This article mentions sexual violence.
In February, I received an email with a link to a survey about sexual violence support on college campuses. While taking the survey, I realized I didn’t know the answers to the majority of the questions. The survey asked if my institution believed the person coming forward, took them seriously, maintained privacy for survivors and about nine other questions I could only answer with “unsure.”
I knew about some on-campus supports for survivors of sexual violence, but I wanted to look deeper into the processes involved in accessing these services.
Knowing your options
There are two main options for sexual violence support that are primarily for UBC students: the AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) and the UBC Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO).
The primary difference between SVPRO and the SASC is their affiliation. The former is an office established by the university, while the SASC is administrated by the AMS.
The SASC added that it is open seven days a week as opposed to the SVPRO’s five, making the former accessible for a longer period of time. Despite their minor differences, both offices work together to ensure support for all students and staff members.
”We firmly believe the more options for survivor support, the better,” the SVPRO wrote in an email statement to The Ubyssey.
Both the SVPRO and the SASC have plenty of information on their websites about how to find support, their office locations, hours and their contact information. I asked both offices some more specific questions you cannot find online about what a possible experience could look like.
SVPRO
The SVPRO follows a person-centred approach, meaning it meets survivors where they are and offer support options based on an individual’s unique needs. The office’s role is to provide survivors with options and resources to help them make an informed decision whenever they are ready.
Students are able to access the SVPRO without an appointment or official report of sexual violence. There are areas in the office to wait for the next available support specialist, or they may return at an offered time.
If students are unable to book a full-length session due to office capacity, they are offered an intake session where they can obtain immediate support including hospital accompaniment and help with seeking emergency housing. They are then offered a follow-up appointment the next day.
“At SVPRO, anyone who discloses (tells you they experienced or were impacted by) an incident of harm is believed and supported” SVPRO wrote. “As a healing-centred and trauma-informed space, we recognize that there is no single “right” way to respond to an experience of harm.”
In terms of privacy, the SVPRO is committed to confidentiality. It does not share information about individuals who access their services or the content of their sessions. While the SVPRO does not offer counselling, it does provide emotional support and are able to refer students to outside counselling.
SVPRO wrote that “support is available regardless of when the incident(s) occurred, and individuals can choose how often, for how long, and for what purposes they connect with us.”
SVPRO works to disrupt the root causes of sexual and gender-based violence, respond to incidents as they occur and challenge rape culture on campus. Through education and prevention, the office raises awareness and fosters change to create a culture of consent on campus.
SASC
Drop-ins are always welcome for students at the SASC. Students can also call, email or text for appointments.
Triage is based on urgency. If a student is facing an emergency, the SASC makes sure they are seen imminently and offered hospital accompaniment. For non-urgent support, all new intakes will receive responses within 24 hours.
The SASC collaborates with survivors to find the best solution for them. Each response is unique, so it is important to match students’ pace, acknowledge possible conflicts and help survivors understand the impact of trauma and stigma.
“Rape culture, lack of awareness around consent, power dynamics, abuse cycles and systemic injustice create a significant gap in support for survivors," SASC wrote. "Being able to work with someone who deeply understands the personal and systemic experiences of survivors, and more importantly student survivors as a unique intersection, is extremely important... Survivors need to have their autonomy centred in our work.”
SASC is here to support anyone who has been impacted by sexual violence. It is familiar with the unique nature of student life and how incidents of violence can impact all areas of that experience. It operates through an inclusive, person-centred approach that is low barrier and tailored to each student’s needs.
What's right for you?
It is not my intent to rank these two offices, but rather to inform students of all the options for sexual violence support available to them. Speaking up for oneself, whether that be to receive physical help, emotional counselling or even just education about sexual violence, can be an incredibly daunting task.
“It takes tremendous courage to seek support,” wrote SASC. “The first time a survivor comes forward, being turned away might significantly diminish the likelihood of them coming forward again … A survivor’s first encounter with support is critical for setting them up with options and choices.”
If you or anyone you know is struggling with sexual violence, both the SASC and the SVPRO are here to help. There are many other ways to access support other than what is mentioned here, so if you don’t think drop-in counselling is for you, visit either office’s website for more information on group counselling, housing, academic or financial support and much more.
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