Policy

Consent

The ongoing voluntary agreement of an individual to engage in the sexual activity in question

Disclosure

When an individual shares information about a personal experience of sexual and gender-based violence. 

Formal Report

A complaint to the University by an individual who is seeking recourse for a violation of the Sexual Violence Policy. 

Sexual Assault

Means any type of unwanted sexual act done by one individual to another that violates the sexual integrity of the individual. This can include a range of non-consensual acts. Sexual assault:  

• includes a range of non-consensual sexual acts including oral contact (mouth to mouth, mouth to body part), groping, touching, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration, and/or penetration with any object or body part;
• can be committed by a spouse, intimate or dating partner, a friend or acquaintance, a known individual in a position of trust or authority, including a spiritual or faith leader, a coach or a mentor, or a complete stranger;
• can occur regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or relationship status; and
• occurs when an individual(s) engages in sexual activity with another individual(s)they know, or reasonably ought to have known, is incapacitated (e.g., by drugs or alcohol, unconsciousness, blackout, or as a result of a disability). 

Sexual Harassment

Unwanted remarks, behaviours or communications of a sexual nature and/or unwanted and/or demeaning remarks, behaviours or communications based on sex, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation, where the individual responsible for the remarks, behaviours or communications knows or ought reasonably to know that these are unwanted or demeaning. 

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Any violence, physical or psychological, that is committed, threatened or attempted against another individual without the individual’s consent by targeting an individual because of their sex, gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation. 

This includes gender-based violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, stealthing, indecent exposure, voyeurism, creating, acquiring, or distributing degrading sexual imagery, the acquisition or distribution of a sexual image or video of a university community member without their consent, and stalking that targets an individual based on their sex, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation. It can include a single incident or a pattern of behaviour, whether in person, online, or via other means.