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Get Support

If you have been impacted by sexual and gender-based violence, the university can connect you with services, inform you of your rights, talk through your options, or just listen.


Dear Survivor

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Team

Connect to Services

Multiple supports, both on- and off-campus, are available if you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual or gender-based violence. 

If you find yourself in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1.
 

E: svsa@ucalgary.ca

The Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support team provides confidential support and care for any university community member impacted by sexual and gender-based violence, whether it occurred on- or off-campus, or before you came to UCalgary. 

With your consent, they can help you with: 

  • Informing you of and advocating for your rights
  • Academic, professional, or residence accommodations
  • Referrals to counselling, medical and legal services
  • Self-care resources
  • Reporting options available on- and off-campus
  • Navigating systems and resources on campus or in the community
  • Accompanying you to appointments (medical, police, HR etc.) 
  • Safety planning
  • Educating on sexual violence and trauma
  • Being there to listen
  1. Student Wellness Services

    T: 403-210-9355

    Counselling services are located at Student Wellness Services in the MacEwan Student Centre, Room 370. Counselling is available to UCalgary students during regular business hours. 

     

  2. Women's Resource Centre

    T: 403-220-8551   E: women@ucalgary.ca

    The Women’s Resource Centre provides a safe, supportive place while advancing gender equality and building community. The WRC is located in the MacEwan Student Centre, Room 482. 

  3. Q Centre

    T: 403-220-4460   E: qcentre@ucalgary.ca

    The SU Q Centre for sexual and gender diversity is a safe, comfortable and inviting space for the LGBTQA2S+ community. The Q Centre is located in the MacEwan Student Centre, Room 210. 

  4. Staff Wellness

    T: 403-220-2918

    Staff Wellness aims to support and sustain the health and wellness of faculty and staff at UCalgary. In addition to offering confidential support, they can connect you to resources. 

  5. Writing Symbols Lodge

    T: 403-220-6034

    The Writing Symbols Lodge provides academic, personal and cultural support services and programs to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, and offers a welcoming environment for the entire campus community. 

  6. Protected Disclosure

    T: 403-220-4086

    The Protected Disclosure Advisor is a confidential resource available to the campus community and is located within the Office of Diversity, Equity and Protected Disclosure. 

  1. Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence

    T: 1-866-403-8000 (toll free) 

    One Line is an Alberta-wide text, call and chat service staffed by specialized responders from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Responders will listen, provide support and information, and share resources for anyone impacted by sexual violence. Services are anonymous and are available in more than 200 languages.

     

  2. The Distress Centre Calgary

    T: 403-266-4357

    The Distress Centre Calgary is a 24-hour crisis line that can offer immediate, confidential support.

  3. Employee and Family Assistance Plan

    T: 1.866.424.0699

    Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a  confidential service available to UCalgary employees and dependents at no cost.  EFAP includes counselling and legal consultation and can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  4. ConfidenceLine

    T: 1-800-661-9675

    ConfidenceLine is an anonymous hotline available to the UCalgary community. They are recognized as the pioneer whistle-blower and ethics reporting systems in Canada. 

  1. Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse

    T: 1-877-237-5888 (toll free)

    Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA) is the primary sexual abuse and sexual assault crisis service provider for Calgary. CCASA can provide various services including immediate crisis support and counselling. 

  2. Awo Taan

    T: 403-534-1972 or 403-531-1976

    The Awo Taan Healing Lodge is a 32-bed, full service emergency shelter that provides services to women and children from all cultures. The Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society is dedicated to supporting the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual healing and wellbeing of women during their time of crisis and beyond. They can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

  3. FearIsNotLove 24-Hour Family Violence Helpline

    T: 403-234-SAFE (7233)

    The Family Violence Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. This line provides counselling, safety planning, referrals and information in multiple languages.

  1. Calgary Sexual Assault Response Team

    T: 403-955-6030

    CSART provides 24-hour specialized care for anyone who has been sexually assaulted, including a comprehensive examination, treatment of injuries and collection of forensic evidence within 7 days (168 hours) of a sexual assault. CSART is located at the Sheldon Chumir Health Centre.

  2. Calgary STI Clinic

    T: 403-955-6700

    The Calgary STI Clinic provides testing, treatment and counselling for sexually transmitted infections and HIV. The clinic is located at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre at 1213 4 St. SW on the 5th floor. No appointment necessary, walk-ins are welcome. 

  3. Health Link Alberta

    T: 8-1-1

    Health Link can be contacted by dialing 8-1-1. They can provide referrals to medical and related services in 200 different languages from a registered nurse

  4. Choice Connect Abortion Referral App

    Choice Connect helps you find your nearest abortion provider based on your needs. The app features detailed referral information for more than 120 abortion providers and clinics across Canada. The web app is anonymous and free to use.

  1. Centre for Sexuality

    T: 403-283-5580

    The Centre for Sexuality delivers programs and services around sexual health, sexual identity, gender orientation and sexuality. The centre offers a safe space and support for members of the LGBTQ2S+ community and allies.

  2. Skipping Stone Foundation

    T: 587-333-4342

    The Skipping Stone Foundation supports and empowers trans and gender diverse youth and their families through mental health support, peer support, community building events and medical transition related services. 

  3. Calgary Outlink

    T: 403-234-8973

    Calgary Outlink is a welcoming space that provides support, education, outreach and referrals for the LGBTQ2S+ and allied community. 

  1. Child Abuse Hotline

    T: 1-800-387-5437

    The Child Abuse Hotline offers help if you, or children you know, are being neglected, abused or sexually exploited. The hotline is available in multiple languages, 24-hours, seven days a week. 

  2. Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre

    T: 403-428-5300

    Luna Centre exists to be a safe space where children, families, and caregivers can access support and resources that are needed after child abuse occurs. Services include therapy, medical care and advocacy among others.

  3. Canadian Centre for Male Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

    The Canadian Centre for Male Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse offers confidential thrapy with specially trained therapists to male survivors over the age of 18. 

     

  1. Writing Symbols Lodge

    T: 403.220.6034

    Writing Symbols Lodge provides academic, personal, and cultural support services and programs to prospective and current First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, and offers a welcoming and supportive learning environment for the whole campus community.

  2. Métis Nation of Alberta Wellness Program

    T: 877.729.0261

    Métis Nation of Alberta Wellness Program provides members of the Métis Nation of Alberta with access to 24 hours of mental health support.

  3. Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC)

    T: 403-428-3361

    AFCC provides essential Indigenous cultural based programs to a growing Calgary urban Indigenous population.

  4. Hope for Wellness Helpline

    T: 1-855-242-3310

    The Hope for Wellness Helpline is available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are reachable by telephone and online chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Reporting Options

There are formal and informal options available for you to report your experience of sexual or gender-based violence, both on- and off-campus. Below is a list of some of these options. For support in working through these options, contact the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Support Office by emailing svsa@ucalgary.ca.

Please note, reaching out to the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Support Office for more information about reporting options, will not initiate a formal reporting process unless you choose. You can contact the office to disclose a situation you have had, without any obligation to do anything else. 


Reporting on Campus

If you have witnessed or experienced an act of sexual or gender-based violence on-campus, one option is to file a formal report, which will initiate an investigation.

Reporting to the Police

If you have witnessed or experienced an act of sexual or gender-based violence, you can report it to the criminal justice system by contacting the Calgary Police Service or the law-enforcement agency in the jurisdiction of where the incident occurred (ex. RCMP).

Alberta Human Rights Commission

Under the Alberta Human Rights Act, sexual harassment and violence are considered a form of discrimination based on gender. If you have witnessed or experienced an act of sexual or gender-based violence, you can file a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission.  

Civil Lawsuit

If you have experienced an act of sexual or gender-based violence, you can choose to take legal action against those who harmed you by filing a civil lawsuit. 

Report to a governing body

If you have been impacted by an act of sexual or gender-based violence committed by a licensed professional, you have the option to report the incident directly to the governing body of that professional. 


Resources for Download

Through a trauma informed approach, the University of Calgary has developed downloadable resources for supporters and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, including self-care colouring books and informative postcards.

Sexual and Gender-based Violence Information

Postcard

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