Reporting sexual assault can be a challenging experience for survivors. As a result, new platforms have emerged to make it easier for survivors to come forward and access support.
One such platform is REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors), founded by a Winnipeg entrepreneur in 2019. REES allows users to anonymously report incidents of sexual violence, including harassment, misconduct, and assault while connecting them to local support services. Initially available on Canadian campuses, the platform has since expanded to institutions in the U.S., Australia, and Nigeria.
Similarly, the University of British Columbia (UBC) offers support through its Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO). While SVPRO does not directly handle reports, it can assist survivors in understanding their available options, including reporting to UBC’s Investigations Office, the police, a civil litigation lawyer or the BC Human Rights Tribunal.
Both REES and SVPRO provide crucial resources for survivors of sexual violence. REES enables anonymous reporting and connects users with local services while also helping organizations identify incident “hot spots” and flag repeat offenders. SVPRO provides educational support and options for legal assistance but does not directly handle reports. Instead, it helps individuals navigate the university’s systems and the justice system.
In British Columbia, sexual assault survivors have several reporting options:
- Consult a Lawyer: Lawyers provide confidential legal guidance to help survivors understand their rights and legal options. They can also assist with making connections to supportive resources.
- Contact a Sexual Assault Support Center: Centers like VictimLinkBC and other community-based centers provide emotional and psychological support, assist with decisions about reporting to law enforcement and connect survivors to necessary services.
- Contact a Medical Professional: Healthcare professionals, like doctors and psychologists, can offer support to sexual assault survivors by delivering medical care and emotional assistance and helping them navigate legal processes.
- Report to an Educational Institution: Universities and colleges often have their own policies and procedures to investigate sexual assault. At UBC, the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) offers support.
- BC Human Rights Tribunal: If the assault involves discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, or disability, survivors can file a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal to address human rights violations.
- Contact the Police: In British Columbia, survivors of sexual assault can contact police by telephone or in person at a police station or connect with Victim Services.
