who are health care providers, are required to maintain the confidentiality of patient information disclosed during a medical interaction (e.g. doctors, nurses) in accordance with their professional obligations.
  3. Members of the faculty and staff (with the exception of those identified above) who receive Disclosures must:
    1. Follow the Recognize, Respond, Refer guidelines for support;
    2. Maintain confidentiality within its limits;
      1. If the Limits of Confidentiality apply, discuss Limits with the person and immediately inform the SVPRO Consultant, or
      2. If it is unclear if the Limits of Confidentiality apply, contact the SVPRO Consultant, discussing the Disclosure without providing identifying information, unless the individual has given permission to do so, in order that the Consultant may assess whether the Limits to Confidentiality apply and appropriate next steps; and
    3. Liaise with the Consultant to ensure ongoing support, as needed.

If the limits to confidentiality apply:

  • During work hours: contact SVPRO Consultant
  • After work hours: contact Security Services (905-525-9140 ext. 24281) OR the student’s local sexual assault centre for 24/7 support by visiting the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres website
  • Document the disclosure on Jira (use student name, no other details)
  • Your coach will follow up with you

If the limits to confidentiality do not apply:

  • Provide student with SVPRO Consultant contact information (email: prahh@mcmaster.ca) and encourage them to reach out
  • Document on Jira (use student name, no other details)
  • Your coach will follow up with you

Once you receive a report of sexual violence disclosure for Jira, follow up with the mentor for more details (not the student, to limit the number of times the student must disclose). Check in to see how the mentor is doing.

In all cases, connect with SVPRO Consultant. If the limits to confidentiality do not apply, you do not need to share the name of the student.

  1. Follow the Recognize, Respond, Refer guidelines for support;
  2. Maintain confidentiality within its limits:
    1. If the Limits of Confidentiality apply, discuss Limits with the student and immediately inform the SVPRO Consultant, or
    2. If it is unclear if the Limits of Confidentiality apply, contact the SVPRO Consultant, discussing the Disclosure without providing identifying information, unless the individual has given permission to do so, in order that the Consultant may assess whether the Limits to Confidentiality apply and appropriate next steps; and
  3. Liaise with the Consultant to ensure ongoing support, as needed.