Gendered and Sexual Violence 2019-2020 Annual Report: Wilfrid Laurier University

From: Gendered and Sexual Violence Task Force
Date: April 28, 2020
Re: Report for the time period of May 1, 2019 – April 30, 2020

Rationale

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) Act requires universities to establish a Gendered and Sexual Violence Task Force (GSVTF). Wilfrid Laurier University’s GSVTF is responsible for assessing the sufficiency of Laurier’s sexual violence policy, the effectiveness of current programs and services to combat sexual violence on campus, and recommending additional steps that Laurier may take to ensure a safe environment for all. Additionally, the GSVTF is required to provide to Laurier’s Board of Governors and to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) an annual public report highlighting the activities and actions of the University as well as recommendations for future actions and initiatives with the goal of addressing and eradicating sexual violence on campus.

The Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy Review

This academic year the Office of Dispute Resolution and Sexual Violence Support (ODRSVS) reviewed and revised the policy resulting in non-substantive changes. A previous review occurred in 2018.

Changes in 2019-2020 included:

• Amendments to definitions to ensure accuracy and alignment with other university policies.
• Amendments to the appeals process to highlight the autonomy of the Appeals Committee to select the Chairperson, as well as the availability of survivor aids and supports.
• Amendments to the office of oversite’s title to reflect the new name, changing from the Office of Dispute Resolution to the Office of Dispute Resolution and Sexual Violence Support.
• Amendments to clearly articulate and highlight the supports available to respondents impacted by sexual violence.

The review of the policy was led by the ODRSVS and was inclusive of feedback from a range of internal stakeholders including the Office of Student Affairs, the Dean of Students Office and University General Counsel. Additionally, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the Students’ Union and the Graduate Students’ Association were consulted.

Supports and Services

In the 2019-20 year, Laurier’s Sexual Violence Response Staff supported 145 students and received 120 new disclosures from students impacted by gendered and sexual violence. The supports and services available for those impacted include crisis and brief counselling, safety planning, referrals to counselling and medical services, trauma-informed care resources, academic and campus accommodation assistance, information about on- and off-campus reporting and complaint options, system navigation and information regarding various resources within the university and the broader community, as well as advocacy within university and legal systems.

In addition to services provided by Laurier staff, since 2016 through a service-level agreement with the sexual assault centres (SAC) in Waterloo and Brantford, Laurier students can access counselling through these community agencies, with services available on and off campus. This agreement enables students to access services from expertly trained counsellors who represent the diversity (e.g., race, gender) of the larger community. This past year, through alumni donations, the University was able to enter into a 2-year agreement with each agency. Due to the high demand, there is frequently a wait list for the SAC counsellors on and off campus. Laurier’s Office of Dispute Resolution and Sexual Violence Response staff regularly meet with and support impacted students until they are connected to long-term supports. Crisis and risk assessments are carried out on an ongoing basis by Laurier’s Sexual Violence Response Staff.

Formal Complaints

During the 2019-20 academic year, there were six formal complaints filed under policy 12.4, Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures. Two complaints were externally investigated, three were internally investigated and two were responded to through an early resolution process. Two Restorative Justice processes were also initiated during this year.

The Alternative Accountability Project (AAP) was initiated this past year to bring campus and community partners together to collectively develop and embed restorative practices into current accountability options.

Initiatives and Programs to Promote Education and Awareness

The Sexual Violence Education Action Group (SVEAG) created a comprehensive training and education plan for the 2019-2020 year. Coordinated by the ODRSVS, the Group consists of Laurier stakeholders, namely Wellness Education and the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the student group Advocates for a Student Culture of Consent, as well as SAC partners. Included in the training and education plan are six weeks of targeted campaigns that focus on consent, healthy relationships, bystander intervention, and healing justice.

In 2019-20, over 80 workshops, class talks, trainings and events were hosted at Laurier, engaging 11,380 Laurier students, staff and faculty. Programming initiatives included:

• Confronting the Bro Code: Symposium on Male Allyship on Campus
• WEN-Do Women’s Self Defense
• Sexy Sexual Health Trivia
• I Can't Fix This: Masculinity and Feeling Helpless (Workshop)
• Bystander Intervention
• Responding to Disclosures: Student Leader Training (e.g., Residence Life, Head Ice Team, Ice Breakers)
• Connected Care for COVID-19: A 8 Week Mini Workshop series on Grounding Body-Based Practices
• Trauma & Resistance: Innovative Responses to Oppression, Violence and Suffering Training for staff
• Gender Inclusion Training for Staff
• Made at Laurier Bystander Training

In the 2019-2020 year, the Sexual Violence Response Staff also substantially grew its communication and online strategy, including: updating and rebranding the Gendered and Sexual Violence website; starting a bi-weekly self-care newsletter for survivors; ensuring a daily presence on all social media sites; creating resources such as the Radical Self Love Calendar and My Healing My Choice Colouring Book; and, in response to Covid-19, began coordinating different online programming and workshops twice per week for students.

Recommendations for 2020-2021

Due to Covid-19, the Sexual Violence Response staff saw a decrease in year end referrals connected to academic accommodations. Despite the drop in academic related referrals, the Sexual Violence Response staff experienced an increase in the need for support sessions, referrals, resources, and advocacy. Survivors are experiencing an increase in distress, isolation and harm in their home environments. In response, the Sexual Violence Response staff began offering brief counselling and advocacy through phone and online video sessions; online programming and workshops related to regulation, grounding, self-care and safety planning; weekly resources through the self-care newsletter; and the creation of online resources for safety and emotional first aid. It is anticipated that as they continue to respond to survivors’ needs remotely, they will continue to be creative and responsive to the community. The GSVTF will be instrumental in guiding the University’s response to gendered and sexual violence during these challenging times and will continue to commit time at every committee meeting to review the needs and respond to the most up to date information available.

Other Considerations and Recommendations

• Laurier recognizes the value of community input in the review of the Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy. As such, a community consultation process for the future review of the policy will be created. The goal will be to ensure diverse voices within the University community have the opportunity to provide input and shape a policy that reflects the needs of Laurier’s campus. Consultation has been initiated with the Centre for Student Equity Diversity and Inclusion, Advocates for a Student Culture of Consent, Sexual Assault Center Waterloo Region and the Sexual Assault Center Brant County to provide input on forming future review processes.
• Develop a Survivors Guide to the Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy.
• Work with the current GSVTF student representative to form a student subcommittee that will provide feedback into gender and sexual violence initiatives and services.
• Reporting to the GSVTF, the Sexual Violence Response Working Group will be initiated. The working group will consist of representatives from ODRSVS, Residence Life, Code of Conduct, Student Wellness Centre, the SAC, and Special Constable Services. The group will help to ensure the internal supports and services are responsive, timely, survivor-focused, evaluated, and relevant to the dynamic and ever-changing environment.
• Train additional internal staff to be able to conduct sound investigations and assess evidence. This training was intended for 2019-2020, but was postponed due to COVID-19.
• Continue to meet with other universities to discuss how to respond to challenges and co-create ideas for addressing sexual violence on campus.
• Continue to grow the Restorative Practices Project and increase the roster of professionals to offer sound accountability options for people who have caused harm.