Trigger warning: Sexualized Violence.
The StFX Students’ Union is saddened to hear yesterday's communication from the University regarding instances of sexualized violence on our campus. The StFX Students’ Union does not tolerate sexualized violence in any form and will continue to advocate the importance of survivor centric approaches to the University as we work to improve its prevention and response strategies to better support students.
First and foremost, we believe survivors and believe in a system where survivors can come forward with their stories.
Secondly, we believe that the University should be providing full support to anyone processing the information contained in today’s press coverage, especially during exam season.
StFX offers the following resources for students seeking assistance:
StFX Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Advocate
Heather Blackburn
306B Bloomfield Centre
P: 9028675601
E: hblackbu@stfx.ca
Monday - Friday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
StFX Health and Counselling:
3rd Floor Bloomfield Centre
P: 9028672263
Monday & Thursday: 8:30AM - 8:00PM; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM
REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors):
As a reminder, all students have access to REES which is available 24/7. REES is an online reporting platform which allows students to create a record of an incident and select from multiple reporting options including: Anonymous Report, Report to Campus (Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Advocate), Report to RCMP, or Repeat Perpetrator Identification. Further information regarding REES can be found at: https://theu.ca/rees and https://stfx.reessecure.com/
Students wishing to seek academic accommodations in light of today’s release are asked to contact their professors or respective deans for support. If students require additional advocacy support regarding academic accommodation, please contact the Students’ Union at su_pres@stfx.ca.
Antigonish is also home to several community-based supports, including the Antigonish Women’s Centre and Naomi Society, which are available to students.
Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre & Sexual Assault Services Association
https://awrcsasa.ca/
P: 9028636500
Naomi Society:
https://www.naomisociety.ca/
P: 9028633807
Students seeking assistance outside of office hours are encouraged to use resources available through HealthyMindsNS, including:
Good2Talk Phone (connect with a professional counsellor by calling 1-833-292-3698).
Good2Talk Text (contact a trained, volunteer crisis responder by texting GOOD2TALKNS to 686868.).
The StFX Students’ Union is committed to preventing and addressing sexualized violence in our community and will continue to push our University to foster a safe and supportive learning environment free from violence for all students.
StFX Students’ Union Executive Team