Tips for Supportive Response

We provide information on how to support someone who tells you they have experienced sex or gender based harassment, sexual assault, stalking, intimate partner violence, or other sex/gender related discrimination.

BC's campus.

General Information

If someone tells you they have experienced sex or gender based harassment, sexual assault, stalking, intimate partner violence, or other sex/gender related discrimination – know that you might be the first person they have told. Your response may influence whether they feel safe and supported telling others or seeking additional help. They might not know how to tell you what happened or what is happening. They may not know how to sort out their feelings, but they do know something is wrong.

Specific Tips on How to Respond

Listen to what they share without interrupting. Thank them for felling safe enough to share with you. Don’t push them to share more, let the person share what they choose.

Tell the person that you are sorry for what they experienced. Avoid asking “why” questions or telling them how you would have handled it or how they should have responded.

You can provide options and offer support, but it is important that the person decide for themselves how they want to proceed. You can ask, “How can I support you?” and/or offer to accompany them to support resources.

Considerations for faculty and staff

Establish class engagement and workplace expectations up-front:

  • in your syllabus
  • during orientation or team meetings
  • in class

If you have time, it can be helpful to have students come up with expectations first and then add to them yourself. 

Interrupt proactively and address:

  • problems,
  • comments,
  • language use, and
  • behaviors.

If students or student employees are expected to communicate or meet outside of the class or work location:

  • remind them to meet in a public location vs. a private location
  • encourage students to communicate with their BC email vs. their personal email
  • ensure that you are listed as an administrator on any non-BC platforms 

Disclose your reporting obligation to students:

  • on your syllabus
  • verbal reminders at course start and as appropriate based on discussion/assignment topics
  • as it arises during a meeting or consultation

You will need to monitor course or department related:

  • social media
  • online sites
  • discussion boards
  • assignments
  • groups

Request a Title IX consultation/intervention for options, email templates, coaching for conversations and other questions or assistance.

Gender-Based Violence Prevention Resources

For more information about gender-based violence prevention and bystander intervention, visit Bellevue College’s Gender-Based Violence Prevention (GBVP) office.