Confronting Sexual Assault at : The Impact of Sarah s Story Marian Ryks-Szelekovszky, Vice-Provost (Student Affairs) Dr Lori Chambers, Chair, Department of Women s Studies; Chair, President s Task Force on Sexual Assault Education, Prevention and Support
Comprehensive University with two campuses Thunder Bay nestled on north shore of Lake Superior; a 90 minute flight from Toronto Orillia just over an hour north of Toronto Celebrating our 50 th Anniversary this year 8700 students from across Ontario, Canada, and the world 55,000 alumni across the world 58% students First Generation Students 85<50<25-85% of classes have fewer than 50 students; 50% have fewer than 25 students 57 degree programs in 10 Faculties
Vision: To provide a transformative university experience that is far from ordinary. We Believe: Our students make different. Our students want an innovative comprehensive university where they have the highest chance of success. Our students have the passion and drive to realize their dreams and succeed. Our students want the intellectual freedom to pursue the unconventional. In the diversity that comes from our students of many cultures and many nations. Our students are passionate about both their own individuality and their communities. We believe in our students.
8:15 in morning Saturday, October 19, 2013 A New Day Dawns Sipping a cup of coffee glancing at emails email from staff member, Marian, if you haven t already seen the Chronicle Journal opinion editorial - you ought to check it out. On page A5 glaring headline University Refused to Take Rape Seriously Very soon flurry of emails and texts referencing the editorial in the Chronicle Journal What did anyone know about this situation? And our world, as senior administrators, was forever changed.
Sarah s Story
Chronicle Journal, October 19, 2013
The University s Response Saturday, October 19 th President - Shocked and dismayed What had happened? What was known? and What must be done? Sunday, October 20 th Meeting of senior administrators What information was known? President Stevenson: This can never happen again. What needed to be done to ensure that?
The University s Response Monday, October 21 st President announces establishment of Task Force Chair appointed Membership of task force and mandate discussed Thursday, October 24 th Task force composition announced (24 individuals) students from both campuses faculty and staff from both campuses Community experts in sexual assault Representative from Thunder Bay Regional Police
The Task Force Goal Task Force members met and discussed task before them and articulated their ideal goals. 1. Reduce (ideally eliminate) incidents of sexual assault The key to reducing or eliminating sexual assault from campus community: 2. Education of the community (students, staff and faculty) When sexual assault does occur: 3. Appropriate support for victim
The Task Force Goal For students who have experienced sexual assault Timely, compassionate response Safe, non-judgmental environment Dignity, self-determination, personal safety Right to accommodations For staff and faculty Education around sexual assault Education around how to respond to a student who discloses that he/she has been victim of a sexual assault First Response Protocol assist student in accessing First Response services
The Task Force Goal Task Force identified three critical tenets for its attention to ensure that the experience of Sarah would never happen again Sexual Assault Education Sexual Assault Prevention Sexual Assault Support Task Force on Sexual Assault Education, Prevention and Support
Task Force on Sexual Assault Education, Prevention and Support Terms of Reference Goal: To reduce incidents of sexual assault and to enhance support for survivors of sexual assault. The task force will undertake: 1. Coordinate efforts to educate members of university community about sexual assault, its gendered and raced characteristics, the connections between alcohol, drugs, and violence, and the harm to survivors created by sexual violence
Task Force on Sexual Assault Education, Prevention and Support Terms of Reference 2. Systematic review of Lakehead practices and policies with regard to sexual assault and services provided (on- and off-campus) 3. Review of best practices from other institutions 4. Make recommendations for a first response protocol 5. Recommend potential changes to Code of Student Behaviour, including definition of sexual consent, how to get consent, and explicit consequences for sexual violence
Task Force on Sexual Assault Education, Prevention and Support Terms of Reference 6. Recommendations for potential changes to Employee Code of Conduct 7. Recommendations for new policies and best practices at particular emphasis on responsibilities for faculty and staff in providing assistance to survivors to address academic (and non-academic) concerns 8. Recommendations for education of all stakeholders in the university community with regard to recommended practices and policies and their implementation.
The Task Force s Work Collectively, the Task Force met seven times between early November 2013 and early May 2014 Sub-groups were created: 1. Code of Conduct Committee 2. Training and Education of the University Community 3. First Response Protocol
The Task Force s Work Sub-groups engaged in research and background work on respective areas Reviewed all relevant Lakehead policies and departmental protocols; focused on existing Code of Student Behaviour - pros/cons of revising existing Code vs establishing a standalone policy and protocol Researched, reviewed policies and practices of 18 other universities (mostly in the States); first response protocols, accommodations for survivors, education of stakeholders Consulted with Education Advisory Board Solicited feedback from university and community stakeholders Valuable Resource: Developing a Response to Sexual Violence: A Resource Guide for Ontario s Universities and Colleges, Ontario Women s Directorate, January 2013
Outcome of the Task Force Sexual Assault Policy and Protocol: Reviewed and amended by full Task Force Reviewed by legal counsel Reviewed by University s Priority and Planning Group (senior executive team) Reviewed by Ogimaawin Aboriginal Governance Council Reviewed by Senate Approved by Board of Governors June 4, 2014
Central Tenets of Policy & Protocol 1. Commitments of to those who have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind: a) Dignity and respect b) Assistance in obtaining counselling and medical care c) Appropriate academic and other accommodation d) Information about reporting options e) Internal investigation procedures are available f) Information to university community about sexual assault complaints on campus g) Education and training for staff and students about responding to disclosures of sexual misconduct h) Education and information to community about how to identify situations that involve or could progress into sexual misconduct; how to reduce and prevent such forms of violence and harassment 2. Policy and protocol apply to all members of the University community
Central Tenets of Policy & Protocol (cont.) 3. Clear statement: Zero tolerance for sexual misconduct 3. Clear definition of Sexual Misconduct including, but not limited to, sexual harassment, sexual assault, criminal harassment including stalking and cyber bullying, relationship violence as well as threat of sexual assault. 3. Clear definition of Consent including also definitions of what is not consent, what constitute incapacitation, force, and coercion 4. What to do if You are the victim of sexual misconduct You witness sexual misconduct
Central Tenets of Policy & Protocol (cont.) 7. Reporting Options a) Pressing charges under the Criminal Code b) Filing a complaint under the University s Harassment and Discrimination Policy c) If alleged perpetrator is a student, filing an incident report under the University s Code of Student Behaviour d) If alleged perpetrator is an employee, filing a complaint under the University s Employee Code of Conduct 8. List of services available (both on- and off-campus) at both campuses
Central Tenets of Policy & Protocol (cont.) 9. Statement of Victim s Rights: Be believed Be treated with sensitivity and compassion Be treated with dignity and respect Be provided with appropriate academic and other accommodations Be informed about on- and off-campus services and resources Decide whether to access available services Decide whether to report the incident to University Security and/or to local police An on-campus investigation A safety plan Have reasonable and necessary actions taken to prevent further unwanted contact with the alleged perpetrator(s)
Central Tenets of Policy & Protocol (cont.) 10. Responsibilities of Staff and Faculty to Whom Allegations of Sexual Misconduct are Disclosed a) Be informed about harms caused by sexual misconduct b) Listen without judgment c) Respond with compassion and respect d) Inform student about counselling and support services available e) Refer to Office of Vice-Provost (Student Affairs) and work with that office to ensure student receives all necessary and appropriate accommodation(s) f) Maintain confidentiality to greatest extent possible 11. Statement on Confidentiality 12. Communication Protocol with Individuals who have Experienced Sexual Misconduct
Policy & Protocol also commits University to: Sexual Misconduct Information Webpage Security Bulletins communicate with campus community when there are complaints of sexual misconduct that pose a threat to community safety Publically available statistics on investigations involving sexual misconduct and other crimes committed on campus A focus on Education and Prevention all members of university community encouraged to contribute to prevention of, intervention in, and effective response to sexual misconduct.
Other Recommendations Task Force also made several other recommendations to the President: 1. A review (and ongoing review process) of all existing University policies relating to the respect, equality and dignity of the person including a review of the University s Code of Student Behaviour and the Employee Code of Conduct 2. Creation of a webpage that makes all such policies related to student, and employee behaviour readily accessible to members of the university community
Other Recommendations Task Force also made several other recommendations to the President: 3. Campus-wide campaign and educational policy to enhance culture of respect and inclusion to prevent sexual misconduct 4. Structural support to realize the recommendations. Recommend creation of a Human Rights Office responsible for wide range of activities related to human rights and social justice including, but not limited to, the review of policies as recommended, coordinate campus wide campaign and educational policy to enhance culture of respect, be involved in First Response Protocol.
Progress to Date Summer 2014 Focus on providing resources and information for all employees Desk-top brochures developed and distributed to every employee
Progress - Education Summer 2014 Two brochures developed for students Resources for Students who have experienced a sexual assault Risk Reduction Strategies Distributed to all incoming students Brochures prominently available in all student service offices and in LUSU centres
Progress - Education Fall Orientation 2014 All registered students for orientation attended workshop What you should know about Sexual Misconduct and the University Community Launched Sexual Assault Support webpage
Progress - Education Throughout Academic Year Programming predominantly through LUSU and Student Centres 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence November 25 December 10 Let s Talk About Good Sex sessions monthly Vagina Monologues Programming in Residences Regular and ongoing Speakers Peer-led chats
Progress - Education Development of a Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Education Programming Team Relevant staff, faculty, student union centres, student representation develop initiatives and programming that will raise awareness of sexual assault and gender-based violence and support initiatives to prevent the violence Programming for Orientation 2015 Programming throughout 2015-2016 relevant to different populations and groups; Guest Speaker Development of Bystander Prevention Education programming Development of Gold Folder expansion of the brochure developed in Summer 2014 Expand information to assist employees in helping students who may disclose to them
What s been the Response? Lots of media attention Lots of requests for information from other Universities and Colleges across Canada Attention from Council of Ontario Universities Very positive response from students In compliance with major requirements of provincial government
Work has only just begun! Public reporting of statistics Broader education strategies for students on-going and increase bystander intervention programming On-line modules Services to those who experience assault must be reviewed and updated regularly! Complete review of policies & procedures; regularly review and update We all need to be part of deconstructing the rape and misogynistic culture in which we live!
Next Steps Await final report from Council of Ontario University Reference Group on Sexual Violence Align with best practices identified Ensure use common definitions for reporting purposes Develop protocol on reporting Review and revise our policy if necessary
Q & A Thank you.