The Understanding and Prevention Of Sexual Violence/Harassment

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Understanding Sexual Violence, Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment

Sexual violence, as defined in our policies, refers to any act or behavior targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression that is committed, threatened, or attempted without their consent. This may include both physical and psychological actions.

Types of Actions

Sexual Assault

Any type of sexual contact without mutual consent, ranging from kissing and fondling to intercourse or other sexual acts. Any physical contact of a sexual nature without consent is considered sexual assault.

Sexual Harassment

A course of comments or conduct based on an individual’s sex or gender that is known, or ought reasonably to be known, to be unwelcome. While sexual harassment often involves repeated actions or statements, even a single incident can constitute harassment. It is important to note that a person does not need to verbally object for the behaviour to be considered harassment.

Other Forms of Sexual Violence

Slapping someone’s butt
Voyeurism
Joking about violence
Sharing intimate photos of others
Revenge porn
Stealthing
Trying to get your partner in the mood when they’ve said "no"
Stalking
Getting someone drunk to hook up
Threatening to force sexual acts
Street harassment
Continuing to flirt after they've said they're not interested
Not stopping sex when your partner changes their mind
Cyber harassment

Drink Spiking Awareness

What is it?

Drink spiking is when alcohol or a drug is added to your drink without your knowledge or consent. Drink spiking makes the survivor more vulnerable to sexual assault, human trafficking, robbery, abduction and injury. Drink spiking can occur anywhere (bars, clubs, private homes, pubs, festivals, universities or work). Drink spiking can happen to anyone at any time.

Can you identify if your drink has been spiked?

No, the substances added to your drink can be odourless, tasteless and colourless.

What can you do to protect yourself from drink spiking?

Buy your own drinks and watch them being prepared
Never leave your drink unattended
Use NightCaps, available at the EDHRO A-113 and SEC A-126

How to Respond to a Disclosure

Sexual Violence Disclosures

Steps to responding to disclosure	How to?
RECOGNIZE indicators that someone may be experiencing mental health concerns; Be aware that experiencing sexual violence can be traumatic Be aware that a positive disclosure experience is key Be aware of cultural differences and power differences Be aware of health and physical safety needs	Disclosure refers to when someone discloses to another that they have experienced sexual violence. If someone discloses an experience of sexual violence to you, it is probably because they trust and feel safe with you. That’s a big deal and something we want to respond to with care and respect. Above all else, remember that when someone discloses their voice and their choices come first. They are in the best decision to make choices about what will be right for them. An affected member of the University community may disclose for the purposes of receiving support without filing a report/complaint. A disclosure of sexual violence does not constitute a report/complaint of sexual violence.
RESPOND appropriately to someone who needs support, based on the indicators present and your relationship with them; Be compassionate and respectful Provide validation and non-judgmental support Don’t ask for more details to limit the amount of times the individual has to share their story but listen actively and emphatically to what they do share	What to Do and Say A supportive response: DO listen DO believe DO be non-judgemental DO communicate that sexual violence is never the responsibility of the victim DO help the survivor identify and/or access services DO respect the survivor’s right to choose the services they feel are most appropriate and to decide whether to report incident(s) Here are some things you can say: I believe you What happened is not your fault You did not cause this It means a lot that you trusted me with this Tell me as much or as little as you want Can I look for some resources and support that might help? If you need someone to come with you, I will Is there something I can do to help? I'm here for you The decision on what to do next is yours Can I do something, like run an errand, to help you? Is there someone I can reach out to on your behalf for support? I will not share unless you ask me too I am so sorry this happened to you How can I support you? Disclosure and Response Flowchart
REFER someone to supports and services in an appropriate way Share information about EDHRO Email: edhr@laurentian.ca Phone: (705) 675-1151 ext. 3427 Location: Arts Building, A-113 Share information about other resources If limits of confidentiality apply, inform the appropriate University official Follow-up and check-in with the individual as appropriate Consult and get support from the EDHRO as needed Duty to report: Disclosures of sexual violence must be brought to the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office if they meet any of the following limits to confidentiality: There is a risk of harm (to self, others or the broader community) There is an obligation by law (if the person disclosing to you is under 16 years of age) There is an obligation by a regulatory body (if the accused belongs to a profession regulated by a college, such as social workers, nurses or physicians)	Assess immediate safety - is the survivor safe? If survivor discloses to you an incident of sexual assault or sexual violence you will immediately assess the situation as an emergency situation or a non-emergency situation. NO. Survivor is not safe Emergency There is an imminent threat of sexual violence and of harm to a person If immediate safety is at risk contact 911 and/or campus security at 705-673-6562 DO inform survivor about emergency medical services available at Health Sciences North (VIPP Nurse) YES. Survivor is currently safe Non-Emergency Immediate safety of survivor is not at risk and survivor is in a safe space Non-Emergency Resources and Services If survivor is willing to accept referral, refer them to the resources listed on the reverse of this postcard If survivor is unwilling to report incident(s): DO respect their decision and choice not to report the incident(s) DO NOT report or investigate the incident(s) yourself DO NOT pressure or coerce survivor into taking any course of action

Steps to responding to disclosure

How to?

RECOGNIZE indicators that someone may be experiencing mental health concerns;
1. Be aware that experiencing sexual violence can be traumatic
2. Be aware that a positive disclosure experience is key
3. Be aware of cultural differences and power differences
4. Be aware of health and physical safety needs

Disclosure refers to when someone discloses to another that they have experienced sexual violence.

If someone discloses an experience of sexual violence to you, it is probably because they trust and feel safe with you. That’s a big deal and something we want to respond to with care and respect.

Above all else, remember that when someone discloses their voice and their choices come first. They are in the best decision to make choices about what will be right for them.

An affected member of the University community may disclose for the purposes of receiving support without filing a report/complaint. A disclosure of sexual violence does not constitute a report/complaint of sexual violence.

RESPOND appropriately to someone who needs support, based on the indicators present and your relationship with them;
1. Be compassionate and respectful
2. Provide validation and non-judgmental support
3. Don’t ask for more details to limit the amount of times the individual has to share their story but listen actively and emphatically to what they do share

What to Do and Say

A supportive response:

DO listen
DO believe
DO be non-judgemental
DO communicate that sexual violence is never the responsibility of the victim
DO help the survivor identify and/or access services
DO respect the survivor’s right to choose the services they feel are most appropriate and to decide whether to report incident(s)

Here are some things you can say:

I believe you
What happened is not your fault
You did not cause this
It means a lot that you trusted me with this
Tell me as much or as little as you want
Can I look for some resources and support that might help?
If you need someone to come with you, I will
Is there something I can do to help?
I'm here for you
The decision on what to do next is yours
Can I do something, like run an errand, to help you?
Is there someone I can reach out to on your behalf for support?
I will not share unless you ask me too
I am so sorry this happened to you
How can I support you?

Disclosure and Response Flowchart

REFER someone to supports and services in an appropriate way

Share information about EDHRO
- Email: edhr@laurentian.ca
- Phone: (705) 675-1151 ext. 3427
- Location: Arts Building, A-113
Share information about other resources
If limits of confidentiality apply, inform the appropriate University official
Follow-up and check-in with the individual as appropriate
Consult and get support from the EDHRO as needed
Duty to report: Disclosures of sexual violence must be brought to the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office if they meet any of the following limits to confidentiality:
- There is a risk of harm (to self, others or the broader community)
- There is an obligation by law (if the person disclosing to you is under 16 years of age)
- There is an obligation by a regulatory body (if the accused belongs to a profession regulated by a college, such as social workers, nurses or physicians)

Assess immediate safety - is the survivor safe?

If survivor discloses to you an incident of sexual assault or sexual violence you will immediately assess the situation as an emergency situation or a non-emergency situation.

NO. Survivor is not safe

Emergency
There is an imminent threat of sexual violence and of harm to a person
If immediate safety is at risk contact 911 and/or campus security at 705-673-6562
DO inform survivor about emergency medical services available at Health Sciences North (VIPP Nurse)

YES. Survivor is currently safe

Non-Emergency
Immediate safety of survivor is not at risk and survivor is in a safe space

Non-Emergency Resources and Services

If survivor is willing to accept referral, refer them to the resources listed on the reverse of this postcard
If survivor is unwilling to report incident(s):
- DO respect their decision and choice not to report the incident(s)
- DO NOT report or investigate the incident(s) yourself
- DO NOT pressure or coerce survivor into taking any course of action