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