Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Policy Policy Type: Governance Process

Date Approved December 8, 2016 Effective Date December 8, 2016 Date Reviewed Date Revised

Date Approved	December 8, 2016
Effective Date	December 8, 2016
Date Reviewed
Date Revised

Background

1. This Policy applies to all members of the College community including all employees, governors, students, contractors, and suppliers of services, individuals who are directly connected to any College initiatives, volunteers, and visitors.
2. This Policy supersedes all other policies in relation to sexual assault and sexual violence. The Board recognizes that lobbying on specific issues may involve joint action with the College administration, Colleges Ontario, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), or other interested parties. The Board also may lobby on its own.

Purpose

All members of the Cambrian College community have a right to a work and study in an environment that is free from any form of sexual violence.  This policy and its related protocol sets out the way in which we address sexual violence. It ensures that those who experience sexual violence are believed, and appropriately accommodated and  ensures the College has a process of investigation that protects the rights of individuals and holds individuals who have committed an act of sexual violence accountable.

Definitions

Sexual assault A criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada.  Sexual assault is any type of unwanted sexual act done by one person to another, that violates the sexual integrity of the victim, and involves a range of behaviours from any unwanted touching to penetration.  Sexual assault is characterized by a broad range of behaviours that involve the use of force, threats, or control towards a person, which makes that person feel uncomfortable, distressed, frightened, threatened, or that is carried out in circumstances in which the person has not freely agreed, consented to, or is incapable of consenting to.

Sexual violence Any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity or gender expression, whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person’s consent, and includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism and sexual exploitation.

Consent The voluntary and explicit agreement to engage in the sexual activity in question.  It is the act of willingly agreeing to engage in specific sexual behaviour, and requires that a person is able to freely choose between two options: yes and no.  This means that there must be an understandable exchange of affirmative words, which indicates a willingness to participate in mutually agreed upon sexual activity.  It is also imperative that everyone understands the following: Silence or non-communication must never be interpreted as consent and a person in a state of diminished judgment cannot consent. A person is incapable of giving consent if he/she is asleep, unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate. A person who has been threatened or coerced (i.e. is not agreeing voluntarily) into engaging in the sexual activity is not consenting to it. A person who is drugged is unable to consent. A person is usually unable to give consent when under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. A person may be unable to give consent if he/she has a mental disability preventing them from fully understanding sexual acts. The fact that consent was given in the past to a sexual or dating relationship does not mean that consent is deemed to exist for all future sexual activity. A person can withdraw consent at any time during the course of a sexual encounter. A person is incapable of giving consent to a person in a position of trust, power or authority, such as: a faculty member initiating a relationship with a student who he or she teaches; an administrator initiating a relationship with anyone who reports to that position or is in a direct line of authority to that position. Consent cannot be given on behalf of another person. It is the responsibility of the initiator of sexual activity to ensure clear and affirmative responses are communicated at all stages of sexual engagement. It is also the initiator’s responsibility to know if the person he/she is engaging with sexually is a minor. Note: For information purposes only, the Criminal Code defines “consent” as follows: Consent: The voluntary agreement to engage in the sexual activity in question.  No consent is obtained where the agreement is expressed by the words or conduct of a person other than the complainant; the complainant is incapable of consenting to the activity; the accused induces the complainant to engage in the activity by abusing a position of trust, power or authority; the complainant expresses, by words or conduct, a lack of agreement to engage in the activity; or the complainant, having consented to engage in sexual activity, expresses, by words or conduct, a lack of agreement to continue to engage in the activity.

Acquaintance sexual assault Sexual contact that is forced, manipulated, or coerced by a partner, friend or acquaintance.

Age of consent for sexual activity The age at which a person can legally consent to sexual activity. In Canada children under 12 can never legally consent to sexual acts. Sixteen is the legal age of consent for sexual acts.  There are variations on the age of consent for adolescents who are close in age between the ages of 12 and 16. Twelve and 13 year-olds can consent to have sex with other youth who are less than two years older than themselves. Youth who are 14 and 15 years old may consent to sexual involvement that is mutual with a person who is less than five years older. Youths 16 and 17 years old may legally consent to sexual acts with someone who is not in a position of trust or authority.

Coercion In the context of sexual violence coercion is an unreasonable and persistent pressure for sexual activity. Coercion is the use of emotional manipulation, blackmail, threats to family or friends, or the promise of rewards or special treatment, to persuade someone to do something he/she does not wish to do, such as being sexual or performing particular sexual acts.

Drug-facilitated sexual assault The use of alcohol and/or drugs (prescription or non-prescription) by a perpetrator to control, overpower or subdue a victim for purposes of sexual assault.

Stalking A form of criminal harassment prohibited by the Criminal Code of Canada.  It involves behaviours that occur on more than one occasion and which collectively instills fear in the victim or threatens the victim/target’s safety or mental health.  Stalking can also include threats of harm to the target’s friends and/or family.  These behaviours include, but are not limited to non-consensual communications (face to face, phone, email, social media); threatening or obscene gestures; surveillance; sending unsolicited gifts; “creeping” via social media/cyber-stalking; and uttering threats.

Survivor Someone who has experienced sexual violence may choose to identify as a survivor. Others may prefer the term “victim”. This document uses “survivor” because some who have experienced sexual assault believe they have overcome the violent experiences and do not wish to self-identify as victims.  However, persons who have experienced sexual violence have the prerogative to self-identify as they wish.

Policy Statements

Sexual assault and sexual violence are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Cambrian College is committed to challenging and preventing sexual violence and creating a safe space for anyone in our College community who has experienced or been affected by sexual violence.  The College is expected to be a safe and positive space where members of the College community feel able to work, learn and express themselves in an environment free from sexual violence.

All reported incidents of sexual violence will be investigated to the best of the administration’s ability and in a manner that ensures due process.  It is this policy’s intention to make individuals feel comfortable about making a report in good faith about sexual violence that they have experienced or witnessed.

We recognize that sexual violence can occur between individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression or relationship status as articulated in the Ontario Human Rights Code.  We also recognize that individuals who have experienced sexual violence may experience emotional, academic or other difficulties.

We are committed to:

1. assisting those who have experienced or been affected by sexual violence by providing choices, including detailed information and support, such as provision of and/or referral to counselling and medical care, information about legal options, and appropriate academic and other accommodation;

2. ensuring that those who disclose that they have been sexually assaulted are believed, and that their right to dignity and respect is protected throughout the process of disclosure, investigation and institutional response;

3. addressing harmful attitudes and behaviours (e.g. adhering to myths of sexual violence) that reinforce that the person who experienced sexual violence is somehow to blame for what happened;

4. treating individuals who disclose sexual violence with compassion, recognizing that they are the final decision-makers about their own best interests;

5. ensuring that on-campus (internal) investigation procedures are available in the case of sexual violence, even when the individual chooses not to make a report to the police;

6. engaging in appropriate procedures for investigation and adjudication of a complaint which are in accordance with College policies, standards and applicable collective agreements, and that ensure fairness and due process;

7. ensuring coordination and communication among the various departments who are most likely to be involved in the response to sexual violence on campus;

8. engaging in public education and prevention activities;

9. providing information to the College community about our sexual violence policies and protocols;

10. providing appropriate education and training to the College community about responding to the disclosure of sexual violence;

11. contributing to the creation of a campus atmosphere in which sexual violence is not tolerated; and,

12. monitoring and updating our policies and protocols to ensure that they remain effective and in line with other existing policies and best practices.

REPORTING AND RESPONDING TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE

1. Members of the College community should immediately report sexual violence incidents they witness or have knowledge of, or where they have reason to believe that sexual violence has occurred or may occur. Members who have experienced sexual violence are encouraged to come forward to report as soon as they are able to do so.

2. Persons in a position of authority, including persons directing the activities of others, shall take immediate action to respond to or to prevent sexual violence from occurring.

3. Where the College becomes aware of incidents of sexual violence by a member of the College community or against a member of the College community, which occur on or off College property and that pose a risk to the safety of members of the College community, the College shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the College community.

COMPLAINT PROCESS AND INVESTIGATIONS

1. A complaint of sexual assault or any other kind of sexual violence can be filed under this Policy by any member of the College community.

   The College will seek to achieve procedural fairness in dealing with all complaints.  As such, no sanction and/or disciplinary action will be taken against persons or groups without their knowledge where there is an alleged breach of this Policy.  Respondents will be given reasonable notice, with full detail of the allegations, and provided with an opportunity to answer to the allegations made against them.

2. Right to Withdraw a Complaint

   A complainant has the right to withdraw a complaint at any stage of the process. However, the College may continue to act on the issue identified in the complaint in order to comply with its obligation under this Policy and/or its legal obligations.

3. Protection from Reprisals, Retaliation or Threats

   It is contrary to this Policy for anyone to retaliate, engage in reprisals, or threaten to retaliate against a complainant or other individual for:

   having pursued rights under this Policy or the Ontario Human Rights Code;

   having participated or co-operated in an investigation under this Policy or the Ontario Human Rights Code; or

   having been associated with someone who has pursued rights under this Policy or the Ontario Human Rights Code.

4. The College takes reasonable steps to protect persons from reprisals, retaliation and threats. This may entail, for example, advising individuals in writing of their duty to refrain from committing a reprisal and sanctioning individuals for a breach of this duty. The College may also address the potential for reprisals by providing an accommodation appropriate in the circumstances. Unsubstantiated or Vexatious Complaints

   If a person, in good faith, discloses or files a sexual violence complaint that is not supported by evidence gathered during an investigation, that complaint will be dismissed. Colleges may wish to reference their own policies regarding recordkeeping.

   Disclosures or complaints that are found following an investigation to be frivolous, vexatious or bad faith complaints, that is made to purposely annoy, embarrass or harm the respondent, may result in sanctions and/or discipline against the complainant.

CONFIDENTIALITY

1. Confidentiality is particularly important to those who have disclosed sexual violence.  The confidentiality of all persons involved in a report of sexual violence must be strictly observed, and the College does its best to respect the confidentiality of all persons, including the complainant, respondent, and witnesses, by restricting routine access to information to individuals with a need for such access and by providing education and training to those who are regularly involved in the administration of reports and complaints

   However, confidentiality cannot be assured in the following circumstances:

   • an individual is at imminent risk of self-harm;
   • an individual is at imminent risk of harming another; and/or
   • there are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the College or wider community may be at risk of harm.

   In such circumstances, information would only be shared with necessary services to prevent harm, and the name of the survivor would not be released to the public.

   Where the College becomes aware of an allegation of sexual violence by a member of the College community against another member of the College community, the College may also have an obligation to take steps to ensure that the matter is dealt with in order to comply with the College’s legal obligation and/or its policies to investigate such allegations.  In such cases, certain College administrators will be informed about the reported incident on a “need to know” and confidential basis, but not necessarily of the identities of the persons involved.

Related Policies / Directives / Regulations

• Code of Conduct

• Workplace Violence Policy

• Procedures for Student Misconduct

• Campus Living Centres Residence Sexual Assault Policy and Procedures

• Threat Assessment Policy