Â鶹AV

Â鶹AV.CA / Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education / Get support

Direct support

Support activities for survivors

Please note that while the Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education (OSVRSE) is undergoing restructuring, support activities remain on hold.ÌýÌýAppointments remain available and can be booked directly online at or by emailing osvrse [at] mcgill.ca.

Trauma Sensitive Yoga

We offer free yoga sessions for Â鶹AV community members who have been impacted by any form of trauma throughout the Fall and Winter semesters.

Designed as an alternative to traditional yoga practices, Trauma Sensitive Yoga has foundations in trauma theory, attachment theory and Hatha Yoga practice, with an emphasis on body-based yoga forms and breathing practices.

Designed to teach breathing exercises, centering movement, and mindful grounding as tools for self-regulation, each class provides a space for students to move, breathe, connect, focus, and relax. All experience levels are welcome.

Please note that sessions will be held in-person.Ìý The link to register is below with corresponding date.Ìý For any questions or additional information about the sessions, please osvrse [at] mcgill.ca (contact us).

Currently on hold

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Group Therapy: CPT for sexual assault survivors

  • Day and time:ÌýTBD
  • Starting date: TBD
  • End date:ÌýTBD
  • Weekly sessions: TBD
  • Where: TBD

This trauma focused therapy group is intended for students who experience PTSD and related conditions as a result of sexual trauma. The goal of Cognitive Processing Therapy is to improve one’s understanding of PTSD, reduce distress related to the trauma memories, decrease emotional numbing and avoidance, decrease anxiety, guilt/shame, and improve day-to-day living.

How to participate

All participants will be required to meet for an assessment prior to joining the group and will be expected to complete regular out-of-session practice assignments. To be eligible, participants should trans- or cis- women, current Â鶹AV students, able to have conversations in English, and have experienced sexual assault.Ìý

FAQ

Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to join the group?

No. If the impacts of the assault are causing you distress or preventing you from fully participating in your social, educational or professional life, this group may be right for you. A PTSD diagnosis is not necessary to join group therapy. Common symptoms of PTSD include intrusive thoughts or nightmares, an increase in negative thoughts or feelings, hypervigilance, and avoiding certain people or locations that remind you of the experience. Other symptoms can although occur.

Why is the group reserved for students who are trans- or cis- women?

We strive to create a space in which students feel as comfortable as possible sharing very personal experiences. Having a gender-specific group and a student-specific group fall under the goals of creating a safer environment for disclosing sexual trauma and impacts. We hope to be able to expand our offer of services soon to include other genders.Ìý

How will the group uphold participant confidentiality?

Confidentiality is a crucial element of any therapy process. We will implement certain measures to ensure the confidentiality of the virtual space and participants will sign a contract agreeing to uphold the confidentiality of the meetings, so that what is shared within the group will not be discussed with outside individuals.

Who will be facilitating the group?

What does the assessment entail?

One of the facilitators will meet with you to determine whether group therapy meets with your current needs, and your readiness to engage. During the assessment, we will discuss what the group entails, expectations regarding participation, and your expectations in joining.

Have questions? Interested in joining?

Please contact osvrse [at] mcgill.caÌýfor more information or to book an appointment.Ìý

Support Group: Unpacking the intersections between queerness and trauma

Day and time:Ìý TBD

Starting date: TBD

End date: TBD

Weekly sessions: 6 sessions, 2 hours each (with the exception of March break)Ìý

Where: TBD

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This psychoeducational group will unpack howÌýqueer identitiesÌýinfluenced experiences of sexual trauma and how to use theseÌýidentities as a source of empowerment. This will be done through an intersectional, anti-racist and transformative justice lens that centres trans and/or gender non-conforming folks and people who are two-spirit.

Facilitator

TBD

How to participate

This group is open to all Â鶹AV students who identify as a sexual and/or gender minority (2SLGBTQIA+).Ìý Students can register by filling out this form (to come). If you have any questions, please email osvrse [at] mcgill.ca.

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Support Group: Growing after trauma

Day and time:Ìý TBD

Where: TBD

Weekly sessions: TBD

Sessions: TBD

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This psychoeducational group aims to break the isolation of persons who have experienced sexual violence. The group will be composed of several workshops that will build on each other to consider different impacts of sexual violence and explore approaches to healing and empowerment based on the body, art, culture and science. The group it meant to offer a safer space to share thoughts and experiences to work together on building after care and empowerment through an intersectional lens.

Facilitator

TBD

How to participate

TBD

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Accommodations

Experiences of sexual and gender-based violence can have a serious impact on a person’s life. A survivor may experience short to long-term psychological, emotional and physical reactions that can impact their ability to function. These responses can be immediate or delayed, even manifesting years after the incident of sexual violence.

We work with survivors on a case-by-case basis to determine what academic or workplace accommodation may be needed, and can facilitate the process by contacting the concerned university partners and by offering letters of support.

Note that you are not required to make a formal complaint in order to access accommodations.

Students

Students impacted by sexual violence may seek accommodations at any point during a semester.

This may include:

  • Withdrawing from courses
  • Extensions for coursework or accommodations for missed work and tests
  • Changing course sections or classroom locations
  • Taking a leave of absence
  • Changing residence, or other housing accommodation

Students can contact their professors or an academic advisor directly for academic accommodation requests.

For accommodations to Â鶹AV's online "It Takes All of Us" program, please contact us at osvrse [at] mcgill.ca.

If a survivor experiences severe or chronic impacts, it may be advisable to register with the Student Accessibility and Achievement (SAA) office. A licensed health professional will need to complete the SAAÌýreferral form for registration.

Faculty & staff

We can help faculty and staff members who have been impacted by sexual violence if they are unable to perform their professional duties. We can work with faculty and staff supervisors, professional associations, unions, and human resources to determine what accommodations would be appropriate.

Staff and faculty can speak directly to the Dean, their departmental HR, or their union or association for workplace accommodation requests.

Â鶹AV is located on unceded lands which have traditionally served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst diverse indigenous peoples. The Kanien’kehá:ka, a founding nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Anishinabeg are recognized as the traditional stewards of the lands and waters on which Tiohtià:ke/Montréal is located. Learn more about the land you’re on and commit to taking action to support the ongoing resistance and thriving of local Indigenous communities.

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