Crisis Support

BOLT Safety
Aug 28, 2020
6 min read

Updated: Feb 13

CW: sexual violence, domestic abuse

If someone’s life is in danger, call 911 (or the local equivalent emergency number) immediately.

Who this resource is for:

Victims / survivors of sexual violence and/or domestic abuse
Allies who either know someone who has experienced violence, or wish to learn how to help those in crisis

This is a general resource for informative purposes. To find specific information relevant to where you are located, please visit The Hub and find both Canadian and international resources.

Kindly note: If you have experienced harm, it was not your fault, and we stand with you in whatever choice you make moving forward.

MEDICAL CARE

Life-threatening injuries: call 911 (or your local equivalent line), ask for an ambulance
With minor or less apparent injuries: may go to the hospital and request a sexual assault examination (also known as a ‘rape kit’) to be performed and collect evidence
Medical professionals can provide testing, options, guidance on pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Survivors may feel vulnerable, angry, confused, depressed, or another way after a sexual assault – all of which are valid.

There are mental health professionals who can help with the healing process. More immediately, survivors may find comfort in their chosen ‘Safe Buddies’, which include trusted friends or family members.

For mental health related support and helplines, search for a local helpline or counselling service. We’ve compiled both Canadian and international resources on our platform.

Coping After a Traumatic Event

Full resource from HealthLink BC:

It is normal to experience emotional, behavioural, and physical changes after experiencing a traumatic event, like:
- Feeling hopelessness or numbness
- Withdrawing from social connections, getting flashbacks to the incident(s)
- Having trouble sleeping, eating
- Experiencing fatigue, headaches, dizziness that can’t otherwise be explained
Healthy ways of coping can include:
- Speaking with a counselor
  - Referrals can be obtained from your family physician
  - In Canada, you can contact the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA): https://cmha.ca/find-help/find-cmha-in-your-area/
- Connecting with family, friends, or a support group
- Eating balanced meals and sleeping adequately
- Physical exercise (going on walks, playing sports)
- Being kind to yourself and giving yourself time and space to heal
- Avoid relying on substances, like alcohol, to cope

CRIME REPORTING AND LEGAL OPTIONS

Survivors have the choice to decide whether they want to press charges or file a police, institutional, or otherwise systems-based report.

POLICE

Choosing to speak with the police about any incident does not generally obligate an individual to press charges or engage in legal proceedings; for instance, individuals may choose to simply consult the police about the nature of the crime, and their options going forward.

While procedures vary based on location, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) team gave us permission to share this informative resource to understand the process of reporting a crime (refer to their website for the most updated information): https://vpd.ca/report-a-crime/sex-crime/

What to expect when making a police report (key points):

When you first call police, a civilian call-taker will ask you for some basic information, and a police officer on patrol will be assigned to investigate.
An officer, usually in uniform, will meet with you in person and ask you basic details of what happened to you.
With your permission, the officer will call an ambulance to transport you to a hospital.
Depending on the nature of the sexual assault, you may be asked to have a sexual assault examination at the hospital, given by a trained doctor or nurse. The exam will help preserve DNA evidence that could assist with the investigation.
To preserve DNA evidence, the officers may ask you to provide the clothing that you were wearing at the time of the assault.
You will be asked to come to the police station to provide details of what happened, which will be recorded.
You will be provided with contact information for Victim Services, or the police officer can provide a referral to Victim Services on your behalf.
With your input, a plan to ensure your safety will be put in place, whether the suspect is known or not known to you.
Your report will be reviewed by a sergeant from the Sex Crimes Unit. Depending on a number of factors, a detective from that unit may be assigned to your file and will continue to investigate it.
You will be kept updated on the progress of the investigation. If you have a support worker, they can also contact the investigator for you.

VICTIM SERVICES

Offered by a mix of police and community agencies, these units provide support to victims of crime.

INSTITUTIONAL REPORTING MECHANISMS

Schools, companies, and other institutions will often have mechanisms through which students, faculty, and staff can report misconduct, harassment, and other grievances. Students in elementary or high school can contact a School Liaison Officer, grade counsellor, or other trusted adult. Students in college and university can explore options offered by their Student Affairs Office, Student Society, Ombudsperson or its equivalent. In the workplace, staff reports may be formally investigated by a Human Resources or other department.

LEGAL AID

Many legal aid institutions and clinics will offer services at no or low cost to individuals who need legal counselling, services, or representation.

UNDERSTANDING DOMESTIC ABUSE

There are many forms of abuse. Specifically, domestic abuse, or intimate partner violence, is a form of abuse used by the abuser to maintain power in a relationship through verbal, emotional, mental, sexual, reproductive, financial, or physical abuse and coercion.

Help is available. Options include:

Find a ‘Safe Buddy’ to check-in regularly (trusted friends or family) and make a safety plan
Online safety: use of ‘incognito’ web browsers and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to minimize the risk of web searches being tracked
Safe housing and shelters

Safe Hubs:

If located in Canada, intermediate safe spaces are available in your community, acting as a bridge between where you are, and professional support. We’ve partnered with organisations and businesses in your local community, and you can find them on our interactive map at boltsafety.org/safehubs

BEING AN ALLY

If you’re worried about the safety of a loved one, how can you help? Be kind, understanding, and above all else, non-judgemental.

If their life is in danger, call 911 (or the local equivalent emergency line). Otherwise, you can share resources and information, like this article, to help guide and inform their decision.

For someone in an abusive relationship: Victims may be unaware they’re in an abusive relationship if they are experiencing gaslighting, or dependent on their abuser for essentials like a home, their meals, and financial resources. Gaslighting is when the abuser denies ever being abusive when confronted about their actions and behaviour, and is a form of mental and emotional abuse. For the person you are trying to help, even though they may not immediately leave their relationship, you showing belief in their experience validates it, and may give them the strength and assurance needed to leave.

For a victim / survivor of sexual violence: As an ally, you can also offer to go with them to the police, the hospital, to court, or be with them when they call a crisis line or shelter. When victims are isolated from their support networks, it, unfortunately, gives their abuser more power over them.

Believe them. Stand with them, no matter what they decide to do (or not do). Be an ally.

More BOLT Safety resources:

Canadian resources on The Hub: https://www.boltsafety.org/thehub/categories/survivors
International resources on The Hub: https://www.boltsafety.org/thehub/categories/international-resources
Let’s talk about consent: https://www.boltsafety.org/post/let-s-talk-about-consent
Making a personal safety plan: https://www.boltsafety.org/post/safety_plan
What is gaslighting? https://www.boltsafety.org/post/what-is-gaslighting
Recognizing signs of abuse: https://www.boltsafety.org/post/recognizing-signs-of-abuse

External sources for further reading:

HealthLink BC: Coping After a Traumatic Event

Kindly note: when an individual experiences violence, their choice, dignity, and autonomy is taken away from them physically, emotionally, and psychologically. This resource is not meant to be prescriptive, but rather offer options that a survivor may choose to pursue – in the aftermath of a traumatic experience, the choice should fully be in the survivor’s hands.

Terminology: We generally advocate for the use of the term ‘survivor’, however, we additionally use the term ‘victim’ in the context of being victimized by a crime. This is also to respect the varied vocabulary that individuals may choose to describe their experiences.

End victim-blaming: The victim of a crime is never to blame for what was done to them by a perpetrator. The role of an ally is to provide non-judgemental, empathetic, and heartfelt support.

If you know of a resource that should be included here, please email our team at info@boltsafety.org

In solidarity,

The team at BOLT Safety Society

@boltsafety | boltsafety.org

Donate: ko-fi.com/boltsafety

BOLT Safety Society is a federally registered not-for-profit organization in Canada.

Disclaimer: We endeavor to verify published information with experts. You are using our information, resources, and programs at your own risk. Please contact us if you see an error so that we can investigate the matter and make corrections where necessary.