Canadian SciTech College has introduced the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan policy according to the mandate passed on March 8th 2016. This legislation is introduced to demonstrate CSTC’s commitment to provide safety and security in the campus and to ensure that the study and working environment is free from any harassment and sexual violence.
The policy for sexual violence and harassment at Canadian SciTech College is applicable for all students studying full-time or part-time, to all the teaching faculty member(s) working either- full-time or part-time and also for all the management and administrative staff (s) as long as the event has taken place within the college premise during College’s official business hours.
Any type of sexual assault and sexual violence within the campus are intolerable and is completely prohibited. In the event of any such occurrence the college authority is committed to act upon it and in future further prevent sexual violence and create a safe place for everyone.
The College is expected to have a fully secure and protected space where students and staff members of the College community would feel free to be able to work, learn and express themselves in a free-flowing manner.
Any event of sexual violence will be investigated to the best of the knowledge of the administration in a way that ensures due diligence, transparency and clarity. The intention of the policy is to make individuals feel comfortable about making a detailed complaint about sexual violence that they have personally experienced or have witnessed.
We recognize that sexual violence can occur to anyone regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, and gender identity or relationship status as articulated in the Ontario Human Rights Code.
We also recognize that individuals who have experienced sexual violence may experience emotional, abuse other stress related issues.
According to Federal/ Canada Labor Code -sexual harassment is defined as any conduct, comment, gesture, or contact of a sexual nature that is likely to cause offence or humiliation to any employee; or that might, on reasonable grounds, be perceived by that employee as placing a condition of a sexual nature on employment or on any opportunity for training or promotion.
Sexual harassment can take many forms including:
1. Verbal- name calling; insults; threats; making unsuitable or unwelcome remarks; jokes; direct or indirect sexual remarks; implied or expressed promise of reward or benefit in return of physical favours; implied or expressed threats or reprisal for refusing sexual favours
2. Non-Verbal- avoidance; exclusion
3. Physical- Obscene gestures; touching or kissing someone in physical/ private parts; patting, pinching; physical intimidation; Repeated brushing up against the body
4. Written material- displaying or drawing disturbing sexual contents or any other type of offensive materials such as jokes, pictures, cartoons etc to imply sexual context.
People who are sexually harassed may be afraid that resisting or reporting the harassment will threaten their job.
They may:
• Feel angry, hurt, depressed or trapped
• Feel hard to concentrate on their work
• Suffer from lower self-esteem and loss of self- confidence
• Suffer from emotional abuse/ stress and panic attacks/ anxiety
• Suffer from Depression or trauma/stress disorder
• Absenteeism from classes and also from work
• Reduced morale among team members, classmates, colleagues
• Friction within team-members, increase of gossip
• Medical or stress-related leaves of absence
People may suffer from insomnia, headaches or digestive problems, loss of appetite, caused by stress due to the harassment. They may change their daily routines to avoid the harasser, hoping that the harassment would end. Ultimately all of these will result to poor productive work in the work-place and may even tarnish the good will of the organization
The relationship of the harasser with the victim plays an important role for harassment to be often not reported. If the offender is a friend then a very small portion of that violence is reported.
Major reasons for sexual violence to go un-reported are:
• Fear of retaliation
• There could be lack of enough evidence
• Victim might think that the crime was not serious enough
• The victim may sometimes assume that the police would not do anything to help
• Sufferer in most cases do not want to get in trouble with law
• The victims do not want others to know out of shame and embarrassment
• Sometimes victims think that it is not important enough to report the matter
• The victim might be unsure about the perpetrator’s intent
1. Know your rights: as an individual under Ontario Human Rights Code one individual needs to his/her rights and talk to the authority in charge. If he or she knows the rights then they might be verbally able to warn the offender ahead of time in case of future threatening events.
2. Confide in Someone: Having support from a friend or colleague can help. However trust is important in this matter. So it is always a good practice to confide to someone who is trust worthy.
3. Keep written records: It is imperative that someone who is harassing you must be kept a record of in the form of a journal maybe. This will make sure that you write down the dates exactly and keep the events clear.
4. Say ‘No’ to the harasser: Tell the harasser/offender that you are insulted by the disrespectful behaviour and that you want it to be stopped immediately. Keep a record of that also as a warning sign.
The goal of the policy is to stop the unwanted or harassing behaviour in the school and to foster a more positive school environment while maintaining the school integrity.
A formal complain procedure can help as well to make the event informed to the proper authority and take some serious actions.
Every effort will be made in the College in order to ensure a safe and violence-free environment. To this end, certain important and prevention strategies will be used.
1. These could be safe working practices/procedure awareness, staff training and education on an annual basis.
2. Supervisory staff shall ensure appropriate work practices/procedures are developed and implemented in a responsible manner to all those working or studying the college during the official business hours.
3. Safety and Security Services re made readily available as an information resource in developing these procedures. Issues that need attention are: office safety plans, work alone safety plans, off site safety plans, etc.
4. Appropriate levels of training will be provided to all employees, staffs and students based upon their potential level of exposure.
These training will cover the following subject matter:
• Causes of violence/harassment
• Recognition of warning signs
• Controlling and diffusing volatile or aggressive situations
• Details regarding policies, measures and procedures to deal with violence
• Availability of supportive counseling and assistance where required.
5. There must be a proper mechanism to support the students under violence or who have received violence. It could be through counselling them, helping them to cope up with their emotional stress, helping them to report to the authority in a written manner etc.
• Short term counselling with psychological counsellors;
• Safety planning to prevent further events;
• Information on sexual violence and letting the victim know about his/her right (s);
Public education and training on sexual harassment and sexual assault by media and social events;
• Volunteer opportunities for trained students as peer educators and peer support workers;
If you are involved in a situation that is distressing or harassing for you then there are ways to report the harassment.
1. Report to the Campus Security/ Manager: It is imperative to report harassing or violent situations to the responsible authority as an initial report so that proper measures can be taken and then future unexpected events could be avoided. The reporting can be done in a private and confidential manner, keeping the identity of the victim fully secure and private. The privacy breach procedures are in the College’s procedures manual.
After getting the formal complain, the school authority/Manager will take into account the seriousness of the situation and work on it within 2 business/ working days. They will also make every effort to come up with the best resolution in consultation with the other management committee and following the Canada Human Rights Code.
2. Sexual Violence Post-secondary Reporting Advisory Committee: Earlier this year the Ministry has arranged a committee who has expertise in the area of sexual violence prevention and will provide Ministry with the appropriate advice on reporting and surveying the requirements under the Act.
Resolutions to these kinds of sensitive issues may go from a free and frank discussion to all the way up to reporting to the responsible parties involving police in certain situations that may include sexual assault, harassment, violence and stalking incidents. Depending on the levels of violence appropriate measures would be taken to determine the steps/ actions that would be taken against the violator or perpetrator.
1. In serious situations where in extreme case is manifested it may lead to expulsion of the student if harassment occurs among students. Sanctions will be applied in accordance with the Student Code Expulsion Policy and Procedures.
2. In case where staff members are involved, it may lead to termination of employment or dismissal under no notice from the Service.
3. Weapons related to offences will automatically be taken back by the enforcement agents and will result in the law and enforcement agents to take steps into action.
The constructive and active participation of campus stakeholders in the policy making keeping in mind the Ontario Human Rights Code, thorough research and evaluation leading to effective implementation will be key to the success of campus sexual harassment and sexual violence policies.
Not only will participants show support for the policy and improve its integrity and credibility, but will also help to ensure the policy is considerate to the needs of the campus community as a whole.
In addition, consultation and collaboration, with rigorous training will help to cultivate a shared concern and responsibility for taking action to create a safe, respectful and inclusive campus.
Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centre (ONTARIO)
English:
Assaulted Women’s HelpNumber Toll Free: 1-866-863-0511
NumberSAFE (Number7233) on Bell, Rogers, Fido or Telus mobile
TTY: 416-364-8762
French:
Ligne de soutien pour femmes touchées par la violence: Fem’aide
www.femaide.ca
877-336-2433
ATS: 1 866 860-7082
Jeunesse, J’écoute
www.jeunessejecoute.ca
1-800-668-686
Talk4Healing is available to all Aboriginal women living in urban, rural and remote communities, both on and off reserve, throughout Northern Ontario. They support Aboriginal women and their families who need support.
Telephone toll-free: 1-855-554-HEAL
Website: www.talk4healing.com
24 hour Crisis Number:
Barrie: 705-737-2008 or 1-800-987-0799
Midland: 705-526-4211 or 1-800-461-1750
www.huroniatransitionhomes.ca
Office: 705-526-3221
Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District
1-877-544-6424
www.sacqd.com
Office: 613-967-6300
Muskoka/Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services
Parry Sound 1-877-851-6662
Muskoka 1-877-406-1268
www.daphnewymn.com
Office: 705-774-9083
Office: 705-646-2122
Sexual Assault Centre of Brantford
Crisis Number: 519-751-3471
www.sacbrant.ca
Office 519-751-1164
Email: sexualassaultcentre@sacbrant.ca
Assault Response & Care Centre
1-800-567-7415
www.arc-c.ca arc@bgh-on.ca
Office: 613-345-3881
Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre
24 hr Crisis Number: 519-354-8688
www.cksacc.org
Office /TTY: 519-354-8908
Sexual Assault Support Centre for Women
Iethinisten:ha Women’s Shelter
Akwasasane Family Violence Program
24 hr Crisis Number : 1-800-480-4208
www.sassforwomen.ca
Office: 613-932-1755
www.akwesasne.ca/iethinistenha-women’s-shelter
Office: 613-937-4322
Durham Rape Crisis Centre
Crisis Number: 905-668-9200
www.drcc.ca
Email: info@drcc.ca
Office: 905-444-9672
Eganville (Renfrew Country)
Women’s Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County
24 Crisis Number: 1-800-663-3060
www.wsac.ca
Office: 613-735-5551
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis
Crisis Number: 519-836-5710
1-800-265-7233
www.gwwomenincrisis.org
Office: 519-823-5806
Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton & area)
Crisis Number: 905-525-4162
TTY: 905-525-4592
www.sacha.ca
Office: 905-525-4573
Kenora
Kenora Sexual Assault Centre
Crisis Numbers : 807-468-7233 OR 1-800-565-6161
www.kenorasexualassaultcentre.com
Office: 807-468-7958
Sexual Assault Centre Kingston
Crisis Numbers: 613-544-6424 or 1-877-544-6424
www.sackingston.com
Email: sack@sackingston.com
Office: 613-545-0762
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
Crisis Number: 519-741-8633
www.kwsasc.org
Email: info@sascwr.org
Office: 519-571-0121
Sexual Assault Centre London
Crisis Number: 519-438-2272
TTY: 519-439-0690
www.saci.ca
Email: sacl@sacl.ca
Office: 519-439-0844
London Abused Women’s Centre
www.lawc.on.ca
Email: info@lawc.on.ca
Office: 519-432-2204
Hope 24/7
Crisis Number: 1-800-810-0180
www.hope247.ca
Office: 905-792-0821
Women’s Support Network of York Region
Crisis Numbers: 1-800-263-6734 or 905-895-6734
www.womenssupportnetwork.ca
Office: 905-895-3646
Amelia Rising Women’s Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing/centre
d’aggressions ssexuelles de NipissingCrisis Number: 705-476-3355
TTY: 705-840-5877
www.ameliarising.ca
Email: info@ameliarising.ca
Office: 705-840-2403
Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services of Halton
Crisis Numbers: 905-875-1555 or 1-877-268-8416
www.savisofhalton.org
Office: 905-825-3622
Family Transition Place
Crisis Number: 1-800-265-9178
www.familytransitionplace.ca
Office 519-942-4122
Sexual Assault Support Centre
Crisis Number: 613-234-2266
TTY: 613-725-1657
www.sascottawa.com
Email: info@sascottawa.com
Office: 613-725-2160
Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre
Crisis: 613-562-2333
www.orc.net
Office: 613-562-2334
Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre
Crisis Numbers: 705-741-0260 or 1-866-298-7778
www.kawarthasexualassaultcentre.com
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton
Crisis Number: 1-800-461-7656
www.ywcapeterborough.org
Office: 705-743-3526 ext. 130
Women in Crisis (Algoma) Inc.
Crisis Numbers: 705-759-1230 or 1-877-759-1230
www.womenincrisis.ca
Sarnia-Lambton
Sexual Assault Survivors Centre Sarnia-Lambton
Crisis Numbers: 519-337-3320 or 1-888-231-0536
www.sexualassaultsarnia.on.ca
Office: 519-337-3154
Simcoe
Haldimand & Norfolk Women’s Service
Crisis Number: 1-800-265-8076
TTY: 10-800-815-6419
www.hnws.on.ca
Email: hnws@hnws.on.ca
Office: 519-426-8048
Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre
Crisis Number: 905-685-4584
www.sexualassaultniagara.org
Email: carsa@sexualassaultniagara.org
Office: 905-682-7258
Thunder Bay Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Crisis and Counselling Centre
www.tbsasa.org
Email: tbcounselling@tbsasa.org
Office: 807-345-0894 or 1-866-311-5927
Timmins and Area Women in Crisis
Crisis Number: 1-877-268-8380 (sexual assault)
1-855-827-7233 (shelter)
www.tawc.ca
Email: info@tawc.ca
Office: 705-268-8381
Oasis Centre des Femmes
www.oasisfemmes.org
Email: services@oasisfemmes.org
Office: 416-591-6565
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre: Multicultural Women Against Rape
Crisis Number: 416-597-8808
www.trccmwar.ca
Email: crisis@trccmwar.ca or info@trccmwar.ca
Office: 416-597-1171
Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex County
Crisis Number: 519-253-9667
www.saccwindsor.net
Domestic Abuse Services Oxford
Crisis Numbers: 519-539-4811 or 1-800-265-1938
www.daso.ca
Email: infor@daso.ca
