If someone discloses an incident of gender-based violence to you it means they have identified you as someone they feel safe with. Here are some useful tips on supporting the person disclosing.
Find a place to start or continue a conversation where the person feels comfortable and you can talk privately without feeling rushed or interrupted.
If the person is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical attention, contact emergency services on 000.
ECU Security can be contacted 24 hours a day on (08) 6304 3333.
If an individual discloses sexual assault or sexual harassment to you, it usually means they trust you. It's important that you:
Your role is not to investigate, nor are you expected to be a counsellor. Your role is to listen and then assist them to access the services they require. However well-intentioned you may be, don’t force the person to make a decision.
As a student or staff member receiving a disclosure, you can offer support to the individual to consider their options for accessing support services and reporting the incident. Support services are available to students regardless of when and where the incident took place. The individual does not need to formally report the incident to access these services.
Students can contact:
For urgent, out of hours assistance, contact:
Students can:
Supporting someone who has experienced gender-based violence can be challenging. It is important to take care of yourself after receiving distressing information.
Acknowledge your feelings and get support for yourself.