General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: When a Student Confides a Rape, Should a Professor Have to Report It? [View all]daredtowork
(3,732 posts)But they should also encourage the student to report it: especially if the incident just occurred and evidence is at stake.
People who are in jobs where they might be perceived as trusted advisers should receive training in this area and know what the resources are.
Under no circumstances should they start to treat someone who is going through a crisis as a "procedure" or an "it" - that dehumanizes them.
Unless they are threatening imminent harm to themselves are others (and even in that case, use some judgment) which might require immediate referral to psychological crisis services, the student is the one who has all the factors of the situation in mind. Let them make the decision. Let them have the dignity of owning the situation. Listen first to what they need first.