Community members invited to provide feedback on university’s Sexual Violence Policy

At Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), the safety and well-being of our community members is a top priority. Sexual violence is a serious problem that needs attention and intervention – not only in the ways we respond, but how we work to prevent it throughout society and within institutions. We are committed to fostering a culture of consent and building safe and secure university environments that are free of sexual violence and harassment of any kind.

The university’s Sexual Violence Policy reflects our collective commitment to addressing all forms of sexual violence in our community and promoting a culture of consent. This month, TMU will begin its review of the Sexual Violence Policy. This is part of a regular review process required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. The review will help maintain our commitment to excellence and fairness of process, and will ensure that the policy continues to reflect an institutional commitment to addressing sexual violence and promoting a culture of consent in a trauma-informed way. 

Creating a safe, inclusive, respectful and violence-free environment is our collective responsibility. We invite TMU students, faculty, contract lecturers and staff to participate in consultations starting on October 10. Feedback sessions with administrators of the policy, subject-matter experts, faculty, contract lecturer and staff unions, student unions and other stakeholders will also take place.

Complete the online survey by November 2

We invite you to complete the online survey between October 10 and November 2.

There will be an opportunity to complete a second online survey to provide feedback on draft policy revisions in January 2024.

Sign up for town hall consultations on October 24

For students

Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Time: 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. 
Open to: All students
Register now

For faculty, contract lecturers and staff

Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Time: 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. 
Open to: All faculty, contract lecturers and staff 
Register now

If you are unable to attend or have questions

If you are unable to attend but would like to provide feedback, or if you have any questions about the consultations, please email SVPreview@torontomu.ca. 

For more information about the SVP review process, you can visit the Sexual Violence Policy Review website.

Support is available

Participating in conversations about sexual violence may bring up difficult feelings. If you need support, please reach out. 

• Students can learn more about services available to them through Consent Comes First, the Centre for Student Development and Counselling and/or the Centre for Safer Sex and Sexual Violence Support.
• Faculty and staff impacted by sexual or gender-based violence can reach out to Workplace Wellbeing Services or access the employee assistance program for resources and counselling. 

TMU community members (students, faculty and staff) who would like report an incident of sexual violence or learn about the options available can contact Human Rights Services at humanrights@torontomu.ca or 416-979-5349.
 

Tanya De Mello, Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion
Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost and Vice-President, Academic
Saeed Zolfaghari, Vice-President, Administration and Operations