Sexual Assault Survivor Information

Your Rights
Reporting Sexual Assault
College Response to Report of Sexual Assault
Getting Support
What To Do If You Witness/Become Aware of Sexual Assault

Your Rights

If you have experienced Sexual Assault or Sexual Violence as a member of the Algonquin College community, you have:

  • The right to be treated with dignity and respect.
  • The right to be heard without judgement and have your disclosure accepted as true.
  • The right to report the incident and receive support in a confidential manner.
  • The right to decide whether to report to Algonquin’s Security Services and/or Police.
  • The right to have an on-campus investigation with the institution’s full cooperation.
  • The right to a safety plan.
  • The right to have reasonable and necessary actions taken to prevent further unwanted contact with the alleged perpetrator(s).
  • The right to know of all available services and resources on your campus and in your community.
  • The right to choose which services you access, if any.

Remember, you are not alone, and you are not to blame.

Reporting a Sexual Assault

  • It is often difficult to disclose an incident of sexual violence. If you are the victim of sexual assault, violence, or harassment, choosing to speak with authorities is entirely up to you. However, we strongly encourage you to file an official report to Algonquin College’s Security Services or Police as soon as possible
  • A complaint of sexual assault or sexual violence can be filed by any member of the College community.
  • A complainant has the right to withdraw a complaint at any stage of the process. However, the College may need to continue to act on the complaint in order to comply with its legal obligations.
  • No person can threaten to retaliate or engage in reprisals against a complainant of sexual assault or violence.
  • The confidentiality of all persons involved in a report of sexual assault must be strictly observed. The College will do its best to respect the confidentiality of all persons, including the complainant, respondent, and witnesses. However, confidentiality cannot be assured in the following circumstances:
    • an individual is at imminent risk of self-harm
    • an individual is at imminent risk of harming another; and/or
    • there are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the College or wider community may be at risk of harm.
  • In such circumstances, information may be shared with the services necessary to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of those identified.

How will the College respond to a Report of Sexual Assault/Sexual Violence?

Where the Respondent is a Student: Sexual assault/sexual violence is a violation of policy SA07 “Student Conduct”. It is considered a serious offense and will be addressed in a manner which is consistent with other serious offences. Please see SA07 for more details regarding disciplinary process.

Where the Respondent is an Employee: Sexual assault/sexual violence may be a violation of policies HR18 Employee Code of Conduct, HR21 Staff/Student Personal Relationships, HR22 Respectful Workplace, or HS03 Workplace Violence Prevention. Allegations against employees will be addressed in accordance with the procedures set out in this Policy, and in any applicable collective agreement, and/or other College policies. If the complaint is sustained following an investigation, the College will decide on the appropriate disciplinary actions consistent with any applicable collective agreement and/or policies regarding discipline.

Where the Respondent is not a Student or Employee: Contractors, suppliers, volunteers or visitors who attend on campus will be subject to complaints if they engage in prohibited conduct. Where a complaint against the respondent is substantiated, the College will take appropriate action. All contractual relationships entered into by the College will be governed by a standard contract compliance clause stating that contractors must comply with College policies, including co-operating in investigations. Breach of the clause may result in penalties, cancellation, or other sanctions.

Multiple Proceedings: Where criminal and/or civil proceedings are commenced in respect of the allegations of sexual assault/sexual violence, the College shall conduct its own independent investigation into such allegations, and will make its own determination in accordance with its policies and procedures. Where there is an ongoing criminal investigation, the College will cooperate with the local police.

Getting Support

  • The Student Support Services – Student Distress Line at ext. 7300 can connect survivors of a sexual assault to relevant support, resources and options on your campus.
  • A number of other resources are available to members of the Ottawa, Pembroke, and Perth campus communities, including:
    • Security Services
    • Counselling Services
    • Health Services

    What to Do if You Become Aware of a Sexual Assault

    If you witness or learn of a sexual assault, please contact Security Services at ext. 5010 immediately. Security can assist you in providing relevant support, resources and options to those impacted.

    Support a survivor of sexual assault by:

    • Listening without judgement and accepting the disclosure as true;
    • Communicating that a sexual assault is not the responsibility of the survivor;
    • Encouraging the individual to file a report with Security Services or Police;
    • Helping the individual access available support services, including emergency medical care and Counselling Services;
    • Respecting the individual’s right to choose the services they feel are most appropriate and to decide whether to report to the police or College authorities;
    • Recognizing that disclosing can be traumatic and an individual’s ability to recall the events may be limited;
    • Respecting the individual’s choices about what and how much they disclose about their experience;
    • Making every effort to respect confidentiality and anonymity.

    Learn more about reporting a sexual assault and receiving support.