Sexual violence prevention & response

Our Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy affirms that Royal Roads University stands united against sexual violence and is committed to creating a safe and inclusive community.

What to do

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, we encourage you to do any of these things – as soon as you are able, and if you are able:

  1. Go to a safe place and get help.
  2. Get medical assistance.
  3. Seek personal support.
  4. Write it down.

If you can't or don't want to take these actions right away, please know that support will always be available to you when you choose to access it.

1. Go to a safe place and get help

Get help by phone

  • Call 911. You'll be asked, “Fire, police or ambulance?” right away. You can either answer "police" or "ambulance", or you can just start to tell the operator what happened and they will help you.
  • Call the 24-hour confidential VictimLink BC service at 1.800.563.0808 or text 604.836.6381. If you're outside of BC you can find victim services in your community by searching the Government of Canada’s victim services directory.
  • Call the Royal Roads University 24-hour Sexual Violence Support Line at 250.391.2600 ext. 8514.

Get help on campus

  • If you're on campus call Campus Security using any of the blue emergency phones. You can also phone 250.391.2525 or dial 2525 on any campus phone.
  • If you're a student on campus during regular business hours, you can ask for help at the Campus Welcome Desk in the Sequoia building or library. You don't need to tell reception staff what happened. Just let them know that you want to speak to a staff member privately about something that has happened. They will find you a quiet place and someone who can help. You are welcome to bring someone with you.

2. Get medical assistance

Getting immediate medical attention can be helpful if you decide to report the incident to the police.

  • Call 911. You'll be asked, “Fire, police or ambulance?” right away. You can either answer “police” or “ambulance”, or you can just start to tell the operator what happened and they will help you.
  • If you are able to, go to any hospital emergency department or medical clinic.
  • If you are able to and are in Victoria, call the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre’s Service Access Line at 250.383.3232 to get support.
  • If the Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic is closed, call the 24-hour Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1.888.494.3888.

3. Seek personal support

  • If you're a student call the Royal Roads University 24-hour sexual violence support line at 250.391.2600 ext. 8514 or dial 8514 on a campus phone. Someone will arrange for you to see a counsellor. You can also make an appointment with a counsellor. Call 250.391.2600 ext. 4515, email or book online.
  • Contact the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre’s Service Access Line at 250.383.3232.
  • Call the 24-hour Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1.888.494.3888.

4. Write it down

If and when you are able to, it can be helpful to write down the details of what happened. It doesn’t have to be right away.

As difficult as this may be, it may helpful to express your feelings. It can also be helpful to record details should you decide to report the incident. Consider including the date, time and location of the incident. Also the name or identity of others involved, and the events that took place.

How to request accommodations

You can request short-term accommodations to help you feel safe to continue your studies. Requests for accommodations are confidential.

To request accommodations, contact John Stewart, Associate Director, Student Engagement by phone 250.391.2511  or toll free 1.800.788.8028 or email.

Disclosing or reporting sexual violence or misconduct

Disclosing means telling someone else about an incident of sexual violence. Disclosures are normally confidential between friends and family members, or are shared with counsellors or other people, including university employees, who might be able to assist or support the survivor.

Reporting means providing a formal statement about an incident to a person or institution that has the authority to take action. You can report an incident of sexual violence, but decide that you do not want to have any action taken.

People or institutions may be required to act if there are reasonable grounds to believe that someone may be a danger to themselves or others.

Find more information about how we respond to disclosures and reports of sexual violence in Royal Roads' sexual violence and misconduct protocol and procedures for students.

Reporting to Royal Roads

You can make a formal report of sexual violence or misconduct, so the university can take action.

Fill out the formal complaint form or contact John Stewart, Associate Director, Student Engagement by phone 250.391.2511 or toll free 1.800.788.8028 or email.

Reporting to the police

In BC, you can also report sexual violence to the police directly or through an anonymous third-party report using a community-based victim service program.

This is not a police victim service program.

Learn about reporting options through the confidential, 24-hour VictimLink BC service. Phone 1.800.563.0808 or text 604.836.6381.

Prevention and education at Royal Roads

We all have a role to play in creating a safe and respectful learning community.

Our sexual violence prevention and education website provides interactive learning materials that help students learn how to contribute to a safer and respectful campus.

Learn about:

  • consent
  • being an active bystander
  • relationships and boundaries
  • how to support a survivor of sexual violence

Learn more about Royal Roads University's commitment to inform, educate, prevent and end sexual violence in our sexual violence and misconduct policy and the accompanying glossary of terms.

Contact

Call the Royal Roads University 24-hour Sexual Violence Support Line to speak to a trained staff member at 250.391.2600 ext. 8514.