Editor’s Note: For the past several years, since the provincial government dictated that postsecondary institutions had a role to play in attempting to track and control incidents of sexual violence among their students, St. Clair has published an annual report on its efforts in that regard.
Here is the 2022-23 report, tabled before the school’s Board of Governors during a recent meeting. Given the importance of the subject, we’ve chosen to publish the report in full:
Pursuant to subsection 17(7.1) of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act, St. Clair College is required to provide an Annual Report to its Board of Governors annually. This Annual Report must be publicly available and include the following information:
• Number of times supports, services and accommodations relating to sexual violence are requested and obtained by students enrolled at the college or university, and information about supports, services and accommodations.
• Number of incidents and complaints reported by students and about such incidents and complaints.
• Any initiatives and programs established by the college or university to promote awareness of the supports and services available to students.
St. Clair College has a stand-alone policy related to sexual violence, entitled “Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedure”. This policy was updated, with legal review, in February 2022. St. Clair College also has a webpage designed to specifically communicate supports, initiatives and reporting information so that students have easy access to this information. This policy is established under the Health and Safety umbrella, and a Sexual Violence Lead has been appointed to ensure a consistent approach.
Since 2017, the college has been tracking the number of sexual violence incidents that are reported to Security, the College Resolution Office and the Sexual Violence Lead. The college’s protocol is that disclosures made to the Health Centre staff, counsellors, faculty, student representatives or other areas are communicated, in general terms, to the SVP Lead for tracking purposes. However, the numbers shown on the chart may not be fully represented if the disclosure was not communicated properly.
In all cases, college representatives inform the victim of available supports and services (internal and external), as well as options for investigation. If a student wishes to pursue an investigation through the college, the college supports the students involved, and has an external party (lawyer) conduct the investigation.
It is also important to note that the term “sexual assault” can include a wide range of sexual misconduct, including inappropriate touching to rape. Therefore, when reporting sexual assaults, one must keep in mind that while all sexual assaults are illegal and prohibited, the severity levels do vary and are not differentiated for the purpose of reporting.
SUPPORTS
Supports provided to all students impacted by sexual violence include a range of options and comprise the following at a minimum:
• Counseling – Two Social Workers on site (CMHA) in Windsor, one in Chatham.
• Referral to Sexual Assault Crisis Centre.
• Medical follow-up with college Health Centre.
• Academic accommodations and supports through Student Services.
• Safety plans.
• Interim measures (separation, change of sections, etc.).
• Follow-up by Sexual Violence Lead.
• Reporting through REES (Respect Educate Empower Survivors) portal.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION (SVP) COMMITTEE
The SVP Committee meets monthly to review initiatives and suggestions towards educating students and the college community about sexual violence prevention. The SVP Committee is comprised of representatives from the following areas:
• Student Safety & Wellness Administrator – Chair.
• Associate Vice President, Safety, Security and Facilities Management.
• Director, Student Services.
•One student representative from the Student Representative Council (SRC), one student representative from the Thames Students Incorporated (TSI), one student representative from the Saints Student Athletic Association (SSAA).
• Two to four Sexual Violence Student Ambassadors.
• Academic counsellors from Student Services, one from Windsor and one from Chatham.
• One Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) counsellor.
• College Resolution Officer.
• Management representatives from both on-campus residences.
• Director, Athletics.
• A representative from Human Resources.
• Manager, Health, Safety and Wellness.
The mandate of this committee includes:
• Fostering greater awareness of sexual violence on campus through educational and awareness programs.
• Reviewing and proposing revisions to policy and procedures related to sexual violence, and ensuring that the policy and procedures are reviewed annually.
• Remaining up-to-date on emerging best practices in the area of prevention and support, to make recommendations for the creation of new programs, and/or services where the need arises or research suggests.
• Ensuring ongoing and appropriate training for faculty, staff, and student leaders.
• Develop strategies and introduce initiatives aimed at promoting a culture of respect and ending sexual violence on campus.
• Receive and review the Annual Report from the College Resolution Officer related to sexual violence which includes the following information:
- The number of times students requested or received services, support or accommodations following an act of sexual violence, and details on the services, support or accommodation measures requested or received.
– Initiatives and programs introduced to promote awareness of services and support available to students.
– The number and types of incidents and complaints of sexual violence reported by students.
2022-2023 INITIATIVES
• Collaboration with REES Community:
– REES (Respect Educate Empower Survivors) is an online reporting portal that allows students to anonymously report sexual violence incidents.
– Students can remain anonymous or connect with the college.
– Students can easily access supports within the community or at the college without having to talk to anyone at the college. They are also able to see our process for reporting sexual misconduct.
– The college has appointed two leads to follow up with any students who reach out through the REES community portal.
– REES provides the college with reports on disclosures at the end of each semester.
– REES provides promotional materials for students in both print and digital formats.
• Training:
– The residences located hold training sessions on consent and healthy relationships with students during orientation and throughout the school year.
– Onboarding of Bringing in the Bystander (A Prevention Workshop for Establishing a Culture of Responsibility and Respect) training for both staff/faculty and students, delivered separately.
– Onboarding of EAAA: Flip the Script Sexual Assault Resistance Program for female-identifying students.
– Windsor Police Services hosting an education session specific to Intimate Partner Violence and Human Trafficking for students at Gem Residence for all to attend.
– Offered a two-day Wen-Do Women’s Self-Defense course to students/staff.
• Awareness:
– Student-led groups provided a range of events and opportunities for students to engage in learning about healthy relationships, consent, sexual violence resistance and prevention.
– Student-led groups provided a range of events and opportunities for students to engage in learning about healthy relationships, consent, sexual violence resistance and prevention.
– Onboarding of social media page (@StClairStudentWellness) to promote awareness and share information regarding on-campus supports, consent culture, and workshops/training opportunities for students.
– Hiring four student ambassadors to facilitate both Flip the Script and Bringing in the Bystander programs through a peer-led model. Students also support social media posts and outreach opportunities to engage students in conversations regarding sexual violence, distribute promotional materials, and participate in activities to create sexual violence awareness.
– The SVP Student Ambassadors facilitated educational and awareness campaigns related to consent, positive relationships, sexual violence prevention, mental health, etc.
