Getting Help

Respect, Diversity & Inclusion: Student Complaint Process

Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy

The University aspires to achieve an environment free of prohibited discrimination and harassment and to ensure respect for the core values of freedom of speech, academic freedom and freedom of research, as per its Statement on Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment

1. Issue(s) Identification

Raise your concern or complaint with the individual(s) who you believe engaged in discrimination/ harassment (if possible).

2. Consult/Refer

If a resolution is not achieved at the individual level, discuss your concern with your Office of Student Engagement Assistant Director/ Program Services Associate Director. You will be referred as appropriate. Alternatively, you may directly contact any resources listed.

3. Initiating a Formal Complaint

If the issue still remains unresolved, you have the option to file a formal complaint. Please contact Rotman’s EDI Office for consultation. If, however, you prefer to go directly to a university resource, please approach any of the resources listed.

4. Fact-Finding & Resolution

Once a formal complaint has been initiated, an equity officer/investigator, in consultation with university guidance, will ascertain whether an investigation is warranted. Next steps on the fact-finding and its resolution will be communicated directly to you.

Campus Resources

Rotman Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office

Darrell Bowden, Director: edio@rotman.utoronto.ca

Ruth White, Project Advisor: ruth.white@rotman.utoronto.ca

Theresa Young, Coordinator: theresa.young@rotman.utoronto.ca

University of Toronto

AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) Office: 416.978.7236 – aoda@utoronto.ca

Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office: 416.978.1259 – antiracism@utoronto.ca

Community Safety Office: 416.978.1485 – community.safety@utoronto.ca

Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre: 416.978.2266 – svpscentre@utoronto.ca

Sexual & Gender Diversity Office: 416.946.5624 – sgdo@utoronto.ca

Sexual Violence: Prevention and Support

What is Sexual Violence?

As defined by the University’s Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, sexual violence is “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”.

Some examples of sexual violence can include inappropriate and unwelcome physical contact of a sexual nature, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual assault (including assault by a partner or marital partner), stalking, indecent exposure, degrading sexual imagery, voyeurism, cyber sexual harassment, and stealthing.

What is Consent?

Consent is defined in the University’s Policy as “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”.

Giving Support

Under the Policy, any person who receives a disclosure of an incident of sexual violence from a member of the University community should refer the person who made the disclosure to the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre.

You can also consult with Equity, Diversity and Inclusion office at Rotman on how to respond in a supportive manner.

If someone discloses that they were recently sexually assaulted

Encourage them to get medical attention at a local Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre. Care Centers offer medical assistance along with emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning, referrals, and short-term counselling.
For forensic evidence collection, they should visit a Care Centre within 72 hours if possible, although some evidence may be collected up to 12 days after an assault. Ideally, they should refrain from changing their clothes or showering before the exam to preserve evidence. An exam does not trigger an automatic report. The person can choose what type of evidence is collected and whether to report the incident to police.

If someone discloses that they have experienced stalking or harassment

Suggest that they write down the details of the incident(s), to the degree they are comfortable doing so.
Details could include dates, times, and locations, along with specifics about what happened, witnesses, copies of emails and texts, phone logs and other details that could be used as evidence should they wish to report now or later.

If someone wishes to report the incident to the police or University

To report to the police: The Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre and/or Campus Police can help facilitate a report to the appropriate police agency, or the person can go directly to police if they prefer.
To report to the Rotman School of Management: Connect the individual to the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office at Rotman.
To report to the University of Toronto: Connect the individual to the Sexual Violence & Prevention Support Centre, where they can learn more about the reporting process and make a report to the University.
Assist them in making the call and/or offer to accompany the person to where they need to go.

Getting Support

If you are in crisis or immediate danger, call 911.

If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted

Go to a safe space: somewhere you can feel safe and comfortable, like your own home, a friend’s place or with family. You can also go to the hospital or a shelter, or contact the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre for support. You may also want to consider contacting the municipal police.

Get medical attention: even if you do not see or feel any injuries, it is important to get medical attention. Specialized care is available at local Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centres.

Care Centres can also collect forensic evidence. Evidence collection will not initiate a report to police or the University. For evidence collection:

– It is best to visit a Care Centre within 72 hours.

– Try to refrain from changing or taking a shower to preserve evidence.

It may still be possible to collect some evidence even if more than 72 hours have passed or you have showered and changed.

For all Types of Sexual Violence

Consider seeking support from someone you trust such as a friend, co-worker or family member. The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion office at Rotman and the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre are available for you.

You may want both short- and longer-term support. Some people find therapy helpful. Others choose to connect to their faith community or to other cultural resources. We can help you find the right people to support your own healing.