Sexual Violence Support
Since 2020, the Durham Rape Crisis Centre’s (DRCC) Post-Secondary Program has provided counselling and support services to survivors of sexual violence who are students of select post-secondary institutions in the Durham Region. DRCC began providing counselling and support services to survivors of sexual violence at Ontario Tech University in September 2024 through a partnership supported by the Centre for Innovation for Campus Mental Health (CICMH).
The DRCC’s counselling services are open to all Ontario Tech students, regardless of gender, who have experienced any form of sexual violence, either historically (more than six months ago) or recently (less than six months ago). Services are available both in-person and virtually, either by phone or Zoom. The DRCC’s Post-Secondary Program offers 14 weekly or bi-weekly sessions with up to three clinical intake/assessment sessions.
Please note: The pre-intake, which assesses student eligibility for the program, is done through Ontario Tech's Student Mental Health Services.
All post-secondary clients are also welcome to utilize other DRCC services such as the Group Counselling Program, advocacy and accompaniment services, the 24/7 crisis and support line, and so on. The Post-Secondary Program is administered by Danielle, Post-Secondary Sexual Violence Counsellor at the DRCC.
Danielle holds a Master of Science in Psychotherapy from McMaster University, and a BA in Psychology from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). Her experience includes various work and volunteering experiences in mental health in hospital settings, shelters, and other community agencies. Danielle’s approach to counselling is eclectic, strengths-based, client-centred, feminist, and trauma-informed. She uses a multitude of modalities that are mainly based in cognitive-behavioural therapies, such as ACT, in addition to mindfulness, and neurobiological approaches. Danielle’s therapeutic presence is one centered in authenticity, genuineness, and compassion. She believes trust, collaboration, and attunement are essential to the therapeutic process.
If you have any questions about the program you can email Danielle.
About the Durham Rape Crisis Centre
The Durham Rape Crisis Centre is a feminist organization that believes in the equality of all people regardless of race, class, sexual orientation, or gender. For over 50 years, we have been committed to taking an active role in our community to end all forms of violence against women and children. As a sexual assault centre, we work with and provide support services to recent as well as historical survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and childhood sexual abuse and their families.
For more information please visit our website.
Returning Home: Virtual self-care sessions for survivors of sexual violence
Open to BIPOC youth ages 18 to 29, these dynamic, interactive and educational prevention workshops hold space for diverse participants to engage in critical reflection and ongoing learning. We want you to return home to loving and honoring yourself as you develop key tools to heal from diverse layers of trauma while having a safe space to also explore joy.
These workshops are offered by the DRCC in partnership with the Black Therapist Collective and Telus Friendly Future Foundation.
Session dates and times
- Thursday, March 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, March 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, April 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
