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Policy Terms and Definitions
These key terms are used throughout this website and within U of T’s Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence.
When this guide refers to the “Policy” and “sexual violence policy”, it is referring to the Policy on Sexual Violence & Sexual Harassment.
Affiliated Site
A hospital or research institution with which the University has an affiliation agreement that explicitly commits both the University and the other institution to following the Protocol on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Complaints involving Faculty Members and Students of the University of Toronto arising in Independent Research institutions, Health Care Institutions and Teaching Agencies for determining the jurisdiction and process with respect to sexual violence and/or harassment complaints arising at the Affiliated Site involving a Member of the University Community.
Centre
The University of Toronto Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre.
Complainant
A Member of the University Community who has made a Disclosure or Report of an Incident of Sexual Violence experienced by that individual.
Consent
The voluntary agreement of an individual to engage in a sexual act. Consent is positive, active and ongoing, and can be revoked at any time. Consenting to one kind of sexual act does not mean that consent is given for another sexual act or kind of activity. Consent is NOT obtained where a person is incapable of consenting – for example due to intoxication, or where a person is induced to engage in the activity by someone abusing a position of trust, power or authority. As per the Criminal Code of Canada, it is not a defence to an allegation of Sexual Violence that the Respondent believed that the Complainant consented to the activity that forms the subject matter of the complaint, where (a) the Respondent’s belief arose from the Respondent’s (i) self-induced intoxication; or(ii) recklessness or willful blindness; or (b) the Respondent did not take reasonable steps, in the circumstances known to the accused at the time, to ascertain that the Complainant was consenting.
Disclosure
The sharing of information by an individual with a Member of the University Community regarding an Incident of Sexual Violence experienced by that individual.
Gender-based Harassment
Includes but is not limited to engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct related to a person’s sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.
Incidence of Sexual Violence
Includes any instance of Sexual Violence, including Sexual Harassment and all associated definitions provided herein.
Members of the University Community
Includes students, learners, faculty members, librarians, post-doctoral fellows, postgraduate medical residents, clinical fellows, and all employees of the University of Toronto. For clarity, the term “faculty members” incorporates all types of faculty members including clinical, adjunct, status-only, retired, and visiting faculty.
Non-Adjudicative Resolution
As described in section F of the Policy, this term refers to a resolution of the matters alleged in a Report that is agreed to by both the Complainant and the Respondent.
Reporting
The sharing of information by an individual with the Centre or Campus Safety regarding an Incident of Sexual Violence experienced by that individual, with the intention of initiating one of the processes set out in this Policy, which could result in disciplinary action being taken against the Member of the University Community alleged to have committed Sexual Violence. A Report from a Complainant containing information regarding an Incident of Sexual Violence initiates the Reporting process.
Respondent
Someone against whom an allegation of Sexual Violence has been made.
Sexual Assault
Any form of sexual contact without a person’s consent, including the threat of sexual contact without consent. A Sexual Assault can range from unwanted sexual touching to forced sexual intercourse; and a Sexual Assault can involve situations where sexual activity is obtained by someone abusing a position of trust, power or authority.
Sexual Harassment
Includes but is not limited to engaging in a course of vexatious comments or conduct that is known or ought to be known to be unwelcome. For the purpose of this Policy, Sexual Harassment includes workplace sexual harassment. Sexual Harassment includes any sexual solicitation or advance made by a person in a position to confer, grant or deny a benefit or advancement to the person where the person making the solicitation or advance knows or ought reasonably to know that it is unwelcome. Sexual harassment also includes a reprisal or a threat of reprisal for the rejection of a sexual solicitation or advance, where the reprisal is made or threatened by a person in a position to confer, grant or deny a benefit or advancement to the person. For the purpose of this Policy, Sexual Harassment includes Cyber Sexual Harassment. Cyber Sexual Harassment includes but is not limited to Sexual Harassment conducted in whole or in part through electronic means, such as email, web postings, text messaging, and other forms of electronic behaviour.
Sexual Violence
Any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, Gender Identity or Gender Expression, whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person’s Consent, and includes Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism, Gender-based Harassment or Gender-based Violence,and sexual exploitation. Sexual Violence can occur in any format including in writing, in person, by voice, and/or through the use of technology (“Tech-facilitated Sexual Violence”).
Support for members of the U of T community who have been affected by sexual violence
SVPS Centre
Email: svpscentre@utoronto.ca
Phone: 416-978-2266
(All locations – leave a voicemail and we will call you back)
The Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre (SVPS Centre) is here to help. We support students, staff and faculty with confidential, non-judgmental, client-centered services.
We accept Disclosures and/or Reports from Complainants, make referrals to counselling and other resources, and help everyone at the University understand the Policy.