Search Student Services

Williams Lake Campus
 > TRU Home > Williams Lake Campus > Student Services, Williams Lake Campus > Students Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response

Students Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response

If you need help

  • Go somewhere safe. If you are still in danger or you are concerned that you might still be in danger, or if you need urgent medical attention, call 911.
  • Security is available on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be reached at 250-398-6791.
  • Consider seeking medical attention at Cariboo Memorial Hospital. If you don’t think that you’ve been physically injured, it may be beneficial to access medical services for STI testing and/or reproductive health concerns. The hospital can also collect physical evidence, in the event that you choose to formally report the assault in the future. Evidence is best collected within 72 hours of the assault, but can still be gathered up to seven days afterwards.
  • Consider making a report to RCMP, TRU or an anonymous third party report with the Sexual Assault Counseling Center. You can also contact Community-based Victim Services at the Women’s Contact Society, or the Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Manager if you would like to speak with someone in person about your decision to report (or not report). The decision to report or not report can be complex, and you deserve to make it with as much information as possible. Please see the Reporting Options resource found below for more information.
  • Consider connecting with a support that feels safe and trusted. Please refer to the Supports section to learn more about services available on and off campus.

Safety

If you are in immediate DANGER or fear for your safety, please CALL 911. If you are not in immediate danger, call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808 for information about services that are available throughout BC.

More information

On campus supports

Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Manager

The Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Manager (SVPRM) can offer:

  • emotional support,
  • safety planning,
  • connections to additional resources,
  • academic and housing accommodations, and
  • accompaniment to legal and health options.

The SVPRM can also provide information on reporting options, and support through reporting processes.

TRU recognizes that experiences of violence will be shaped by many factors such as sex, ancestry, race, ethnicity, language, ability, faith, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The SVPRM is available to support anyone on campus who has experienced violence, including staff and faculty. Those seeking support are welcome to bring someone to their appointment. If there are specific things that would make reaching out and accessing support easier for you or someone you know, please contact the SVPRM by booking an appointment through Student Services at 250-828-5023.

*Confidentiality: If the SVPRM has reason to believe that you or someone else is at imminent risk of being harmed, they are legally required to report this information.

Meet TRU’s Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Team

Community-based victim services

A community-based victim services worker from the Women’s Contact Society is available at penny.stavast@cmha.bc.ca and the website here.

Third party reporting

At this point sexual assault kits completed in Williams Lake evidence are only retained with RCMP involvement. The Women’s Contact society is working on a new protocol.

  • information about sexualized violence as it relates to the justice system
  • support through court processes (accompaniment, paperwork)
  • information and support with anonymous Third Party Reporting

All services are confidential and separate from TRU’s student services. The Women’s Contact Society does not share any information with TRU about individuals who access their services on or off campus.

TRU Williams Lake Counselling Department

Free personal, career and crisis counselling for all TRU students.

Campus Security

On-duty security staff can be contacted by calling 250-398-6791.

Off campus supports

Community Victim Services (Penny Stavast)

Email: penny.stavast@cmha.bc.ca

Community Victim Services

3rd Party Reporting

At this point sexual assault kits completed in Williams Lake evidence are only retained with RCMP involvement. The Women’s Contact society is working on a new protocol.

Women Contact Society (Irene Willsie)

Email:counsellor@womenscontact.org

Phone: 250-292-4118

Women Contact Society

The safety of our clients is our first priority!

Aboriginal Victim Services (Noella Williams)

Aboriginal Victim Services

Assisting Aboriginal Victims (male or female, adult or child) of all crimes

17 South 1st Avenue, Williams Lake, BC

Phone: 250-305-2350

Fax: 250-392-1533

Aboriginal Victim Services Manager – Noella William

Email: avs@nstq.org

Aboriginal Victim Services Coordinator – Cynthia Dick

Email: vscoordinator@nstq.org

Phone: 250-392-7361

RCMP Victim Services (Cheryl, Meg Fehr)

RCMP website

Assisting Victims of all crimes reported to the RCMP

575 Borland Street Williams Lake, BC

Phone: 250-392-8709

Fax: 250-392-8707

Emergency Contact Numbers

VictimLinkBC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual telephone service available across B.C. and the Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-563-0808. It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking exploited for labour or sexual services.

VictimLinkBC provides service in more than 110 languages, including 17 North American Indigenous languages. In 2014-2015, VictimLinkBC assisted more than 12,000 people.

VictimLinkBC is TTY accessible. Call TTY at 604-875-0885; to call collect, please call the Telus Relay Service at 711. Text to 604-836-6381. Email VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca

EQ Virtual

An online clinic for those with BC medical coverage. Create an online account for quick access to a doctor for a range of physical and mental health concerns.

  • EQ Virtual

  • Clinic Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Saturday - Sunday & Holidays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. PST

  • 1-888-547-5575

24-hour Crisis and Information Line (WAVAW)

Immediate, toll-free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

"Calls are answered by empathetic and skilled support workers. Crisis Line support workers are there to listen, to provide non-judgmental support and, if needed, to provide information on available WAVAW services or referrals to other community programs and organizations."

Trans Lifeline

"Trans Lifeline is a national trans-led…organization dedicated to improving the quality of trans lives by responding to the critical needs of our community with direct service, material support, advocacy, and education. Our vision is to fight the epidemic of trans suicide and improve overall life-outcomes of trans people by facilitating justice-oriented, collective community aid."