Reporting sexual violence

SEXUAL ASSAULT: Unwanted touching, kissing, oral or penetrative sexual acts.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Any non-consensual conduct, comment, gesture, or contact of a sexual nature. This includes comments on one’s body.

STEALTHING: Removing a condom during a sexual act without the knowledge or consent of your partner.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE: Physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, economic, or technological abuse or threats of abuse against one’s partner and/or children.

TRANSPHOBIA AND HOMOPHOBIA: The irrational hatred and fear of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Homophobia includes prejudice, discrimination, harassment, and acts of violence brought on by fear and hatred.

STALKING: A pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.

SEXTORTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF PHOTOS: When an online predator tricks someone into giving them nude images or videos and then demands money, more images, or makes other demands. Sharing intimate photos of others without their knowledge or consent.

INDECENT EXPOSURE: Intentional exposure of one’s body to others without their consent.

DENIAL OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Denying someone the ability to access reproductive care such as birth control, emergency contraceptives, or an abortion OR forcing someone to take emergency contraceptives or to have an abortion.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Specifically sex trafficking, the act of illegally transporting people from one country, province, or city to another for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

The Sexualized Violence Policy executive summary (PDF) outlines key points within the updated policy.

The Disclosure Flow Chart (PDF) is a step-by-step guide to help you decide the appropriate actions for making a disclosure. For complete information, refer to the detailed Sexualized Violence Procedures listed below.

A one-page reference guide (PDF) provides clear steps for supporting survivors, along with details on available resources and immediate support options.

Sexualized Violence Procedures (PDF)

Mount Allison has partnered with REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors) to provide secure, online reporting for sexual violence on campus. REES can be accessed online anywhere, anytime.

REES allows members of the Mount Allison campus community who have experienced sexual misconduct, harassment, or assault to 'Create a Record' of the incident and choose from multiple reporting options. The record is encrypted and securely stored in REES.

1. What can I report in REES?

• REES can be used to report any unwanted sexualized behaviour (physical, verbal, or online) that happens within the campus community.

2. Where can I access REES?

• Go to https://reescommunity.com/campus/ and select 'Mount Allison University' from the drop-down list.

3. What happens once I've created a record of the incident in REES?

• Once you 'Create a Record', you can choose from multiple reporting options OR save your record and decide later. Reporting is not mandatory.
• Only you can access your record until you choose if and when to share it. Your record is encrypted and securely stored in REES. Records stored in REES cannot be accessed by REES or Mount Allison.
• REES also provides information about campus and community-based resources such as sexual assault centres, healthcare, and support services.

4. What are the reporting options in REES?

Anonymous Report

• An 'Anonymous Report' allows an individual to share information about an incident of sexual harassment, misconduct, or assault without identifying themselves or identifying the person who has harmed them.
• Anonymous reports will include only the multiple-choice questions and gender questions from your record. 'Anonymous Report' data will be provided by REES to Mount Allison to measure the incidence and identify patterns of sexual violence on campus, with the goal of improving policy, supports, or responses to sexual violence on campus.
• Because an 'Anonymous Report' does not include any identifying information about the persons involved, it cannot initiate an investigation, and Mount Allison does not have the ability to follow up with you directly.

Connect to My Campus

• 'Connect to My Campus' allows you to reach out to Mount Allison's Sexual Violence Consultant. You can receive support, resources, and information, or discuss the formal complaint process.
• There is no time limit to 'Connect to My Campus'.

Repeat Perpetrator Identification (RPI)

• 'Repeat Perpetrator Identification (RPI)' is a feature of REES that helps to identify a person whose behaviour has harmed multiple people.
• You provide identifying information about the person that is stored in a database. If more than one individual identifies the same person has harmed them, a match is made and Mount Allison is notified.

Mount Allison's Sexualized Violence Consultant, will work collaboratively with you to explore the supports, resources, and accommodations you may need.

Contact: svcomplaint@mta.ca.

Help and resources provided by the SVR Consultant includes:

• Explaining official complaints pathways and processes
• Helping you navigate the Sexual Violence Policy
• Helping you navigate systems and resources within the University
• Connecting you to external resources and supports
• Coordinating academic, housing, and other accommodations
• Connecting and accompaniment to legal, housing or health services
• Providing safety planning
• Referring you to counselling, health services, and legal support
• Coordinating accessibility needs such as translation, interpretation, assistive technology, and cultural needs

In addition to informing you of resources on campus, they're required to connect you to care.

They will:

• Connect you with Mount Allison's Sexualized Violence Consultant
• Show you how to submit a REES disclosure

The University strives to be a trauma-informed, survivor-centered community in which we work collaboratively to connect survivors to resources and support.

All community members, including contract employees, visitors, volunteers and guests have access to sexualized violence prevention training to promote a community of care as well as safe working, learning, and living environments.

To learn more, visit Section 1.3 of the Sexualized Violence Policy.

a. If an individual submitted a 'Connect to My Campus' via REES, their REES disclosure will go directly to the SVR Consultant. This file is encrypted and password protected.

b. The SVR Consultant will contact the individual via email to offer an in-person or online appointment.

c. During the appointment(s), the SVR Consultant will review the supports and resources that may be available. They will also provide an overview of the complaint pathways.

d. Internal supports and resources may include but are not limited to counselling, safety planning, academic accommodation, housing accommodations (for students in residence), and medical services.

e. External supports and resources may include but are not limited to external counselling, forensic nurse examiner services, sexual assault centres/support lines, transition houses/domestic violence shelters, law enforcement, and the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission.

f. Subject to the considerations in (i) below, if the individual has been provided with the appropriate supports and resources, their immediate needs are met, and they do not want to file a complaint, the process can stop here.

g. If the individual’s immediate needs are met and they do want to file a complaint, the process proceeds to Section 2 Complaints Process. This also applies to individuals who have previously chosen not to proceed.

h. If the individual chooses not to file a complaint, they will be offered the option of receiving follow-ups and check-ins with the SVR Consultant.

i. The University may choose to take measures even when a survivor chooses not to file a complaint. Examples of such circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Where there is a risk of safety to the survivor or another person on campus.
• Where there is a legal requirement.
• Where there is evidence of sexualized violence in the public realm. For example, a video, image, or narrative posted on social media.

a. The complainant will complete the Sexualized Violence Complaint Form.

b. The Complaint Form will then be submitted to the SVR Consultant.

c. The complainant will receive a receipt response, via email or in person, as soon as possible but no later than three (3) business days after filing the Complaint Form. A receipt response is confirmation that the complaint has been received only.

d. The SVR Consultant will notify the Director of Student Experience, or their designate, if the respondent is a student, by forwarding a copy of the Complaint Form as soon as possible but no later than three (3) business days after issuing a complaint receipt response.

e. If not done previously, the SVR Consultant will meet with the complainant to review the complaint and provide an overview of the process as soon as possible but no later than ten (10) business days of sending the receipt response.

f. The Director of Student Experience, or their designate, will meet with the respondent to review the complaint and provide an overview of the respondent process as soon as possible but no later than ten (10) business days after being notified. They will provide the respondent with the Respondent Information Form, which the respondent will complete and return to them within five (5) business days. The form will then be shared with the SVR Consultant.

g. Parties may be accompanied by a support person. The support person may be a student, a MASU representative (e.g. Ombudsperson), a faculty member, a staff member, or another member of the Mount Allison community. The support person is only to be involved in a support capacity. It is a person who was not involved in the incident and does not have a conflict of interest. Any support person or representative involved must complete an Undertaking of Confidentiality before the party participates in the process and is privy to the complaint.

h. Where there is an unreasonable delay by a complainant, respondent, or support person, this procedure may continue in their absence.

i. The SVR Consultant may initiate accommodation and support during the process before any decision making takes place. This may require the SVR Consultant to share information and consult with appropriate staff. Any information shared will be kept to the minimum amount necessary to facilitate accommodation and support. Accommodation and support will not be disciplinary in nature and may be temporary.

j. The Director of Student Experience will consider the information gathered and may implement immediate measures. Decisions will normally be made within 5 business days of receiving the respondent form. Reasonable delays will be communicated to the parties involved. Upon making the decision, the SVR Consultant will be advised of the decision and of the rational for the decision. The
SVR Consultant will share with the complainant. The Director will share the same information with the respondent.

k. Under the SVR Consultant’s guidance, restorative justice measures may be taken. Any restorative justice approach would be led by qualified individuals who could be internal or external to Mount Allison University. The purpose of any meeting(s) held would be to identify mutually agreed upon outcomes for all parties.

l. A document will be signed by all parties to acknowledge that they have agreed to the outcomes.

m. The SVR Consultant will continue to support the complainant and will bring forward any issues with compliance or support to the Director of Student Experience

n. Non-compliance with implemented measures may lead to investigation, remedial action or discipline.

a. The complainant will complete the Sexualized Violence Complaint Form.

b. The Complaint Form will then be submitted to the SVR Consultant.

c. The Complainant will receive a receipt response, via email or in person, as soon as possible but no later than three (3) business days after filing the Complaint Form. A receipt response is confirmation that the complaint has been received only.

d. The SVR Consultant will meet with the complainant and provide an overview of the process as soon as possible but no later than ten (10) business days from sending the receipt response.

e. In exceptional circumstances, the SVR Consultant may complete the Sexualized Violence Complaint Form to initiate an investigation.

f. The SVR Consultant will notify the Vice President of International and Student Affairs, or their designate, by forwarding a copy of the complaint and respondent form as soon as possible but no later than within three (3) business days after issuing a complaint receipt response.

g. The Vice President of International and Student Affairs or their designate, will meet with the respondent to review the complaint and provide an overview of the process as soon as possible but not later than ten (10) business days after being informed of the complaint by the SVR Consultant.

h. The respondent will be provided with the Respondent Information Form, which the respondent will complete and return to the VPISA, or designate, within five (5) business days. The VPISA, or designate, will then forward the form to the SVR Consultant within three (3) business days.

i. Parties may be accompanied by a support person. Any support person or representative involved must complete an Undertaking of Confidentiality, which must be returned before participating in the process.

j. Unreasonable delays (as determined by the SVR Consultant, Director of Student Experience or VPISA, or their designate(s), as applicable in accordance with the principles of the Sexualized Violence Policy), will not result in a delay in this process. Where there is an unreasonable delay by a party or their support person, this procedure may continue in their absence.

k. After the respondent has provided a response to the complaint or the time has expired for doing so, the university may take appropriate action without appointing an investigator.

l. Investigations are to be fair, expedient and comprehensive.

m. The investigator will prepare and submit to the university a report of their investigation, findings, and determination of whether there was a breach of the Sexualized Violence Policy.

n. A summary of the investigator’s report will be shared with the complainant and respondent. The full report will not be disclosed to the complainant or respondent for any reason unless required by law.

o. Upon receipt of the investigator’s report, the appropriate university official will meet with all parties individually as soon as possible but no later than within five (5) business days.

p. After disclosing the summary of findings, the university will make an investigation decision, determining the appropriate action that will be taken, if any.

q. The University will communicate the investigation decision, reasons for the investigation decision and any applicable sanctions in writing.

r. When there is involvement of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in an investigation, disciplinary measures may be deferred until the RCMP have concluded their investigation. The SVR Consultant can initiate accommodation and support for the complainant.

Submitting an appeal

a. Complainants and respondents have the right to appeal a decision and will be provided with appeal information with an investigation decision.

b. Decisions and any disciplinary or remedial measures may be appealed by the respondent or the complainant within fifteen (15) business days of a decision being communicated.

c. Non-investigative appeals are made to the VPISA in writing.

d. Investigative appeals are made in writing to the Sexualized Violence Appeals Committee at svappeals@mta.ca.

e. Appeals will only be considered on the following grounds:

• A significant error occurred where procedures were not followed correctly.
• There is clear evidence of a significant conflict of interest on the part of a decision-maker.
• There is significant new evidence that was not available at the time of the decision, which has the potential to change the outcome of the complaint.

f. Disagreement with the Investigation Decision and/or measures does not constitute
a basis for appeal.

Questions? Contact Jade Lister, Mount Allison's Sexualized Violence Consultant, at svcomplaints@mta.ca.

Sexualized Violence Appeals Committee membership

a. The Sexualized Violence Appeals Committee will have three members and a Chair serving up to 2-year terms. Panel members are faculty or staff members and must have full-time, tenure-track/tenure, or continuing full-time status and be willing to be trained on adjudication. Where possible, the Chair of the SVA Committee will be a staff or faculty member working outside of Student Affairs, with training in adjudication.

a. Rules and procedures respecting appeals in this procedure supersede those generally applicable to appeals under other policies or codes.

b. Upon review of an appeal submission, the VPISA or Chair of the SVA Committee determines if there is reason for the appeal.

c. If allowed, in general, appeals will be heard in writing and an oral hearing will proceed only in exceptional circumstances.

d. The SVA Committee will receive copies of the complaints, from the VPISA, with identifying information of the parties removed.

e. Any member of the SVP Committee who believes that their involvement in an appeals process would be considered a conflict of interest are to remove themselves from that process.

f. Within fifteen (15) business days after receiving an appeal, and upon confirmation by the VPISA or Chair that it is admissible, the VPISA or SVA Committee will review the appeal and inform the complainant and respondent in writing of the decision taken.