Responding to Sexual Violence in Residence

Shape: The University Strategic Plan can only succeed within a safe and vibrant learning environment. All forms  of sexual violence go against this mission so Residence Services and the University of Alberta are committed to supporting the needs of survivors to restore this environment for them.

Individual reactions to sexual violence will differ greatly, and a person's decision about how to respond to an experience of sexual violence may change over time. Should a survivor choose to disclose, there will be services and experienced professionals ready to assist and support them.

SURVIVOR-DRIVEN APPROACH

Responses to disclosures or complaints will be focused on the needs of the person who was subjected to harm rather than on punishment for the person who caused harm.

The actions that result from a disclosure or complaint will vary as responses are always guided by the individual circumstances and the survivors’ wishes. Regardless of where or when sexual violence took place, any person who discloses and/or makes a complaint of sexual violence can expect to be:

• treated with respect, dignity and compassion,
• informed about on- and off-campus resources and supports,
• provided with access to support which is non-judgmental, coordinated and comprehensive
• offered options for academic, recreational, University residence and/or workplace modifications to prevent further unwanted contact with the subject of the disclosure and ameliorate, to the extent possible, the negative impacts of the sexual violence on the person’s working, study or student residence environment,
• provided with information about available complaint processes should they wish to pursue a complaint within the University and/or to an external law enforcement agency, and
• offered safety planning assistance.

COMMUNITY SAFETY

It is important for students living in residence to feel safe and supported in order to fully participate in the academic environment.

Together, we can build a culture of safety and consent and improve how sexual violence is addressed within residence. Residence Services is committed to:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What can Residence Services do vs. the Dean of Students

In accordance with the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policy:

• Residence Services can move a survivor to a different room, floor or building at their request. Residence Services, at the direction of the Dean of Students, will move or remove a person who has committed sexual violence from residence.
• The Dean of Student’s office can arrange other modifications and interim measures that extend outside of the residence community into the rest of campus and university life.

What training do Residence Life staff receive?

All professional residence staff receive:

• First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse training
• Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policy training from the Office of the Dean of Students
• Ongoing training on topics such as family and intimate partner violence, trauma-informed care
• Foundations of Campus Sexual and Gender-Based Violence training

Additionally, all student staff receive training from the U of A’s Sexual Assault Centre on creating a culture of consent in their community, identifying sexual violence, receiving sexual violence disclosures and connecting survivors to campus and community supports they may choose to access.

Student staff also receive Supportive Conversation training and Mental Health Awareness training from a Community Social Worker on campus, which they apply to support students in residence in navigating the university support system.

Why is someone still in the community who may have committed sexual violence?

The result of a disclosure may not always be understood by others in the community because disclosures and resulting corrective actions are confidential. It is important for the community to understand that Residence Services works closely with survivors to implement appropriate measures that support the needs of the survivor and the safety of the community.
There are a few reasons a person who may have committed sexual violence remains in the community:

• The survivor requested that the person who caused harm not be removed
• No disclosure has been made to Residence Services (please recognize that it can be hard for survivors to come forward and share their experiences)
• Residence Services has not had a chance to hear from the survivor about what they need in order to participate in university life