For students based at the University of Lethbridge, Calgary Campus, there are different resources and supports available. Please see below for a list of campus and community resources.
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To connect to the U of L - Calgary Campus main page, click here: University of Lethbridge - Calgary Campus.
If you have been recently sexually assaulted (in the past 96 Hours) you can go to https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/facility.aspx?id=1018406 and see the Calgary Sexual Assault Centre. CSART is a team of Doctors, Nurses, and Advocates. This team can look after any medical concerns that you may have and, if you choose, do a sexual assault kit and collect any forensic evidence in the case that you decide to report to the police. To access CSART go to the Sheldon-Chumir Health Centre and tell the intake nurse that you have been sexually assaulted. If you have any questions about CSART, please call 403.237.5888.
For a health care centre or doctor in Calgary, check out the Alberta Health Services Find Healthcare website.
The closest health care facility to the uLethbridge Calgary Campus that accepts walk-in patients is the Imagine Health Centre, located in the Bow Valley College West Campus.
- Imagine Health Centre Hours:
- Monday: 8:00am to 4:30pm
- Tuesday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
- Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Have a health concern for yourself or someone else? Not sure how serious it is or what to do? Health Link provides over the phone health advice from a registered nurse 24/7. When you call, they will ask questions, assess symptoms and determine the best care for you. They can provide you with information about what’s going on, recommendations on what steps to take or where to seek care, and information about where to find care. If English is not your first language, Health Link can also provide support by bringing in an interpreter to be part of a 3 way conversation.
Security and Safewalk, Bow Valley College
The Bow Valley College Security offices are located on the 1st floor of both the south and north campuses. Security is available to students for concerns regarding health and safety on campus. uLethbridge students can access the Safewalk program. Through this program, Security guards will walk with students within a 2 block campus if they feel as though they would like accompaniment.
Counselling offers a supportive and non-judgemental space in which to talk about your experience, learn new strategies for coping, and process trauma.
uLethbridge Services
Counselling Services, Bow Valley College
University of Lethbridge Calgary Campus students have access to professional counsellors through the Bow Valley College Counselling Services in Learner Success Services. This service is free of charge for students enrolled at the University. Students have the opportunity to discuss life concerns and difficulties in a private and confidential setting. BVC counsellors have a wide variety of backgrounds and experience and are trained to work with all kinds of counselling issues, and are here to talk about any subject with which a student feels they need help. Through this center, students have access to personal, academic and career counselling.
Off Campus
Distress Centre Calgary (DCC) ensures everyone has a place to turn to in a time of crisis by providing 24 hour crisis support, professional counselling and referrals - all at no cost. Counselling is available over the phone or face to face. They also provide a referral service to connect callers with the appropriate community resource. This resource is not just available to uLethbridge students, but all community members. Through their ‘Connecteen’ program, they provide resources and services for teens who need support
Eastside Family Services, Woods Homes
Eastside Family Services provides no-charge, walk-in, single session counselling to individuals, couples and families. These services are for people experiencing emotional upset that may arise from a variety of situations ranging from parent/ adolescent conflict and mental health concerns to domestic violence, financial stress and employment loss. They have multidisciplinary teams of professionals, including psychiatric and clinical consultation. They also provide no-cost, legal advice in collaboration with Calgary Legal Guidance. These are walk-in services-- there is no appointment necessary to access these services.
Through Calgary Counselling Centre, students can access counselling. This community resource is available to all individuals, family and youth, not just uLethbridge students. This organization connects those who need it with a registered Psychologist to help individuals identify and work through issues that they want assistance with. This is a ‘for-fee’ service, however fees are done on a sliding scale, depending on the income of the individual accessing the service.
The impacts of sexual violence can have physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual effects. Consciously taking care of yourself can be helpful to recovery. This means taking care of yourself and doing things that feel good.
Find the strategies that are right for you, such as:
- Drinking Water
- Eating Healthy
- Spending time with friends you trust
- Sleeping
- Coloring
- Listening to music
- Exercise
Here are some resources that you may find meaningful in feeling through what you need to feel comforted and well.
- Mindfulness & The Window of Tolerance
- Choosing Your Own Path to Survivorship
- 4 Ways to Overcome Self Blame After Sexual Assault
- Men and Sexual Assault
- Youth Surviving & Thriving: Many Paths to Healing
- Caring For Yourself is a Radical Act
- Methods of Self Care
- Calm in the Storm: Coping with the Stresses in Life
Resources for Self-Compassion & Meditation:
It is always your choice whether or not you report the crime to the police.
The decision to participate in the criminal justice system can be a very difficult decision to make. Reporting sexual assault is completely optional and never mandatory.
It is never too late to report sexual assault to the police. However, some evidence is time sensitive and as time passes it may be difficult to obtain certain pieces of information that can substantiate the investigation. That being said, it is absolutely okay for you to take your time to consider if reporting to the police is right for you and to do so when you are ready.
There are two different options in reporting a sexual assault to the police:
- You or a support person can phone the Calgary Police Service: 403.266.1234 and a Constable can come to your home.
- You can go into your local district office and make a report. If the district is particularly busy they may not be able to take the report at that moment. It is possible to schedule an appointment at your local district online. Go to Calgary Police Service and select Schedule Your Appointment.
It is possible to request a specific gender of Constable; however, it might take longer for them to arrive and one may not be available at that time.
The Reporting Process
The police officer will take your statement. Often they will ask you to tell them what happened as you remember it and then they will ask clarifying questions. The officers will want to make sure they have as many details as possible, so at times these questions may feel very personal; however, these details are necessary to complete a proper investigation. They may ask for a written statement as well. They will provide you with the means to do this written statement, however, if you had previously written out a statement and wished to provide this to the officers you can as well. Throughout making this report, you can take breaks at any time.
The report that you make will be given a file number. Keep the file number and the name and badge number of the constable in your records so that if you wish to inquire about the report the police can easily locate it within the system.
For more information about the legal process from reporting to court phone Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse and ask to book an appointment with a Police and Court Education and Support Worker at 403.237.5888.