Disclosure and Reporting Options
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Disclosures | Who to Disclose to | Interim Measures | Complaints | For Students | For Others | Anonymous Reporting | Police
Making a Disclosure or a Complaint
As a survivor, the choice to tell some about your experience is yours. The choice to file an official complaint is also yours.
Making a disclosure involves a verbal or written report or account by any person to a member of the university community that they have experienced sexual violence. In response, the university provides support and resources for the person who experienced sexual violence.
Submitting a complaint involves a written report or statement alleging sexual violence misconduct made to a university official. In response, the university initiates an investigation and resolution process. These processes are outlined in the collective agreements in place at the university.
Making a Disclosure
If you are unsure about making a formal complaint, but would still like to tell someone within the university, then making a disclosure may be a good option to consider.
Making a disclosure can provide you with a confidential and safe means to share your story with someone. It may also help connect you to support services, possible interim measures and accommodations, and may inform you of the complaint process.
Who to Disclose to
Make a disclosure to someone you trust. If you are looking to disclose to an office at the university there are options available.
Students who disclose a case of sexual violence to the Office of the Dean of Students can pursue modifactions (for the survivor) or interim-measures (for the person under allegation) in place of charges or sanctions under university policy or collective agreements. Individuals who disclose a case of sexual violence may also choose to seek no action at all.
Disclosures can also be made to units such as the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights and the Sexual Assault Centre. Disclosures made to the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights are considered to be anonymous to the institution and are protected under the Ethical Conduct and Safe Disclosure Policy. For this reason, these allegations may only result in complaints, modifications, and/or interim measures if the disclosure wishes to initiate action by contacting another office. In extreme cases, the Office of Safe Disclosure has the discretion to seek support from applicable offices to address a case.
Disclosures made to the Sexual Assault Centre are also considered confidential and may or may not result in a complaint to University of Alberta Protective Services. Disclosures made to the Sexual Assault Centre are confidential and may occur before, after, or as an alternative to a complaint to University of Alberta Protective Services.
Interim Measures
Interim measures are one of the options available to create a safe environment following a disclosure or complaint. Interim measures are imposed on a person alleged to have committed sexual violence.
Interim measures are intended to discourage retaliation, prevent further sexual violence, and preserve the university’s ability to conduct a thorough investigation.
Examples of possible interim measures that could be considered include, but are not limited to:
- No contact with specified individuals
- Limited access to specified areas
- Change in residence
- Change in class or work schedule
- Change in work assignment or location
- Increased monitoring or supervision
Making a Complaint
Students Making a Complaint
Student who wish to submit a complaint should go to the Dean of Students Office for support and assistance.
Dean of Students
5-02 Students' Union Building
780-492-4145
dosdean@ualberta.ca
If you choose to file a complaint, there will be services and community members available to support you throughout the process. You will not be alone.
Other Community Members Making a Complaint
If you are a not a student, how you begin the complaint process depends on the employment status of the person who engaged in sexual violence. The process for investigating a complaint is defined by the collective agreement under which that person works.
If you don't know the employment status of the person who engaged in sexual violence, you can contact the Dean of Students for guidance (780-492-4145 or dosdean@ualberta.ca)
It can be overwhelming to know where to begin. An email to the appropriate office saying you would like to make a complaint is a good place to start. You will then receive direction on the next steps.
Complaint against a Staff Member
- Submit your complaint to the Intake Officer at the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights.
- Get advice from the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights, Human Resource Services partners.
- The investigation is managed by Human Resource Services and an investigator agreed upon by the university and NASA.
- The decision about the complaint is done by the employer.
- The policy for addressing complaints against NASA staff is contained within the NASA Collective Agreement, Article 18 (Discrimination & Harassment Complaints).
Complaint against a Faculty Member
- Submit your complaint to Faculty Relations.
- Get advice from the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights.
- The investigation is managed by an investigator agreed upon by the university and AASUA.
- The decision about the complaint is done by the Provost
- The policy for addressing complaints against faculty is contained within the AASUA Collective Agreement, Article 7 (Discipline).
- Faculty also includes APO, FSO, Librarian, Trust/Research, Academic Teaching Staff, Temporary Administrative and Professional Staff
Complaint against a Postdoctoral Fellow
- Submit your complaint to the Postdoctoral Office.
- Get advice from the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights and the Post Doctoral Fellows Association.
- The investigation is managed by an investigator agreed upon by the university and AASUA.
- The decision about the complaint is done by the Provost
- The policy for addressing complaints against faculty is contained within the Postdoctoral Fellow Discipline Procedure.
Complaint against a Graduate Teaching or Research Assistant
- Submit your complaint to the graduate assistant's appointing officer: the dean, department chair, or associate chair (graduate) responsible for appointing the graduate assistant.
- Get advice from the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights, the Graduate Students Association and the Office of the Student Ombuds.
- The investigation is managed by Protective Services.
- The decision about the complaint is done by graduate assistant's appointing officer: the dean, department chair, or associate chair (graduate) responsible for appointing the graduate assistant. .
- The policy for addressing complaints against faculty is contained within the Graduate Student Assistantship Collective Agreement, Article 23.
- Graduate Student Assistantship Collective Agreement to be used only when the person under allegation was acting in their capacity as a TA or RA. Code of Student Behaviour applies in all other cases. Collective Agreement and COSB may be used concurrently where appropriate.
Making an Anonymous Report
- Students, staff, and faculty may choose to make an anonymous report through the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights using their Online Reporting Tool.
- Students and employees can complete an anonymous third-party report at the Sexual Assault Centre. The name of the reporter will be kept confidential at the Sexual Assault Centre, and the report goes to Edmonton Police Service (EPS).
Submitting a Complaint to the Police
A complaint to the police is an option always open to people who have experienced sexual violence. You can choose to do so on your own time. When you make a complaint at the university, you will also be advised of other options, such as going to the police. Whether you choose to submit a complaint to the police or not, the university will support whatever action you take.