St. George campus students asked to weigh in on February 2
Content Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault.
From February 2-7, the University of Toronto is inviting students at its three campuses to weigh in on a review of the U of T Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment. This review is occurring pursuant to s. 88 of the policy, which requires a review every three years with consultation from students, staff, and faculty. Students at the St. George campus are encouraged to register for the consultation session to be held on February 2 between 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm.
The 2022 review follows an unsettling report by Al Jazeera on October 19, 2021, which disclosed incidents of sexual violence experienced by members of the U of T community at the hands of former U of T Professor Andy Orchard, among others. In his response to the article, President Meric Gertler has asked that this year’s report address four specific questions:
- What are the best practices to address the barriers to reporting and to provide supports for survivors?
- How do we appropriately account for power dynamics that are inherent in institutions of higher learning?
- Given the importance of communication and transparency, what information can be shared with participants engaged in, and at the conclusion of, a sexual violence process while taking into account confidentiality, privacy obligations and a fair and effective process?
- Should the university sector develop a process for sharing information between institutions about findings of sexual violence misconduct by faculty members?
The review also follows the September announcement of regulatory amendments by the Ontario government which require post-secondary institutions to include certain provisions within their sexual violence and sexual harassment policies. The policies must ensure that:
- A complainant acting in good faith, who discloses or reports sexual violence, will not be subject to actions for violations of the institution’s policies related to drug and alcohol use at the time the sexual violence took place.
- During the institution’s investigative process, students who share their experience of sexual violence through disclosing, accessing support, and/or reporting to the university or college, will not be asked irrelevant questions from institution’s staff or investigators, such as those relating to past sexual history or sexual expression.
These requirements are currently reflected within U of T’s Policy at ss. 19 and 68.
Students are encouraged to review the current policy, consider the highlighted questions, and participate in the discussion to help make our community a better place for those who have or currently are suffering from sexual violence or sexual harassment.
Please note that anonymized notes from the consultation session will be recorded. Students who would prefer to provide feedback via an anonymous online form can find a link to do so on the consultation website.
If you or anyone you know has been the victim of sexual violence on campus, please keep in mind that the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre and the University’s tri-campus Community Safety Office has resources available.
