If you have been affected by sexualized violence, it is NOT your fault.
The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) is a confidential place for those who have been impacted by any form of sexual or gender-based violence, harassment, or harm, regardless of where or when it took place. SVPRO aims to be a safer space for all UBC students, faculty, and staff by respecting each person’s unique and multiple identities and experiences. All genders and sexualities are welcome.
We do not believe sexualized violence is an inevitability. SVPRO works to educate the UBC community in the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence from an intersectional, decolonizing, anti-oppression framework. We invite you to join us.
Just want to talk?
We are here to listen and help you explore your options.
Call us at 250-807-9640 to schedule a virtual session.
How we can help
You do not have to go to the hospital or make a police report to use our services
Help you find a safe place to stay
Arrange academic concessions e.g. extensions
Coordinate workplace accommodation e.g. arranging leave
Explain your reporting options
Go with you to the hospital, police or court
Have you experienced sexualized violence?
Your safety comes first
If you’ve been assaulted within the last 7 days, there is a special team of nurses at the hospital who can help you.
It is not your fault
It is common to blame ourselves for what happened, or tell ourselves to get over it and forget it never happened.
But it is not your fault. And sometimes, we need to tell ourselves that first.
Your Safety
How safe do you feel right now? If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or UBCO Security at 250-807-8111.
You can call SVPRO and we can help you find a safe place, 250-807-9640
Access Health Care
You may want to get medical attention or prevention of STIs and pregnancy. You may also want to document the violence if you choose to report to police(only at hospitals within 7 days).
Share with Someone
Consider talking with someone you trust, a friend, an instructor, a colleague or come visit us at SVPRO. It is never easy to tell someone. Let them know what you need.
Get Support
Contact our SVPRO’s support team. We are here to listen and support you. You have the right to choose what happens next. We can help you explore your options and will support your decision, whatever you decide.
250-807-9640 | svpro.okanagan@ubc.ca
Want to Report?
There are several reporting options available to you. We can explain all your options so that you can make an informed decision. see Reporting Options for more details.
You do not have to go to the hospital or make a police report to get help from our office.
Call us at 250-807-9640 to explore your options.
Helping others
Sexual violence can happen to anyone. Survivors are more likely to share an experience of sexual violence (this is a disclosure) to someone they know and trust. Survivors have the right to make their own decisions. Support the choices they make, whatever they decide. You don’t need to be a counsellor to offer support.
Recognize a disclosure
Students, faculty and staff may share information with you about an incident of sexualized violence.
This is a disclosure.
Respond with empathy
Encourage survivors to seek safety and support.
The closest hospital to UBC’s Okanagan campus campus are Vernon Jubilee Hospital (24 hours) or Kelowna General Hospital (24 hours)
Refer them to SVPRO
After the hospital visit, follow up with us for additional for support.
Call us at 250-807-9640 to explore your options.
What is sexualized violence?
Sexualized violence is any sexual act whether physical or psychological in nature that is committed, threatened or attempted without your consent. This includes, but not limited to sexual harassment or cyber harassment, sexual assault (e.g. unwanted touching), stalking or cyber stalking (e.g. persistent unwanted messaging), sexual exploitation, distribution of intimate photos or videos without your consent.
Read more in UBC’s Sexual Misconduct and Sexualized Violence Policy: Policy SC17
Contact us
If you call our support line, a member of our team will answer and help you explore your options. If we don’t pick up, that means we are helping someone else. Please leave a message and we will get back to you within the next business day.
Our work takes place on the stolen, unceded and traditional lands and waters of the Sylix Okanagan Nation.
Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office
Nicola Townhome 120, 1270 International Mews
Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 1V7
Tel 250-807-9640