Sexual and gender-based violence continues to be a pervasive issue within our communities. It is always important to remember that a survivor is never to blame for their experience of sexual or gender-based violence. If you, or someone you know, is looking for options on next steps following an experience of harm, there are free, confidential, and trauma-responsive supports available to you.
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Attend to Physical Body
Below is a list of options relating to your physical and bodily needs following an incident of sexual and/or gender-based violence:
For Trent Peterborough students:
- During office hours (9:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.), phone or visit Health Services at 705-748-1481, Blackburn Hall 111, Trent University, Peterborough.
- Peterborough Regional Health Centre (Women's Health Care Centre) - Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence program, Sexual Abuse program, and various health programs. The Sexual Assault Response team is available 24 hours a day through the Emergency Department at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
- Phone: 705-743-4132
- Address: 1 Hospital Dr., Peterborough, ON, K9J 7C6
- For more information on supports at PRHC, please visit Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.
For Trent Durham students:
- Lakeridge Health - Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Care Centre (DVSACC) - Information and emotional support for anyone who has experienced sexual and/or gender-based violence or who needs information, services, emergency medical services (24hrs), and/or community referrals.
- Phone: 905-576-8711
- Email: jheeps@lakeridgehealth.on.ca
- Address: 1 Hospital Ct., Oshawa, ON, L1G 2B9
- For more information on supports at Lakeridge, please visit Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSACC).
Healthcare personnel can also assist with sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests, pregnancy and pregnancy testing, and with preventative strategies, methods, and/or medications. They can attend to any physical pain or injuries that may have been caused by an incident(s) of sexual and/or gender-based violence and offer additional supports related to physical and bodily needs.
When a recent sexual assault has been experienced, the Sexual Assault Nurse can collect evidence for up to 12 days post-assault regardless of showering; however, less evidence is accessible as more time passes.
This evidence is usually kept for six months and may be helpful if the person who has experienced harm chooses to report to the police.
- NOTE - The collection of evidence does not initiate a formal report to the police. This information would only be released to the police with consent from the person who has experienced harm.
- Evidence can be stored confidentially and applied at a later date or never used. It is up to the person who has experienced harm to make that decision for themselves.
It is always a good idea to attend to the physical needs with the support of medical professionals.
All sexual assault nurse services are free and confidential.
Attend to Emotional Needs and Questions
There are several options for students in terms of managing their emotional needs, including any questions or concerns they may have surrounding sexual and gender-based violence.
Make an appointment to receive support from the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response team; please phone 705-748-1011 x7792, email consent@trentu.ca, or complete the secure, online Sexual Violence/Harm Self-Disclosure Form.
- The SVPRO office is located on the Trent Symons Campus, Champlain College, room C4 and in Building B, 3rd floor at the Trent Durham Campus on scheduled days.
A person accessing support through the SVPRO can share as little or as much about their experience as they wish, within their comfortability. The SVPRO can support with safety planning, navigating reporting options, service navigation, academic consideration and accommodations, and referrals, among additional supports that may be helpful for each individual person accessing support.
NOTE - The SVPRO does not provide in-depth or long-term counselling services. If you would like to connect with Trent Counselling or receive more information about additional options in the community, please visit Counselling Services or visit in person (Blackburn Hall, Suite 113, Peterborough), visit Counselling Services Durham GTA, or ask us about our community-based counselling support through the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre and the Durham Rape Crisis Centre.
Attend to Safety
Emergency Contacts:
Campus Safety - Phone or access emergency services through the TrentU Campus Safety App.
- Phone: 705-748-1333 (Peterborough)
- Phone: 905-435-5111 (Durham)
- Phone: 905-435-5124 (Durham, 850 King Street, PLZ)
To report the incident, discuss options, or talk about safety:
Campus Safety - Phone
- Phone: 705-748-1333 (Peterborough)
- Phone: 905-435-5111 (Durham)
- Phone: 905-435-5124 (Durham, 850 King Street, PLZ)
NOTE - A formal report to Campus Safety is not required to access support on campus.
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