Supports for Sexualized Violence

Quick Exit

Dealing with an experience of sexualized violence is a process that is different for everyone. Know that you are not alone and that we are here to support you. There are several steps you can take to access support and assistance. Below is a list of options available to you.  

Counselling Services are available for all students at VIU. Gemma Armstrong, VIU Counsellor, is one of the many people on campus and in the community who you can turn to for support.

If you have experienced sexualized violence

  • Call 911 for immediate safety and security and/or call the 24-hour, multilingual, confidential VictimLink BC service at 1.800.563.0808 or text 604.836.6381. See information for local support services.
  • If you live in VIU Residences, you may contact the Residence Manager or a Community Leader (main office phone: 250.740.6640; 24-hour phone: 250.740.6512).
  • At the Nanaimo campus, use any phone to call Campus Security at 250.740.6600 for assistance in getting to a safe place on campus.
  • At the Cowichan or tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus, call 911.

  • Counselling is available for all students at VIU campuses during regular office hours.
  • Support off-campus or outside of regular office hours is available at local Community-Based Victim Services Programs, hospital emergency departments, women’s centres, mental health clinics, walk-in clinics, and by contacting the Vancouver Island Crisis Line, Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline 988, the Sexual Assault Response Program, or VictimLink BC.
  • Support for all employees is available through the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
  • As difficult as it may seem, try to write down the details of what happened to you. This has two purposes: first, it may help to express some of your feelings, second, it may help you if, later, you decide you want to report the incident to police.

If you have experienced sexualized violence you have three main options available to you.

  • Make a Disclosure
    A disclosure means telling someone about an experience of sexual misconduct; you can disclose to any member of the VIU community with whom you feel comfortable. Making a Disclosure does not initiate an investigation, but it can help you access support services. Making a disclosure does not prevent you from making a report at a later date.

Disclosure Supports

  • Make a Formal Report 
    A report submitted to VIU is a request for action by VIU that may involve the respondent and may include an investigation that may lead to safety and/or disciplinary measures involving the person(s) named as respondent(s). A report can be made even if a disclosure has been made previously.

Formal Report

  • Make an Anonymous Report 
    An anonymous report submitted to VIU is to provide information about incidents of sexualized violence and misconduct to the institution. Information is used to inform institutional strategies, safety planning and other sexualized violence and misconduct mitigation work. VIU's ability to investigate or take action regarding individual anonymous reports may be limited.

Anonymous Report

It can be difficult to talk about sexualized violence but VIU is here to support you and respects your right to choose what actions you will take. VIU wants to create an environment where individuals feel comfortable and supported to make a disclosure and/or a report. We encourage any member of the VIU Community who has experienced sexualized violence to do one or both to enable the University to provide support. An individual who chooses to make a disclosure has the option to make a report at any time in the future. VIU’s ability to take action and to provide support might be limited by the passage of time.

An individual who has experienced sexualized violence may contact law enforcement to explore criminal reporting options in addition to, or instead of, making a disclosure and/or report to VIU. RCMP are available to come on campus to provide assistance. The designated VIU employees noted below are able to assist in making arrangements for these supports to come on campus to discuss the possibility of making a criminal report.

We will respect your right to choose how you receive support either on campus or in the community. VIU wants to provide resources and will support decisions you make regarding your personal safety and well-being. A comprehensive list of on- and off-campus resources is available to you and to anyone supporting you (family, employees, etc) should you desire to access them.

Many Members of the VIU Community have been trained to respond supportively when a person chooses to disclose an experience with Sexual Misconduct. While VIU’s education campaigns aim to provide all Members of the VIU Community with the knowledge and skills to respond supportively, the following individuals and groups have been specifically trained to receive Disclosures, to provide information about support services and Reporting options, and to assist with the Reporting process should the person choose to make a Report at any time in the future:

VIU encourages anyone impacted by sexualized violence to seek assistance. If you have experienced Sexual Misconduct you may choose to make a disclosure and/or make a report. By making a report to VIU, you are requesting that action on the part of VIU be taken That action may include an investigation, safety measures, and/or disciplinary action involving the other party.

A report may be made to VIU’s Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Office. Additionally, a report may be made to a Third Party Reporting Agency with a request that the Third Party Reporting Agency submit the report to VIU’s Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Office. A report can be initiated using the following contact information.

To VIU (All Campuses)

Off-Campus

  • Nanaimo RCMP
    • 250-754-2345
  • Cowichan/Duncan RCMP
    • 250-748-5522
  • Powell River RCMP
    • 604-485-6255

3rd Part Reporting Agencies

If you do not wish to initiate a Report or you haven’t decided, please review supports for making a disclosure in order to speak to a supportive employee who will be able to provide information about support services and reporting options, and to assist with the reporting process should you choose to make a report.

A member of the VIU Community who has experienced sexualized violence has the right to:

  • Be taken seriously and be treated with respect
  • Be informed about on- and off-campus services and resources
  • Decide whether or not to access available services and to choose those services felt to be most beneficial
  • Decide whether to make a Report to VIU and/or to contact RCMP
  • Have a safety plan
  • Have reasonable actions taken to prevent further unwanted contact with the other person involved in the incident
  • Receive clear and transparent information throughout the process, and
  • Be accompanied by a support person throughout the process

We will respect your right to choose how you receive support either on campus or in the community. VIU wants to provide resources and will support decisions you make regarding your personal safety and well-being. A list of many on- and off-campus resources is available to you and to anyone supporting you (family, employees, etc) should you desire to access them.