Sexual Violence Prevention &amp; Support Centre

Kelly Hannah-Moffat

Diversity and Inclusion

Alumni

Equity

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Graduate Students

Hart House

Undergraduate Students

Subheadline

‘We mourn, then we work for change’

The University of Toronto community came together to honour the memories of the 14 women who were killed in the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989 and to acknowledge the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence.

In-person and online, students, faculty, staff, librarians and alumni across the three campuses marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women with a memorial, led by the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, that was held at Hart House on Wednesday – the 34th anniversary of the anti-feminist attack that claimed the lives of 14 women and left another 10 women and four men injured.

Students walked across the stage to say the name of each woman killed – Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault and Annie Turcotte – followed by a moment of silence.

Separately, a group of women in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering prepared to unveil a student-led monument outside the Galbraith Building. The installation, led by Rebecca Ing, Kaija Mikes, Natalia Espinosa-Merlano and Erika Narimatsu with the support of more than a dozen volunteers, features 14 figures in a circle with a plaque that explains its meaning.

A student-led monument created by women in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering was unveiled on Wednesday evening (photo by Shawn Ahmed)

Ing said the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is of particular importance to her, as a woman in engineering.

“I see myself reflected in the women we are remembering, as I attend classes that they once learned from,” Ing said. “To remember them and the gender-based violence that took their lives is not an option: it is our responsibility as students to encourage action and awareness to improve inclusion.”

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow encouraged attendees to work for change (photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

Back at the Hart House event, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow appealed to the U of T community to heed the call she recalled seeing on a sign during a Dec. 6, 1989 vigil outside of Emmanuel College: “We mourn, then we work for change.”

“Every one of you are change-makers and change leaders, because you’re here at the University of Toronto,” Chow said. “You get the best education. You have the confidence – you have the skills – to know what needs to be done. So today, I urge you to make a commitment to put your passion and your intellect into it.”

Marisa Sterling, assistant dean and director, diversity, inclusion and professionalism in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, said women in engineering continue to face discrimination, violence and harassment (photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

Marisa Sterling, assistant dean and director, diversity, inclusion and professionalism in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, said that while positive change has been made in the decades since the tragedy, women in engineering continue to face gender-based violence and harassment, along with other forms of discrimination.

“Until violence against women has been eradicated, we will remember these 14 women and their families and bring awareness for the need for further actions every year,” Sterling said. “The eradication of gender-based violence and all forms of oppression is collective work.”

Author, performer and somatic sex educator Kai Cheng Thom delivered a keynote speech at the event (photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

The event featured a keynote speech by author, performer and somatic sex educator Kai Cheng Thom – titled “Care, Healing, and Justice: Addressing Transmisogyny and Ending Gender-Based Violence for All” – and a musical performance.

Thom urged attendees to hold fast to the ideals of empathy and solidarity amid the rising threat of violence.

“The valley of fear threatens to swallow us whole, but the light of love moves within and between us – if only we let it," Thom said. “The moment we begin to act as though a better world is possible is the moment that starts to be true.”

Sandy Welsh, vice-provost, students, announced this year’s winners of the Award for Scholarly Achievement in the Area of Gender-Based Violence, which recognizes U of T students for their exceptional commitment to issues of violence against women, girls, transgender and non-binary people.

Third-year student Gabrielle Tavazzani was recognized for her work providing pro-bono dental care to survivors of gender-based violence (photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

The undergraduate recipient was Gabrielle Tavazzani, a third-year student specializing in bioethics in the Faculty of Arts & Science, who was recognized for her work and research efforts on providing pro-bono dental care to survivors of gender-based violence.

The graduate winner was Nil Basduraka, a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Music. She was honoured for her interdisciplinary research examining media surrounding violence against women in Türkiye.

Faculty of Music PhD candidate Nil Basduraka was recognized for examining media surrounding violence against women in Türkiye (photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

Wednesday’s hybrid event at Hart House was co-hosted by the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office; the Community Safety Office; the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office at U of T Mississauga; the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office at U of T Scarborough; the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering; Hart House; the Division of People Strategy, Equity, & Culture; the Institutional Equity Office; the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office; and the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre.

Kelly Hannah-Moffat, vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture, underscored the importance of providing opportunities for the community to engage with issues of gender-based violence and how it intersects with prejudices including transphobia and misogyny.

“Ending gender-based violence is possible through widespread, consistent, and ongoing action,” Hannah-Moffat said in a statement. “We can realize this possibility at the University of Toronto, one action at a time.”

U of T rolls out updated student module on understanding consent, boundaries and healthy communication

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:58:07 +0000

U of T rolls out updated student module on understanding consent, boundaries and healthy communication

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 09/14/2023 - 11:58

Cutline

(supplied image)

Mariam Matti

Topic

St. George

U of T Scarborough

The tri-campus Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre at the University of Toronto has introduced a new online module to educate students about consent, setting healthy boundaries and the support services available for survivors of sexual violence.

The interactive module, Building a Culture of Consent at the University of Toronto, expands on earlier efforts by the centre while addressing one of 12 recommendations made last year following a tri-annual review of the university’s policy on sexual violence and sexual harassment – in particular, the establishment of “a student-focused education program on healthy boundaries, communication and consent practices within relationships.”

That includes discussing the landscape in which sexual violence can occur, such as on social media.

“The message we’re really trying to have people think about is: What does it mean to check in for consent – and to pause and to think about communication, boundaries and being respectful of personal choices and bodily autonomy,” says Angela Treglia, director of U of T’s Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre.

As part of the online module, students will explore what setting boundaries, practising consent and effective communication to form healthy relationships can look, sound and feel like in practice. Throughout each section, students are encouraged to pause and reflect on what they have learned. It’s not a requirement to complete the module in one session – participants can take as many breaks as they need, with their progress saved on Quercus, the university’s online teaching and learning portal.

“Enhancing and strengthening this module is one of the steps we’re taking to help better educate and support our community,” says Sandy Welsh, U of T’s vice-provost, students. "Our goal is to foster a healthy learning environment across the university’s three campuses where everyone can thrive – so we’re continuously looking for ways to improve our practices and supports."

Nicole McFadyen, assistant director of education and communication at the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre, says consultation played a key role in developing content for the updated module.

“We engaged in literature reviews and evidence-based research and connected with other universities in Ontario and across Canada to learn about what they were doing,” says McFadyen, whose role was created last year as part of the university's commitment to further invest in education efforts focused on sexual violence prevention.

“We also did a student consultation where they shared what they’d like to see in the module. We created a working group to help generate the content.”

She says it was important for the centre to listen to students who were looking for education about consent that was relevant and accessible.

“We’re talking about consent in all the ways you move through the world – everything from asking permission before taking a photo or posting a photo of someone on social media, to really practising those communication skills so that you can identify your boundaries, share them and build very healthy communication skills that are connected to consent.”

Students will also learn about U of T’s policy on sexual violence and sexual harassment and the available tri-campus resources offered through the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre.

The introduction of the new student module is just one of the steps the tri-campus Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre is taking to educate the university community and support those affected by sexual violence or harassment.

That includes hiring a curriculum development and training co-ordinator, who has been supporting the development of the module and other tri-campus educational tools.

While an update to the existing module for staff, faculty and librarians is coming next year, those who are interested in taking the student module can do so through Quercus, Treglia says.

Treglia encourages students to leave feedback once they’ve completed the module, which is in a pilot phase until Sept. 30. After that, the centre will review the comments and incorporate feedback. The module will be reviewed annually to make sure it stays up to date.

McFadyen says she hopes students find the module’s content empowering, accessible and engaging.

“It’s not fear-based education and so much of it is relevant to all aspects of their lives,” she says. “It really puts them at the centre of self-reflection in ways that are both protective and preventative.”

Treglia, for her part, wants students to know that they are not alone – and that there are many resources available at the university.

“If consent is something they want to learn more about or if they’ve had an experience where they’ve been subjected to harm, there is support available to them.”

How to contact the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre

U of T St. George: Gerstein Science Information Centre (Gerstein Library), Suite B139

U of T Scarborough: Environmental Science and Chemistry Building, EV141

U of T Mississauga: Davis Building, Room 3094G

‘Not just about history’: U of T marks National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

lanthierj — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 22:30:41 +0000

‘Not just about history’: U of T marks National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

lanthierj Tue, 12/06/2022 - 17:30

Cutline

During the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, students spoke the names of each of the 14 women killed on Dec. 6, 1989 (all photos by Polina Teif)

Adina Bresge

Topic

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Indigenous

LGBTQ

St. George

U of T Scarborough

Members of the University of Toronto community gathered Tuesday to remember the 14 women killed in the anti-feminist massacre at the École Polytechnique 33 years ago – and honour the lives of those taken and affected by gender-based violence.

Students, faculty, staff, librarians and alumni came together at Hart House for the in-person commemoration of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, while others attended virtually by livestream.

Fourteen women died in the attack on Dec. 6, 1989. Another 10 women and four men were injured.

In a memorial led by the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, students walked across the stage to say the name of each woman killed: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault and Annie Turcotte.

The tribute was followed by a moment of silence for the lives lost.

“If these women survived, they would have been women leaders, entrepreneurs and change agents many of this generation would have been inspired by,” said Marisa Sterling, the assistant dean and director, diversity, inclusion and professionalism in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “Until violence against women has been eradicated, we will remember these 14 women and their families and bring awareness for the need for further actions every year.

“Today’s memorial is not just about history. It matters to current students.”

Marisa Sterling, assistant dean of diversity, inclusion and professionalism, U of T Engineering

More than three decades after the Montreal massacre, the threat of femicide and gender-based violence persists across Canada, and statistics suggest the issue has become even more pressing in recent years, Kelly Hannah-Moffat, U of T’s vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture, said in a statement.

From 2019 to 2021, killings of women and girls have increased by 26 per cent, according to a report by the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability. Indigenous women and girls experienced the highest rates of all forms of gender- and sex-based violence, Hannah-Moffat noted, and police-reported data find that people who are racialized, 2SLGBTQ+ or living with a disability are more likely to be victimized.

“The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women urges all of us – citizens, institutions, and governments – to oppose and prevent gender-based violence through our words and our actions,” Hannah-Moffat said.

“At the University of Toronto, this work is ongoing and requires substantial progress on a wide range of commitments: from creating more robust policies to improving our pathways for disclosure and reporting, and from pursuing corrective actions to promoting a culture of active consent across our three campuses.”

Vice-Provost, Students, Sandy Welsh, with award-winner Maya Morriswala

Three U of T students were recognized at the event for their exceptional commitment to issues of violence against women, girls, transgender and non-binary people. Sandy Welsh, vice-provost, students, announced this year’s winners of the Award for Scholarly Achievement in the Area of Gender-Based Violence:

The undergraduate recipient was Maya Morriswala, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Arts & Science, who is researching digital dating abuse in transgender and non-binary populations, as well as among women in queer relationships.

Hayley Brooks, a PhD candidate in social justice education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, was one of the two graduate winners. Brooks is part of a research team investigating how international students and staff on Ontario campuses perceive their universities’ sexual violence and prevention initiatives.

The other graduate recipient was Rebecca Lennox, a PhD candidate in sociology at the Faculty of Arts & Science, whose research focuses on cisgender and transgender women’s fear of violent crime in urban public places.

Jenny Blackbird and Ravyn Wngz

The event also featured a musical performance by Nehiyaw/Finnish-Canadian multi-disciplinary artist Jenny Blackbird, resource centre and programs co-ordinator at First Nations House Indigenous Student Services, and a poetry reading by Ravyn Wngz, an empowerment movement storyteller and activist with Black Lives Matter.

Rounding out the proceedings was a panel discussion between Shahrzad Mojab, a professor in the department of leadership, higher and adult education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Brenda Cossman, a professor in the Faculty of Law and lawyer Deepa Mattoo, executive director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic.

Left to right: Professor Brenda Cossman, Professor Shahrzad Mojab, Deepa Mattoo

The panellists discussed what global action on gender-based violence can look like through an intersectional lens, accounting for shifting legal, social, medical and economic considerations.

Tuesday’s event was co-hosted by the Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office; the Community Safety Office; the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office at University of Toronto Mississauga; the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office at the University of Toronto Scarborough; the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering; Hart House; the Division of People Strategy, Equity, & Culture, the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office; the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre; and the Institutional Equity Office.

Following the event, a group of female engineering students planned to unveil a monument outside the Galbraith Building featuring 14 clear, life-sized silhouettes – each inscribed with the name of a victim – standing around a fleur-de-lis. Those gathered at Hart House, meanwhile, were provided with paper to make their own white rose tributes to the victims.

U of T accepts all recommendations of sexual violence and sexual harassment policy review

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 20:25:29 +0000

U of T accepts all recommendations of sexual violence and sexual harassment policy review

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 07/15/2022 - 16:25

Cutline

(Photo by Daria Perevezentsev)

Patricia Lonergan

Topic

Kelly Hannah-Moffat

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Cheryl Regehr

Meric Gertler

Sexual & Gender Diversity Office

The University of Toronto is taking steps to boost its supports for those affected by sexual violence or harassment, address barriers to reporting and take a leadership role within the university sector to address sexual violence and sexual harassment in academia.

The changes respond to recommendations made in the final report of U of T’s sexual violence and sexual harassment policy review, which was released Friday. The university has indicated in its response to the report that it has accepted all 12 of the report’s recommendations and will begin to implement them immediately.

Co-chaired by Professor Linda Johnston, dean of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, and Allison Burgess, director of the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, the review involved extensive consultation with students, staff, faculty and librarians over the course of almost half a year.

“In our conversations and consultations, we heard a great deal of appreciation for the work that is both historic and ongoing in the area of sexual harassment and sexual violence,” says Johnston. “We also heard frustrations and calls for the university to do better when it comes to fostering a culture of consent, accountability and respect.”

Burgess adds that the review’s call to action aligns with U of T’s mission to foster an academic community in which every member may thrive.

"The recommendations outlined in the report are offered with the sincere hope that the university can enhance those supports, improve processes and policies, and build a community of care on our campuses,” Burgess adds. “We have an institutional obligation to ensure that members of our community affected by sexual violence and harassment receive necessary supports so that they, too, may flourish.”

Carried out every three years, the review looks for ways to improve the current Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment and strengthen supports and services. As part of this year’s review, the co-chairs facilitated a total of 54 consultation sessions across the three campuses. They also received responses through an online form and formal submissions from student groups.

President Meric Gertler says he is grateful to those who participated in the review process and shared their experiences.

“U of T is committed to building the best systems and practices to protect all members of our community from sexual violence and sexual harassment, to support survivors and ensure that the university is safe for learning, research and other activities,” he says.

“I commend the authors of the final report for their clear and thorough discussion of complex and challenging issues. I look forward to seeing their important recommendations implemented across the university’s three campuses.”

While many of the recommendations will be enacted swiftly, others will require appropriate consultation and thoughtful planning.

To help co-ordinate and manage the various aspects of the reporting process under the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, the university will prioritize hiring new case managers. These case managers will be responsible for taking reports, tracking the progress of reports through the process, and communicating relevant university decisions to participants. This will allow the staff at the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support (SVPS) Centre responsible for supporting survivors to better focus on trauma-informed support and will also assist the university with its commitment to moving reports through in a timely manner.

The university will also increase counselling supports in partnership with U of T’s existing Health & Wellness offices, as well as community-based organizations that offer longer-term, culturally specific and after-hours counselling and support.

Meanwhile, the Student’s Guide to the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment will be simplified to increase its clarity and ease of use, and a companion guide will be created for faculty, librarians and staff.

Steps have also been taken to broaden education on sexual violence and sexual harassment, a common theme found throughout the report. The SVPS centre recently hired an assistant director of education and communication who will oversee the centre’s tri-campus educational curriculum.

“We are continuously looking for ways to improve our policies, reduce barriers to reporting and strengthen our supports,” says Cheryl Regehr, vice-president and provost. “The actions we are taking on these recommendations reflect our ongoing commitment to prevent sexual violence and promote a culture where any member from our community who has experienced sexual violence or harassment feels safe and supported sharing their experiences.”

To increase institutional accountability, the university will provide more detailed annual reporting on sexual violence and sexual harassment beginning next year. The reporting will be readily accessible to the public but will still protect the privacy of all those involved.

“I’d like to thank all the members across the tri-campus community who provided feedback during this process,” says Kelly Hannah-Moffat, vice-president of people strategy, equity and culture. “It can be incredibly challenging to engage in these discussions.

“I can see how your participation and insights have enriched the recommendations thoughtfully proposed by the co-chairs. Based on the recommendations of the review, we will continue to improve not only our processes but also how we educate and train our community about sexual violence prevention and supports.”

The university is also establishing guidelines and processes to share information with other institutions to help address sexual violence and harassment within academia.

In 2021, U of T signed on to the principles of the Association of American Universities (AAU), which recommend that, when considering whether to hire a faculty member, institutions contact prior employers to determine if the faculty member has been found to have engaged in sexual harassment or misconduct while at that institution. The university is committed to developing processes to implement this recommendation in the 2022-23 academic year.

U of T will also bring the AAU recommendation forward to various post-secondary organizations with which it is affiliated and will consult with international groups and peer institutions about how to expand the recommendation more broadly within the sector.

Work has already begun on new policy language in line with those changes recommended in the report. All proposed changes to the policy will go through U of T’s governance process this November and December. Members of the community will have an opportunity to provide additional feedback in September and October via the university’s consultation website.

The Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre serves students, staff, and faculty at the University of Toronto who have been affected by sexual violence and harassment.

If you are in crisis or immediate danger, call 911.

Consultations are available by phone, e-mail, in-person, and video conferencing. Email svpscentre@utoronto.ca or call 416-978-2266 to set up an appointment.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or harassment, 24/7 crisis support is also available from these community resources.

‘Change the system’: U of T marks 32nd anniversary of École Polytechnique massacre

geoff.vendeville — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 20:39:18 +0000

‘Change the system’: U of T marks 32nd anniversary of École Polytechnique massacre

geoff.vendeville Mon, 12/06/2021 - 15:39

Geoffrey Vendeville

Topic

Indigenous Initiatives

Kelly Hannah-Moffat

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

Awards

Faculty of Arts & Science

Graduate Students

Hart House

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Undergraduate Students

Members of the University of Toronto community gathered virtually on Monday to remember the 14 women killed in the École Polytechnique massacre 32 years ago – and to reflect on how to combat gender inequality and gender-based violence today.

At a tri-campus event marking the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Marisa Sterling, the assistant dean and director diversity, inclusion and professionalism in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, said she was a third-year chemical engineering student at U of T in 1989 when a shooter went on a rampage at the Montreal school and killed 14 women for being who they were.

Another 10 women and four men were injured.

“We need to change the system that allows violence to continue as a known and acceptable way of life,” Sterling said. “We need to speak up when we witness acts of bullying, harassment and violence. We need to all act no matter our gender identity and work together.”

She recalled feeling pressure to prove she belonged in her engineering classes in 1989, when women only accounted for about 15 per cent of students. Today, the share of women in undergraduate engineering programs at U of T has grown to 40 per cent (the national average was 22 per cent last year, according to University Affairs).

Sterling was one of several speakers at the event who spoke about the need for action to address gender inequality and gender-based violence at a time when domestic violence reports are on the rise during the pandemic. Separately, Kelly Hannah-Moffat, U of T’s vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture, noted in a statement that the Dec. 6 event also follows the recent attacks in Atlanta, Ga. against Asian women and the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan, which reports that ‘Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing than non-Indigenous women.’”

“Ending gender-based violence on our campuses and in society at large requires individual and collective will,” said Hannah-Moffat. “In your reflections on December 6, please consider what choices you can make to help us move from remembrance to action.”

In a tribute video, U of T Engineering students read the names of each of the victims of the Polytechnique massacre aloud. The Skule orchestra also performed the intermezzo from Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana at the online event.

Meanwhile, at Convocation Hall on the St. George campus, U of T Engineering students marked the anniversary of the tragedy by erecting a memorial to the victims: a simple white rose stemming from a wooden base inscribed with the names of all 14 women.

The names of the 14 women killed in the École Polytechnique massacre were written on the base of a flower erected at Convocation Hall (Photo by Sara Hines)

The virtual event was also used to announce the winners of student scholarships for research in the area of gender-based violence.

Micah Kalisch

Micah Kalisch, in her third year of a bachelor’s in gender studies and sociology, with a minor in equity studies, was the undergraduate student winner. She was awarded the scholarship in part for founding and leading the PEARS Project (Prevention, Empowerment, Advocacy and Response for Survivors), a student-led sexual violence survivor advocacy group with 75 members across U of T’s three campuses.

The group’s work is guided by principles of autonomy, consent, equity, mutual aid and support and care, Kalisch told U of T News. The project has provided peer support to survivors of gender-based violence and connected them with access to safer housing, counselling, financial aid and trauma-informed medical care.

A survivor herself, Kalisch researches rape culture, trauma and survivor-centric practices.

“Today is about reflection, education, mourning, acknowledging and holding space for the feelings associated with this process and recognizing there is a national epidemic of gender-based violence and taking action to eradicate all forms of gender-based violence,” said Kalisch.

Ran Hu

Ran Hu, a PhD student at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, was one of two graduate winners. She focuses on structural and interpersonal violence against women and issues related to commercial sex and human trafficking. In a paper published last year, Hu looks at the “hidden pandemic” of family violence in the background of COVID-19, using machine learning to analyze a million tweets.

The second graduate winner was Eugene Emeka Dim, a PhD student in sociology at the Faculty of Arts & Science. He researches intimate partner violence, gender studies and political participation in Africa and, in one recent published study, examined the dynamics of intimate partner violence in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Eugene Emeka Dim

Sandy Welsh, U of T’s vice-provost, students, congratulated Kalisch, Hu and Dim.

“All three of this year’s award winners should be commended on their contributions – in research, in action, on influencing a better way forward,” she said. “We thank you for your commitment and your passion in shining a spotlight on gender-based violence, and working toward, a better, safer future for women and girls, trans and non-binary people.”

In a panel to conclude the event, experts considered how to end gender-based violence after the pandemic.

The panel featured: Angela Treglia, U of T’s director of sexual violence prevention and support; Bristy Chakrabarty, sexual violence prevention and response co-ordinator; Tee Duke, U of T Mississauga’s assistant director of Indigenous Initiatives; Paulette Senior, CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation; Reenita Verma, co-ordinator of anti-violence initiatives at the 519 community centre; and Selena Zhang, a fourth-year U of T Scarborough student who was a work-study student at the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre.

Zhang, who is an international student from China, called attention to the intersection of gender-based violence and anti-Asian hate.

“The look of an Asian face adds another layer of danger,” she said.

Earlier in the pandemic, her mom suggested she dye her hair blonde to look “less Asian,” she added.

Duke, a member of the Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation, noted the high rate of gender-based violence inflicted on Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. “Unfortunately, for many, home is not a place of safety or peace,” she said.

Chakrabarty described the fight against gender-based violence as a collective effort “in which we all must do our parts – especially those of us with privilege.”

“Whether by supporting someone individually, contributing through our daily work or research, offering financial support, volunteering, or through other means – we all have a role to play in actualizing a world without gender-based violence,” she said.

U of T pledges to ‘build best systems and practices’ to protect university community from sexual violence

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 21:44:32 +0000

U of T pledges to ‘build best systems and practices’ to protect university community from sexual violence

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 10/19/2021 - 17:44

Cutline

(Photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

Geoffrey Vendeville

Topic

Sexual Harassment

The University of Toronto is pledging to build the best systems and practices to protect its community members from sexual violence and harassment, support survivors and foster an environment of consent, accountability and respect.

President Meric Gertler said in a statement, following an Al Jazeera report, that he is committed to bringing necessary change in this area.

“Let me be clear: sexual violence – indeed sexual harassment of any kind – has absolutely no place at the University of Toronto,” President Gertler said.

“I want to assure members of our community – especially survivors – that I am according this issue the highest priority.”

Earlier this month, a review of U of T’s Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, as well as the supports available to members of the U of T community, was launched. The periodic review comes as post-secondary institutions across Canada and around the world contend with issues surrounding sexual violence and harassment, as well as regulatory amendments by the Ontario government that require universities and colleges to update sexual violence and harassment policies.

President Gertler said he has asked the review to make every effort to include input from survivors, as well as tri-campus and college engagement. He said he has also asked the review to address four specific questions pertaining to the university’s sexual violence policies and practices:

What are the best practices to address the barriers to reporting and to provide support for survivors?
How do we appropriately account for power dynamics that are inherent in institutions of higher learning?
Given the importance of communication and transparency, what information can be shared with participants engaged in, and at the conclusion of, a sexual violence process while taking into account confidentiality, privacy obligations and a fair and effective process?
Should the university sector develop a process for sharing information between institutions about findings of sexual violence misconduct by faculty members?

“While we have worked hard to make our policies robust, we acknowledge that there is more that needs to be done – given the particular dynamics at play in higher education settings,” he said.

The consultation phase of U of T’s review is being led by Professor Linda Johnston, dean of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, and Allison Burgess, director of the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office. Students, staff, faculty and librarians will have opportunities to provide input through a mix of online and in-person consultations.

The president encouraged any member of the U of T community who has been affected by sexual harassment or violence to seek support from the university’s Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre. “If you choose to come forward, you will be doing so in a trauma-informed space, confidentially, protected from reprisal, and your concerns will be treated with the utmost seriousness,” he said.

U of T developed a Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment that came into effect in 2017 and applies to students, staff, faculty and librarians. It also established the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre the same year, with locations on all three campuses. The centre helps students, staff and faculty who have been affected by sexual violence or sexual harassment access support, services and accommodations in a welcoming, safe and confidential space. It is open to any member of the U of T community, regardless of where or when the sexual violence occurred, or if the individual chooses to make a formal report.

President Gertler said it was important that U of T’s review address any gaps in the current policy.

“All members of the University community should have the ability to study, work, and live in a campus environment free from sexual violence, including sexual harassment,” he said.

“I pledge that the University of Toronto will do everything in its power to enhance our policies, and improve our systems and practices; to create an environment where survivors feel empowered to share their experiences and seek support; to build awareness; and to foster a culture of consent, accountability, and respect.

“That is the commitment I am making today.”

If you are in crisis or immediate danger, call 911.

The Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre has made extra support available for members of the U of T community impacted by the current news around sexual violence. For more information, see: https://uoft.me/svsupport

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or harassment, 24-7 crisis support is also available from these community resources.

U of T launches review of sexual violence and sexual harassment policy

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 19:47:31 +0000

U of T launches review of sexual violence and sexual harassment policy

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 10/07/2021 - 15:47

Cutline

(Photo by David Lee)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Topic

Sexual Harassment

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Meric Gertler

Sexual & Gender Diversity Office

St. George

U of T Scarborough

The University of Toronto is launching a review of its sexual violence policy, as well as the supports that are available to students and other community members.

Carried out every three years, the review looks for ways to improve the current policy and strengthen supports and services with input from students, staff, faculty and librarians.

The review comes at a time when regulatory amendments by the Ontario government require universities and colleges to update sexual violence and harassment policies. The amendments ensure individuals who report sexual violence do not face action for violations of university policies related to drug and alcohol use at the time the incident took place, and that students who disclose or report sexual violence are not asked irrelevant questions about their sexual history or sexual expression.

Technical changes to reflect the amendments are now proceeding through U of T’s governance process while its more extensive review gets underway.

The university is seeking the views of community members on a range of questions, including topics like how to address concerns of sexual violence or harassment when no formal report has been made.

“We have a collective responsibility to eliminate sexual harassment and violence in all its forms,” says U of T President Meric Gertler.

“U of T is committed to supporting survivors and will do its part to make the university safe for learning, research and all other activities. This policy review is an opportunity to continue improving the work we do.”

Professor Linda Johnston, dean of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, and Allison Burgess, director of the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, will co-chair the consultation phase, which runs through February 2022. That includes reaching out to student groups and other stakeholder groups for feedback. Review recommendations and any resulting policy changes will be presented to the university’s governing bodies in late spring.

All members of the university community are invited to submit their feedback on the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, the Student’s Companion to the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, and the supports and services available to the U of T community, including the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre, through the consultation website.

“We know this is an important issue for our community, and we want to hear from them,” says Trevor Young, acting vice-president and provost. “We hope that by working together, we can address this critical issue and offer people the services and supports they need.”

Sandy Welsh, U of T’s vice-provost, students, adds that conducting regular reviews of the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment is a key part of U of T’s commitment to making our campuses safe and supporting survivors.

“We are always looking for ways to reduce the barriers to disclosing, reporting and accessing supports,” Welsh says.

The tri-campus Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre (SVPSC) plays a key role in addressing sexual violence and sexual harassment at U of T – from helping community members access counselling and academic accommodations to referrals and legal and financial aid. It also carries out proactive education and outreach to promote a culture of consent and care.

The SVPSC works with community members affected by sexual violence to support their needs and help them understand their options. That can include guiding and supporting survivors through a robust formal reporting process that may involve an independent internal investigation, disciplinary action and measures to protect complainants.

Established in 2017 as part of the university’s Action Plan on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence, the SVPC ensures all members of the U of T community have access to services, supports and accommodations. The centre’s work is heavily informed by community feedback as well as independent initiatives such as the Ontario government’s Student Voices on Sexual Violence survey, which more than 20,000 U of T students participated in.

Any member of the U of T community who discloses an experience of sexual violence to the centre can expect a range of support and services, said Angela Treglia, the centre’s director.

“The Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre is the first place to go to receive support services and accommodations related to sexual violence,” Treglia said. “We know that there are a lot of different resources and processes available, and sometimes that can feel overwhelming.

“That’s why we provide a single point of contact to help co-ordinate and manage all the different access points that someone may want to reach out to. Our team helps co-ordinate various supports to address unique needs someone may have.”

Treglia said supports available are trauma-informed and confidential, and the exact nature of services can vary based on what’s most important and helpful to the individual.

In addition to disclosing experiences of sexual violence and seeking supports, individuals who have experienced sexual violence can also choose to file a formal report with the support of the centre.

The reports are submitted to the Office of Safety and High Risk, which carries out assessments and implements fair processes in keeping with the university’s Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment. At the conclusion of an investigation, relevant decision-makers in university administration can take appropriate action to address the matter – including disciplinary action.

However, the SVPSC does not itself carry out investigations or take disciplinary action.

“Our role, first and foremost, is to provide support,” Treglia said. “That includes helping individuals understand the various steps in the reporting process and connecting them with a front-line worker who can be with them as they go through the process, if they choose to make a report.”

As for the provincial announcement, Treglia said U of T’s policy makes it clear that investigators must act in a timely, fair, impartial and professional manner.

“This means not asking irrelevant questions, such as about one’s sexual history or sexual expression,” she says. “An individual’s sexual history is not an indicator of consent.”

As well, students who bring forward a report won’t be disciplined for violations of university policies related to drug and alcohol use at the time the sexual violence took place.

“We understand that a fear around ‘getting in trouble’ may prevent someone from seeking help or reporting an incident,” Treglia says. “That’s why it’s so important for survivors to know they won’t be subjected to any penalties related to substance use.

“Sexual violence is never a survivor’s fault.”

One of the centre’s key mandates is education. It offers workshops, training modules and educational programs to individuals, student groups, units and departments across U of T’s three campuses.

Many of the workshops focus on themes around consent, rejection resilience and communicating boundaries. “So, understanding our responsibilities related to consent, how we practise consent, what are the challenges to practising consent and how we overcome these,” Treglia said, noting that consent applies not only to intimate sexual contact but also in everyday interactions with friends, colleagues and family.

One of the centre’s most popular workshops is “Skills for Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence: Using a Trauma-Informed Approach.” Available to faculty, staff and administrators, the workshop aims to equip people with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively manage a disclosure of sexual assault and support individuals in a non-judgmental manner.

“We know that the way someone responds to an individual disclosing an incident of sexual violence can impact whether the individual feels supported on their path of recovery and healing, or whether they feel like ‘I can’t share or talk about this with anyone ever again,’” says Treglia. “So, we want to make sure that friends, faculty and colleagues in these positions are prepared to receive disclosures and respond to them in a supportive, non-judgmental way.”

The centre also provides training on the university’s sexual violence policy and the reporting process, and runs healing-based and survivor-focused programs that include themes such as self-compassion and intersections between sexual violence and other forms of violence and harm – often in collaboration with other offices across the university.

Much of the centre’s programming was moved online during the pandemic, which has helped improve access.

“Moving forward,” Treglia says, “we’re going to be looking at some sort of hybrid model of providing services and supports to take advantage of what we’ve learned from this experience.”

Treglia says that as the university embarks on another academic year, she wants members of the community to know that we all need to take care of each other and the SVPSC is here for them.

“No one ever deserves to be subjected to sexual violence, sexual harassment or other forms of harm,” she says. “We want you to know that you’re not alone. We’re here for you and we’re here to make sure you get the best support available.”

The Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre (SVPSC) serves students, staff, and faculty at the University of Toronto who are affected by sexual violence and harassment.

If you are in crisis or immediate danger, call 911.

Consultations are available by phone, e-mail, and video conferencing. Email svpscentre@utoronto.ca or call 416-978-2266 to set up an appointment.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or harassment, 24/7 crisis support is also available from these community resources.

U of T marks National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women with virtual event

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 19:53:15 +0000

U of T marks National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women with virtual event

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 12/04/2020 - 14:53

Cutline

Clockwise, from top left: Chris Yip; Alana Bailey, Jennifer Blackbird, Micah Stickel and Marisa Sterling (image courtesy of Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering)

Liz Do

Topic

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Indigenous

LGBTQ

Members from across the University of Toronto’s three campuses gathered virtually Friday to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

On Dec. 6, 1989, a gunman entered an engineering classroom at École Polytechnique in Montreal and murdered 14 female students, injuring another 10 women and four men. The victims were targeted because of their gender. The date of the massacre has become a day of remembrance and action against gender-based violence and discrimination – and each year, the U of T community marks the day with an event at Hart House.

Friday’s tri-campus virtual memorial was led by U of T’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre, in partnership with Hart House.

“Today we are here to remember the past, the 14 women who died from violence,” said Marisa Sterling, assistant dean and director, diversity, inclusion and professionalism at U of T Engineering.

“We are here to acknowledge how far we have come in the present, and we are here to take actions, reimagining a future without violence or aggression towards women within the intersections of many identities.”

While this year’s event was held online because of the pandemic, previous commemorations have involved ceremonies and events on all three U of T campus, including the laying of 14 roses – one for every woman killed. Last year, on the 30th anniversary of the massacre U of T Engineering was among 14 engineering schools from across the country to shine a beam of light  into the sky, from coast to coast.

In 2019, U of T Engineering joined 13 other engineering schools from across the country in shining a beam of light into the sky to mark the 30th anniversary of the tragedy (photo by Roberta Baker)

This year’s virtual ceremony included a performance by Jenny Blackbird, event co-ordinator for the Ciimaan/Kahuwe’ya/Qajaq Indigenous Language Initiative Program at the Centre for Indigenous Studies.

“This a song for all of our sisters, my Indigenous sisters, my kin, and extending out to all the sisters, including transwomen and non-binary. We have a lot of violence pushed up against us,” Blackbird said. “I love you all. This is for you.”

Students from across the university led in reading the names of the 14 women before a moment of silence.

Professor Micah Stickel, acting vice-provost, students, also announced this year’s three recipients of the Award for Scholarly Achievement in Gender-Based Violence, in recognition of U of T students who have shown commitment on issues around gender-based violence and discrimination through research and prevention.

The recipients are:

Ferdinand Lopez of the Women & Gender Studies Institute
Rajpreet Sidhu of the department of human geography at U of T Scarborough
Kanishka Sikri of the Centre for Critical Development Studies at U of T Scarborough

The event culminated in a fireside chat, facilitated by Jennifer Flood and Bristy Chakrabarty of the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre, and featuring panelists Chris Yip, dean of U of T Engineering; Alana Bailey, president of the National Society of Black Engineers U of T Chapter; Tee Duke, assistant director, Indigenous initiatives, at U of T Mississauga’s Indigenous Centre; and, Andi Alhakim, intercultural programs assistant at U of T Mississauga’s International Education Centre.

The conversation highlighted ways in which individuals can call out and take concrete action to end violence against women. The discussions also emphasized the need to centre the narrative around protecting racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities and taking steps to prevent violence against them.

“It’s crazy how [violence is] happening to us, Black women, Indigenous women, the most – and yet less focus is on us,” says Bailey. “People need to wake up and not be desensitized. This energy is what makes society look away. To centre the narrative, I think we need to create spaces where we have a voice, spaces where we won’t be shamed, ignored and looked over.”

The group also discussed how non-Black, Indigenous and people of color (Non-BIPOC) U of T students, staff and faculty can commit to taking actions, informed by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

“I encourage folks to actually read the report,” says Duke. “It’s going to take some time. It is 1,200 pages with 231 recommendations, but it’s not that we don’t have a roadmap. It comes down to everyone having a responsibility in ending violence.”

Angela Treglia, director of the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre, closed the event with a call to action: “Today we reflect, we remember, but we need to respond. May we all find the courage and strength to take action and speak out against violence against women and may we continue to work for change.”

U of T to use new sexual violence data on Ontario universities to enhance education and supports

geoff.vendeville — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 21:25:36 +0000

U of T to use new sexual violence data on Ontario universities to enhance education and supports

geoff.vendeville Thu, 02/27/2020 - 16:25

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(photo by David Lee)

Geoffrey Vendeville

Topic