Disclosing and/or filing a complaint
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, there are options available for you to disclose and/or file a complaint.
If you choose to disclose and/or file a complaint, you will have access to a range of options and can choose to engage in any, all, or none of them. Guidance and support is available every step of the way.
What is a disclosure?
Disclosing simply means telling someone what happened. Survivors disclose for a variety of reasons.
All survivors are entitled to Support, Resources, and Accommodations (S/R/A), whether or not they decide to file an official complaint.
What is a complaint?
A formal account of an incident(s) of sexualized violence for the purpose of initiating Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures on campus in an official capacity.
Filing a complaint is voluntary, and is not required to access support.
How to make a disclosure
If you have experienced sexual misconduct, harassment, or assault, there are multiple options on how you can make a disclosure. When a disclosure of sexual violence is made, the safety, security, and well-being of the survivor are fundamental considerations. All disclosures are confidential.
Option 1: Disclose through REES
You can disclose through REES, Mount Allison's 24/7 online reporting platform.
REES will connect you directly to Jade Lister, Mount Allison's Sexual Violence Response, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant (SVREDIC). REES will send them an encrypted, password-protected file that only they can access.
If you are not comfortable with REES, you can make an appointment with Jade Lister by emailing jlister@mta.ca.
About the REES online sexual violence reporting tool
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, Jade Lister. 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.
About our Sexual Violence Response, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant
Jade Lister, Mount Allison's Sexual Violence Response, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant (SVREDIC), will work collaboratively with you to explore the supports, resources, and accommodations you may need.
This 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
You can connect with them directly at jlister@mta.ca.
Option 2: Disclose to your residence/student leader
If you're living in residence, you can disclose to a residence/student leader without telling them any details. This can be as simple as, "I need a disclosure connection."
How your residence/student leaders can help
In addition to informing your of resources on campus, they're required to connect you to care. They will:
- Connect you to Jade Lister, Mount Allison's Sexual Violence Response, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant
- Show you how to submit a REES disclosure
Option 3: Disclose to a staff member
Students may also begin the disclosure process with these Connect-to-Care staff members, who will connect you directly with Jade Lister (SVREDIC).
List of Connect-to-Care staff members
- Indigenous Affairs Coordinator: Patricia Musgrave, pmusgrave@mta.ca
- Spiritual Care Coordinator: Rev. Ellie Humel, ehummel@mta.ca
- International Student Advisor (international students): Christa Maston, cmaston@mta.ca
- International Affairs Coordinator (exchange students, visiting international students, MASSIE students): Robin Walker, rwalker@mta.ca
Campus security is also available 24/7 as a resources hub. Students, staff, and faculty can call for information about support and crisis lines: (506) 364-2228.
I disclosed, now what?
Jade Lister (SVREDIC) will contact you via email to offer an in-person or online appointment.
Steps after disclosure
- Whether you submitted a disclosure via REES, through a disclosure connection in residence, through a direct email to the Sexual Violence Response, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant, or through a Connect-to-Care staff person, Jade Lister will contact you via email to offer an in-person or online appointment. You're welcome to bring a support person to all meetings. Please note that Jade is not available 24/7 and will normally answer emails during business hours.
- During your appointment(s), Jade will review all available supports, resources, and accommodations available to you. They'll also provide you with an overview of the formal complaint pathways.
What kinds of internal (Mount Allison) support, resources, and accommodations (S/R/A) are there? Counselling, safety planning, academic accommodations, housing accommodations (for students in residence), medical services, harm reduction, sexual violence prevention and education
What kind of external S/R/A are there? External counselling, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), sexual assault centers/support lines, transition houses/domestic violence shelters, report to police, New Brunswick Human Rights Commission
- If your immediate needs are met, you've been connected to the appropriate S/R/A, and you would not like to file a further complaint, you can stop here. You'll be offered follow ups and check ins. If not, go to Step 4.
- If your immediate needs are met but you do want to file a complaint, proceed to the complaints process.
How to file a complaint
If you wish to file a complaint, you have two options: non-investigative or investigative.
No matter which complaint process you choose, Jade Lister (SVREDIC) can help support you through the entire process, including filling out forms. All complaints are submitted to the Vice-President, International and Student Affairs (VPISA).
Option 1: Non-investigative complaint
Complainant (person filing the complaint) can request specific remedial or disciplinary measures without an investigation.
Full details on non-investigative complaint
STEP 1: Complainant (person filing the complaint) completes a Sexualized Violence Complaint Form
- The complaint form is then submitted to the Vice President International and Student Affairs (VPISA)
- The complaint form may be submitted to VPISA for student by Jade Lister
STEP 2: Complainant will receive a receipt response within 3-5 business days
- Unless extenuating circumstances arise
- A receipt response is confirmation that the complaint has been received only
STEP 3: VPISA contacts and meets with respondent to review the complaint
- VPISA provides an overview of the process within 10-12 business days of sending the read receipt unless extenuating circumstances arise
- The complainant may choose to meet with the VPISA, but is not required to do so
STEP 4: Respondent will complete a Respondent Information Form and return it to the VPISA
- VPISA may impose immediate measures during the process before any decision-making takes place
- Immediate measures may include, but are not limited to: no/limited contact order, trespass or restricted access order, removal from campus or residence, suspension, exclusion from social, athletic or other extra-curricular activities, limiting access to services or facilities, or other safety measures
If the complainant and respondent are able to reach a resolution: the agreement is documented and signed by both parties.
- Accountability/remedial/disciplinary measures are delegated to the appropriate departments.
- Monitor for compliance/implementation.
- If there is a failure to implement or comply the VPISA (or appropriate department) may:
- Impose disciplinary or remedial action on the respondent
- Initiate an investigation
If the complainant and respondent are not able to reach a resolution:
- VPISA may make a determination regarding outcome and impose it on the respondent. If they continue to fail to comply, the VPISA may impose disciplinary action
- VPISA may initiate an investigation
Option 2: Investigative complaint
Complaintant (person filing the complaint) requests "fact finding" or investigation, normally requiring an external investigator.
Full details on investigative complaint
STEP 1: Complainant (person filing the complaint) completes a Sexualized Violence Complaint Form.
- The complaint form is submitted to the Vice-President, International and Student Affairs (VPISA)
- The complainant will receive a receipt response within 3-5 business days, unless extenuating circumstances arise
- A receipt response is confirmation that the complaint has been received only
STEP 2: VPISA contacts and meets with respondent to review the complaint
- VPISA provides an overview of the process within 10-12 business days of sending the read receipt unless extenuating circumstances arise.
- The complainant may choose to meet with the VPISA, but is not required to do so.
STEP 3: Respondent completes Respondent Information Form and returns it to VPISA
VPISA may recommend an alternative outcome. If survivor accepts an alternative outcome the complaint becomes non-investigative.
STEP 4: VPISA appoints investigator (internal or external)
- VPISA may also make a determination on the complaint without appointing an investigator
- Investigator conducts fact finding. Every effort will be made to conduct an expedient and comprehensive investigation; however, the timeline of an investigation is dependent on a variety of factors, including the availability of the parties or witnesses
- Investigator compiles information into a report
- Report is submitted to VPISA who reviews and determines if there was a policy breach
STEP 5: VPISA determines accountability/remedy/sanction
- Decision/action communicated to complainant/respondent. A summary report is shared with both parties
- Implementation/compliance delegated to appropriate departments
- Monitor for implementation/compliance
- If there is a failure to implement/comply: VPISA may impose further or escalating disciplinary measures
Outcomes
Outcomes may be requested in a complaint but will ultimately be determined by the VPISA.
Possible outcomes
Outcomes include, but are not limited to:
- Survivor impact statement
- Apology process
- Facilitated discussion
- Education sessions
- Counselling
- No contact/limited contact order
- Change in living arrangements
- Probationary measures
- Verbal warning
- Letter of reprimand
- Restrictions related to accessing buildings or parts of campus or certain activities
- Removal from academic classes, labs, or tutorials
- Removal from non-academic groups
- No trespass/restricted access orders
- Limited access to services or facilities
- Removal from social, athletic, or other extra-curricular activities
- Eviction from residence or University-owned housing
- Suspension from the University for a specified period
- Expulsion from the University permanently
Roles and responsibilities for University community
Members of the University community are encouraged to complete the Seeds for Change: Bystander Skills that Transform Cultures of Sexual Violence training, provided by Sexual Violence New Brunswick, so they can take the role of active bystander by:
- speaking up or intervening if they deem it safe to do so
- calling for help (Police — 911, Campus Security — 364-2228, other safety and security resources)
- reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence to the University through our secure REES online sexual violence reporting tool or in-person with the Sexual Violence Response Consultant