College implements sexual violence and assault policy
Ontario’s 24 public colleges,
including Fanshawe College, have
implemented on March 31 standalone
sexual violence and sexual
assault policies and protocols.
The policies were implemented after the colleges’ presidents voted unanimously in favour of provincewide sexual violence policies in colleges in November after the Toronto Star revealed that none of them had policies concerning sexual violence.
The new policy says Fanshawe is committed to creating a campus atmosphere in which sexual violence is not tolerated. It defines terms related to sexual violence and suggests what to do if a member of the college community experiences sexual violence and how to file a report. It also advises what to do if a member witnesses sexual violence or if a member discloses allegations of sexual violence to another member.
The document also outlines the roles and responsibilities of the college community and how Fanshawe will respond to reports of sexual violence. The college commits to assist survivors of sexual violence, ensure they are believed and ensure internal investigation procedures are available.
“The issue of sexual assault and sexual violence is a very important issue for the college,” said Cathie Auger, Fanshawe’s vice president of student services. “We want to ensure that our students and our staff are aware of this policy and they’re aware of the role that we all need to play in preventing sexual violence on campus.”
Fanshawe will also commit to engage in public education and prevention activities and provide the community with education and information about the sexual violence, the document says. While the college has not yet determined how it will do so, Auger says it will have a plan by September.
“The policy and protocols were communicated to every student [on March 31] and to every staff member [on March 31], so that’s the start of education and awareness, but we need to do a whole lot more,” she said.
The document suggests that students and employees who experience sexual violence go to a safe place and seek help and medical assistance by contacting Campus Security Services at 519-452-4430 ext. 4242.
Campus Security Services will also assist survivors in filing a formal report.
Members who witness sexual violence are asked to immediately call Campus Security Services.
The document suggests that members should accept disclosures of sexual violence as true, listen without judgement and help survivors identify available services if a survivor discloses allegations to another member.
The person to whom the allegations were disclosed to are asked to respect the survivor’s confidentiality, anonymity and right to choose the services they feel are appropriate, including whether to notify authorities.
Students found to have committed sexual violence will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct. While the Student Code of Conduct does not specifically address sexual violence, Auger says the college will be changing its policies to align with the sexual assault and sexual violence policy and protocol.
“We will make sure that it’s specifically mentioned as an offence in our Student Code of Conduct policy,” she said.
The policy and protocol is located at fanshawec.ca/sexualviolence.
The policies were implemented after the colleges’ presidents voted unanimously in favour of provincewide sexual violence policies in colleges in November after the Toronto Star revealed that none of them had policies concerning sexual violence.
The new policy says Fanshawe is committed to creating a campus atmosphere in which sexual violence is not tolerated. It defines terms related to sexual violence and suggests what to do if a member of the college community experiences sexual violence and how to file a report. It also advises what to do if a member witnesses sexual violence or if a member discloses allegations of sexual violence to another member.
The document also outlines the roles and responsibilities of the college community and how Fanshawe will respond to reports of sexual violence. The college commits to assist survivors of sexual violence, ensure they are believed and ensure internal investigation procedures are available.
“The issue of sexual assault and sexual violence is a very important issue for the college,” said Cathie Auger, Fanshawe’s vice president of student services. “We want to ensure that our students and our staff are aware of this policy and they’re aware of the role that we all need to play in preventing sexual violence on campus.”
Fanshawe will also commit to engage in public education and prevention activities and provide the community with education and information about the sexual violence, the document says. While the college has not yet determined how it will do so, Auger says it will have a plan by September.
“The policy and protocols were communicated to every student [on March 31] and to every staff member [on March 31], so that’s the start of education and awareness, but we need to do a whole lot more,” she said.
The document suggests that students and employees who experience sexual violence go to a safe place and seek help and medical assistance by contacting Campus Security Services at 519-452-4430 ext. 4242.
Campus Security Services will also assist survivors in filing a formal report.
Members who witness sexual violence are asked to immediately call Campus Security Services.
The document suggests that members should accept disclosures of sexual violence as true, listen without judgement and help survivors identify available services if a survivor discloses allegations to another member.
The person to whom the allegations were disclosed to are asked to respect the survivor’s confidentiality, anonymity and right to choose the services they feel are appropriate, including whether to notify authorities.
Students found to have committed sexual violence will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct. While the Student Code of Conduct does not specifically address sexual violence, Auger says the college will be changing its policies to align with the sexual assault and sexual violence policy and protocol.
“We will make sure that it’s specifically mentioned as an offence in our Student Code of Conduct policy,” she said.
The policy and protocol is located at fanshawec.ca/sexualviolence.
