Key Responsibilities & Giving Support!
When someone discloses sexual or gender-based violence, your response matters.
You don’t need to be an expert to support someone. Often, the most powerful thing you can do is listen with care, respect their choices, and connect them with the right resources.
This section is designed especially for faculty and staff, who may be the first person a student turns to. It outlines your responsibilities under NLC’s Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy and helps ensure that all responses are trauma-informed and consistent across the College. As a staff or faculty member it is your responsibility to understand the policy expectations in order to respond to students who disclose experiences of sexual violence. The Learning Support Team and the Director, Student Services are available for individual consultations and support upon request. Additionally, the Director, Student Services office hosts workshops each academic year to support faculty and staff to understand this policy and these responsibilities.
Core Principles: How to Support a Survivor
Follow the CLEAR model, a trauma-informed guide to responding to disclosures:
- C – Choice: Respect the survivor’s right to control over what to do next.
- L – Listen: Create a safe space to be heard. Avoid judgment.
- E – Empathize: Acknowledge their courage:
- “I’m so sorry this happened to you.”
- A – Affirm: Remind them they are not alone.
- R – Refer: Let them know where they can get support.
You are not responsible for investigating or validating what happened—your role is to be a bridge to help.
If You Receive a Disclosure: Step-by-Step
- Stay present and compassionate
- Offer a calm, non-judgmental space.
- Avoid asking for detailed or graphic information, including who the respondent is.
- Let them speak freely—don’t interrupt or try to “fix” the situation.
- Validate their experience
Say things like:
“Thank you for trusting me.”
“You’re not alone—we have people who can help.”
“You don’t need to go through this alone.” - Provide clear information
Let them know:- Support is available no matter when or where the incident occurred.
- They are not required to report anything in order to receive help. However, do tell them you have a requirement to report a disclosure of sexual violence to the Director, Student Services as outlined in step 5 below..
- There is an NLC Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy to protect their rights. (offer to print or email them a copy of the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy)
- Refer to NLC Support Services
Encourage the student to contact NLC’s Designated Support Office or Student Services team. Offer to:- Make a warm referral
- Walk them to the Director, Student Services Office or Learning Support’s office
- Or if they are not ready to walk to either of these offices, help them send an email, make a phone call or offer to Teams with them to either the Director, Student Services or a Learning Support staff member.
- Report the Disclosure to the Support Team
As a college employee, you must report that a disclosure occurred—but you do not have to share the respondent’s name unless they give you permission. (Be sure to ask their permission). It is best to review the Get Support Page to review the difference between an anonymous report and a disclosure and actionable complaint. A college employee, who has received a disclosure should update the Director, Student Services or their designate (when assigned) as soon as practicable.
No matter which reporting option a student chooses it is important for NLC to track safety issues and offer appropriate follow-up. - Collaborate on accommodations (applicable to faculty members)
If the student requires temporary academic accommodations (e.g., extensions, alternative deadlines, safety measures), make an EARS referral in MyApps and be sure to note that you have made two referrals for the student (one for Sexual Violence Learning Support and one for Access Services)
Students who disclose sexual violence and students named as respondents may both request accommodations.
Confidentiality and Boundaries
Keep disclosures private, but not confidential: meaning you have a duty to report the incident (without respondent identity, if needed).
If you are unsure what you can share, consult the Learning Support Team or the Director, Student Services.
Important: Asking the survivor to share specific details may negatively affect the student’s well-being or compromise future investigations. It is not your responsibility to get details of the situation from the student.
Avoid probing questions like:
“What exactly happened?”
“Where were you touched?”
“Were you drinking?
It is important to remember that receiving a disclosure is not the same as hearing a statement for investigative purposes.
If You, as a faculty or staff member, Are Involved in a Complaint
If you are personally involved in a complaint—as a survivor or respondent—contact:
- Human Resources, and/or
- Your union representative
Complaints involving both students and employees are managed jointly by NLC’s Director, Student Services and Human Resources.
Recognizing When to Reach Out Without a Disclosure
A student may not disclose explicitly, but you may notice warning signs like:
- Increased absences or sudden disengagement
- Emotional distress or withdrawal
- Decline in academic performance
- Mention of safety concerns or sleep issues
You can gently check in:
“I’ve noticed you seem overwhelmed—can I help connect you with support?”
You do not need a disclosure to refer a student to NLC services via the EARS widget in MyApps.
Faculty & Staff Checklist: Responding to Disclosures
- Listen without judgment
- Affirm their strength
- Avoid asking for details
- Inform them of the NLC Sexual Violence and Misconduct policy (offer to print a copy or email it to them)
- Refer to the NLC Learning Support Team to assist the student in accessing support.
- Report the disclosure (keep respondent’s name anonymous if needed) to the Director, Student Services at studentconduct@nlc.bc.ca, or via phone 1-250-784-7555.
- Collaborate on accommodations where necessary
- Consult HR if personally involved (when applicable)
Need Support or Advice as a Faculty/Staff Member?
NLC’s Student Services team offers:
- One-on-one consultations for faculty and staff and custom guidance for navigating classroom or department impacts.
- Workshops on supporting survivors, and the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy
To request training or support contact:
Director, Student Services
250-784-7555
studentconduct@nlc.bc.ca