Sexual Violence Prevention and Response

SVPR Mandate

The main goal of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Task Force is to raise awareness and support students in combatting the culture and acts of sexual violence that exist at Queen’s while also empowering survivors. The committee takes a survivor-centric approach and aims to connect students. The committee wants to not only bring awareness about the pervasive nature of Queen’s culture that facilitate sexual violence, but also wish to find ways to counteract this culture and create a campus that is safe for all. The committee aims at bringing together students, leaders and faculty to combat these issues collaboratively both in and outside the Faculty of Arts and Science. The committee also wishes to collaborate with university, city or national resources.

This is the inaugural year with the position of SVPR Director who can be contacted at svpr@asus.queensu.ca.

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Current Updates:

1) A More Accessible Queen’s Violence Policy: There is a lack of transparency about the policies that the university has regarding sexual assault. We have found that not a lot of people even know the resources and rights they have as survivors. Since one of our goals is providing the student body with resources regarding sexual assault, the committee is working on going over Queen’s legal jargon heavy sexual assault policy and simplifying it, so it can be better understood by the student body.

2) The Stories Behind The Numbers: The committee is also working on a publication that centers survivor narratives and give narratives and gives them a space to tell the stories. This publication will prioritize survivors and their need first. The most important thing would be to protect the survivors and their anonymity (if they so chose). This publication wants to give the student body an insight into the stories behind the sexual assault statistics.

3) Other Initiatives: The committee is also working on providing resources and training to local businesses that student frequent, the training will help the workers provide better support in the event of sexual violence.

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Policy: Accountability

  • At Queen’s University, sexual violence is considered a non-academic misconduct (NAM). NAM refers to the behaviours that contradict the core values (of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and personal responsibility in all aspects of University life) and that violate the behavioural expectations outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and supporting policies.

  • If a student experiences sexual violence and chooses to report it, they must fill out a NAM incident report form and submit it to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator, Barb Lotan (email: bjl7@queensu.ca). Queen’s University community members who submit a complaint to the NAM system may also choose to pursue legal action outside the University and that is their right to do so.

  • After the report is submitted, the student may be contacted by the assigned case manager with a request to meet. All cases are unique and the interaction with the case manager may vary based on the circumstances of the case. Cases may be dismissed, resolved informally by agreement, or resolved formally by the case manager when an informal resolution cannot be reached or is not appropriate.

  • Cases resolved formally may be appealed1 to the relevant Appeal Body. The NAM Appeal Panel is an important part of the NAM system to support students in receiving a fair process, in being aware of their rights and responsibilities, and to establish a fair, efficient process for addressing student appeals from a NAM decision.

    Outcomes for the perpetrator(s) may include sanctions2, most serious being a Requirement to Withdraw from the University, or where the matter could result in a separate civil or criminal proceeding. Findings of responsibility for violations of the Code are tracked in a student’s NAM record. They do not appear on a student's academic transcript, except for in the most serious cases if the student is required to withdraw due to NAM.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sexual Assault: means any form of sexual contact without Consent. Sexual Assault includes unwanted kissing, fondling, touching, oral or anal sex, vaginal intercourse or other forms of penetration, or any unwanted act of a sexual nature that is imposed by one person onto another without Consent.

    Sexual Harassment: means a course of vexatious comment, conduct and/or communication of a sexual nature or based on sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender expression that is known, or ought to have been known to be unwelcome. Depending on the circumstances, one incident could be significant or substantial enough to be considered Sexual Harassment. Sexual Harassment includes but is not limited to:

    • unwanted sexual solicitations, attention, advances, or comments and gestures (including songs and chants);

    • the display of sexually suggestive pictures, posters, objects or graffiti;

    • the implied or express promise of benefits or advancement in return for sexual favours;

    • threats of reprisals for rejecting unwanted solicitations or advances;

    • engaging in conduct or making comments that creates a poisoned environment to individuals of a specific sex, sexual identity, gender identity or gender expression;

    • non-consensual posting of pictures, aggressive comments and slurs of a sexual nature on any form of social media or other electronic media.;

    • physical contact of a sexual nature (including Sexual Assault); and

    • sexual conduct that interferes with an individual's dignity or privacy such as voyeurism and exhibitionism.

    Sexual Violence: means any sexual act or act targeting a person's sexuality, gender identity or gender expression, whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person's Consent, and includes things such as: Sexual Assault; Sexual Harassment; stalking; indecent exposure; voyeurism; and, sexual exploitation.

    https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/board-policies/policy-sexual-violence-involving-queens-university-students

  • While there are certainly instances of sexual assault being perpetrated by strangers, the vast majority of sexual violence happens at the hands of someone the victim knows and often loves.

    At Queen’s, the three most reported relationships between perpetrator and survivor were an acquaintance or peers, no prior relationship, and a friend. Forty-eight percent of incidents of sexual violence identified by students who completed the Student Experiences Survey occurred in off-campus residences. Fifteen percent of incidents were reported to have occurred in on campus residences and 19% of incidents happened at a bar, night club or dance club.

  • In residence, you can talk to your Don, your Residence Life Coordinator, or to any staff member in the building. Residence staff will listen to you and provide you with resources. If disclosing to your Don, they will call the Residence Life Coordinator on-call to attend and provide you with further information and resources, such as speaking with Campus Security and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator. You will be offered the option of an emergency stay space or a room change. If there is an immediate safety risk to you or other residents or you wish to make a complaint, the perpetrator may be moved to a different building, or have their residence contract terminated, and/or a notice of trespass to residences. More formal actions may be undertaken if you make a complaint, an investigation is undertaken and the allegation is substantiated. Queen’s understands concerns regarding reprisal and retaliation and will make all efforts to maintain your safety.

    Reference: https://www.queensu.ca/sexualviolencesupport/faq-sexual-violence-policy

  • You have the right to a safe working and educational environment. The Sexual Violence Policy clearly states that a student impacted by sexual violence will receive appropriate support or accommodation, regardless of the role of the perpetrator in the Queen’s community. Formal complaints against employees follow a different process than complaints made against students. More information about this process is available from Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Services (SVPRS).

    Reference: https://www.queensu.ca/sexualviolencesupport/faq-sexual-violence-policy

  • 1. GO TO A SAFE PLACE

    • Queen’s encourages students who have experienced sexual violence to reach out for support and offers the following steps as options to consider:

    • If you live in a Residence: contact your Don or call the front desk of your Residence and ask for the on-call Don. Dons are there to listen and support you

    • If you don’t live in Residences or are not a student: call or go to a trusted friend’s house or shelter if you feel physically and/or emotionally unsafe

    2. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

    • Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program of Kingston General Hospital (KGH) provides confidential services 24/7.

    • For assistance, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., call (613) 549-6666 Ext: 4880.

    • Ask for the SA/DV nurse. After 4 p.m., call (613) 548-3232 press 0 and ask for the SA/DV Nurse.

    Services include:

    • Emergency medical care.

    • Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, HIV and pregnancy.

    • Forensic evidence collection, including the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit.

    For evidence collection, try not to:

    • Shower, bathe or use the washroom prior to medical exam.

    • Change, wash or destroy clothing.

    • Clean up the scene.

    If you want accompaniment to the hospital:

    • Sexual Assault Centre Kingston: Call (613) 544-6424 crisis line operates 24/7

    • Sexual Health Resource Centre (Kingston) – a confidential, non-judgmental, feminist, queer positive, pro-choice, sex positive and non-heterosexist information and referral service. Located in room 223 in the JDUC. Call (613) 533-2959. Email info@shrckingston.org.

    • Queen's Student Wellness Services, Health Services. Monday - Friday. Located in Mitchell Hall. Call (613) 533-2506.

    3. EXPLORE SUPPORT SERVICES

    Not sure what to do next?

    • Contact Barb Lotan, the Queen’s University Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator. Barb can provide information and to review your options with you. Monday to Friday. She can be contacted at bjl7@queensu.ca (email preferred) or (613) 533-6000 x36330

    • Counselling Services, Student Wellness: Ask for an appointment with a counsellor; indicate it is a crisis related to sexual assault. Main floor, Mitchell Hall (613) 533-2506, email: counselling.services@queensu.ca

    • Faculty Counsellors are available in some faculties: Graduate Studies, Engineering, Commerce, Education, Medicine. Contact Counselling Services to schedule appointments.

    • Residence Counsellors: Mackenzie Green mackenzie.green@queensu.ca and Pamela Hall pamela.hall@queensu.ca

    • Reporting Options :

    • Kingston Police Services – (613) 549-4660

    • Campus Security and Emergency Services can help with reports to Kingston Police. Call (613) 533-6733

    • Non-Academic Misconduct - reports can be submitted by the SVPR Coordinator, Campus Security or a Human Rights Advisor

    Reference: https://www.queensu.ca/sexualviolencesupport/steps-students-take-after-sexual-assault

  • Except in very specific circumstances, the Police do not become involved unless you ask them to be. Generally, the University does NOT notify police of either disclosures or University complaints of sexual violence. An exception would be when there is an immediate safety concern. A student who would like to speak to a police officer to get information to assist in making a decision about police reporting can contact the SVPRC, a Human Rights Advisor or Campus Security for support with that process.

    Reference: https://www.queensu.ca/sexualviolencesupport/faq-sexual-violence-policy

  • YES! You can choose to take the investigation in three different directions.

    NO FURTHER ACTION: The police will write a report and it will be filed for safe keeping.

    OFFENDER CAUTIONED: The police will write a report and will tell the offender about the infos they received. The offender is cautioned about his/her behaviour.

    CHARGES LAID: If the police and Crown Attorney think they can prove to a judge that you were sexually assaulted, you may have the offender charged.

    No matter which way you want it handled the police will register the offender on the national Violent Crime Linkage/Analysis System (VICLAS). VICLAS helps police track violent offenders and sex offenders throughout all of Canada.

    Your case is kept confidential but there are laws governing what police and/or the Children's Aid Society must do to ensure the safety of individuals under 16 years of age. This is on a case-by-case basis.

    Reference: https://www.voicesforwomen.ca/Frequently-Asked-Questions

  • The Sexual Violence Prevent and Response Services (SVPRS) is part of the Human Rights and Equity Office. It is an independent department on campus, located in Mackintosh-Corry Hall. SVPRS proves non-judgmental sexual violence support, response, and prevention initiatives to students who have been impacted by gender-based violence, specifically sexual violence regardless of where or when the violence took place. If you are someone you know has experienced sexual violence, contact the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator, Barb Lotan (bjl7@queensu.ca) to learn about your options, access non-emergency support and access possible next steps including filing a complaint.

    Emergency Response:

    • Dial 911 police, fire and rescue, ambulance for life-threatening response.

    • Queen's Emergency Report Centre (613) 533-6111 (24/7)

    • Kingston General Hospital 24/7 Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program (ask for the SA/DV nurse). (613) 549-6666 Ext: 4880

    • Sexual Assault Centre Kingston. 24/7 crisis and support line. (613) 544-6424 Toll-Free: 1 (877) 544-6424

    See the resource section for more information

  • 58% of students who were asked about their perceptions of and experiences with sexual violence on campus believe that sexual violence is a problem at Queen’s, versus 7% who don’t see it as a problem at all. By gender, respondents who identify as women and those who identify as non-binary or Two Spirit are more likely to see sexual violence as a problem - only 3% of women and non-binary/Two Spirit students who completed the survey felt it wasn’t a problem, versus 14% of men who felt the same way.

  • You can pursue criminal reporting and/or file a complaint under the Sexual Violence Policy. If you are thinking about making a complaint to the University, please contact the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator. You can also make a report to Campus Security. You do not have to pursue complaint procedures when disclosing an experience of sexual violence. If you choose to make a complaint, you can choose to withdraw from that process at any time. You can also file a report with the police. You can make complaints both to the University and to the police at the same time.

    Reference: https://www.queensu.ca/sexualviolencesupport/faq-sexual-violence-policy

Resources

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Have Questions or looking to get involved?