On-campus supports
- If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexualized violence and there is an immediate health or safety concern, call 9-1-1.
- If the immediate health or safety concern happened on campus, you should also call Campus Security at 250-721-7599; they are available 24/7 for information and support.
To access the Victoria Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) call the Vancouver Island Crisis Line (1-888-494-3888) and request to speak to a VSAC Sexual Assault Support Worker in Victoria, or by going to Victoria General Hospital or a police station.
The Sexualized Violence Resource Office
UVic’s Sexualized Violence Resource Office (SVRO) provides support and options for all students, staff and faculty members.
The SVRO:
- a voluntary process is a collaborative, restorative route agreed upon by the involved parties and the university. It provides a way to address concerns without resorting to a formal investigation.
- a report is a written submission made with the intent of initiating an investigation under the Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Policy.
Support is available in-person, over the phone and virtually. You are welcome to bring a support person to any meeting. In the case of faculty or staff, this may include a colleague or union steward.
Anonymous disclosure
The SVRO offers an anonymous disclosure service for anyone impacted by sexualized violence.
An anonymous disclosure allows anyone impacted by sexualized violence to share your experience without providing your name or any identifying information. You can do this by phone at 250-721-8021 or by text at 236-638-3710. You can also join online during anonymous disclosure office hours.
Important: Anonymous disclosures are possible; anonymous reports are not, because investigations require procedural fairness.
During an anonymous disclosure, you can:
- share your story
- connect with support services
- receive options for safety planning
- get advice and coaching
- learn about your options under UVic’s Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Policy
How to join an anonymous disclosure online
Recommended: Join from your web browser without signing in to Zoom.
Available:
- Mondays: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Quick steps (browser):
- click the Zoom link
- click cancel on the dialogue box
- select join from your browser
- click profile → edit
- change your display name/nickname to initials or “Anonymous”
- remove/change your profile picture
- click save, then rejoin the meeting
Quick steps (Zoom app):
- go to uvic.zoom.us → sign in
- follow steps 4–6 above to anonymize your profile
- join the meeting
Watch a walkthrough of the process
Give support
At UVic, everyone needs to be prepared to be part of the conversation about how to prevent and respond to sexualized violence. How you respond to a disclosure can have a significant impact on what a survivor does next.
More supports on campus
The Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is a peer-based support and advocacy centre in UVic’s Student Union Building. The AVP provides educational workshops, resources and referrals, and advocacy for people who have experienced violence, people supporting those who have experienced violence, and those who have caused harm.
Support hours offered by appointment only. Schedule an appointment by:
- dropping by the AVP office in (B027) in the SUB on Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- emailing avppeersupport@uvic.ca
- phoning 250-721-8080 and leaving a message with the best number to return your call
Campus Security Services has a safehaven area inside the front doors for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their services like SafeWalk and the Campus Alone program can help people concerned about personal safety on campus. Campus Security’s personal safety coordinators provide support and referral for all personal safety related concerns, and coordinate crime prevention programs on campus.
Location: Campus Security Building
Centre for Accessible Learning works with faculty and students to promote educational accessibility for students with disabilities and chronic health conditions.
Location: Campus Services Building, Room 150
Equity and Human Rights assists community members and help guide them through the range of available options such as dispute resolution, investigating human rights complaints, and providing information and support in cases of sexualized violence.
Location: Sedgewick Building C-Wing
International Centre for Students provides international student services, information and programs for undergraduate and graduate students from pre-arrival to degree completion.
Location: Jamie Cassels Centre, Room B202d
Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement (IACE) is a hub for cultural, academic and community connections. They support Indigenous student success and offer programs like LE,NOṈET, Indigenous counselling, and a drop-in Elders' Lounge.
Location: First Peoples House
Office of Student Life (OSL) provides case management support to students who need help navigating university processes. They also investigate and respond to allegations of student non-academic misconduct and offer programming to support the well-being and development of UVic students.
Location: Jamie Cassels Centre, Room B202
Multifaith Centre provides religious support and spiritual care for students, faculty and staff. This includes mindfulness and meditation, prayer, weekly activities, retreats and workshops on a variety of topics.
Location: Multifaith Centre
The Student Wellness Centre (SWC) aims to provide holistic care to support UVic students’ wellbeing emotionally, physically and spiritually. The SWC team includes counsellors, doctors, nurses, administrative staff, chaplains and other practitioners.
- Mental health resources include free confidential counselling to UVic students enrolled in a degree program. They also offer group counselling and a free, confidential 24/7 mental health service called SupportConnect.
- Physical health resources include free full service primary health clinic for students plus healthy student and campus initiatives.