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Confronting sexual misconduct – new UWinnipeg protocol

UWinnipeg releases updated, comprehensive sexual misconduct protocol

 WINNIPEG, MB – Following seven months of extensive consultations with students, and discussions with some faculty and community partners such as Klinic Community Health Centre, today The University of Winnipeg released a comprehensive sexual misconduct protocol. It includes a 24/7 Sexual Misconduct Response Team (SMRT) and incorporates best practices from across North America. The protocol focuses on creating a safe climate, including a plan for extensive education and awareness raising, and provides a broad range of supports for people involved. The protocol also states that the University will publicly report aggregate information of sexual misconduct, without any identifying information.

The protocol clearly defines sexual misconduct which encompasses a range of behaviours, including (1) sexual harassment, 2) stalking, and (3) the threat of sexual assault and sexual assault. It applies to all students, faculty and staff.

In conjunction with the release of the protocol, UWinnipeg is launching an awareness campaign across campus through 2015 based on Yes Means Yes, shifting the responsibility to affirmative consent.

The University will be delivering comprehensive training to staff and faculty to ensure that affected individuals receive needed supports.

The Sexual Misconduct Response Team is comprised of senior staff from Security, Counselling, Wellness and Student Life, Campus Living and Student Support Services. The protocol also creates the Advisory Committee on Sexual Misconduct, comprised of administrators, faculty and student representatives to continually assess the effectiveness of the protocol and to collect and analyze and report aggregate information on sexual misconduct.

“We are committed to ensuring there is a culture of respect and safety on campus that applies to everyone,” said Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg.“By establishing clear procedures for disclosing and accessing support, and through a comprehensive awareness program that will begin right with first year students during orientation, our ultimate goal is education and the prevention of sexual misconduct on campus.”

“This protocol provides training for appropriate faculty, staff and security guards in how to accommodate students disclosing sexual assault and harassment,” said Allison Reimer, University of Winnipeg Students’ Association, Vice-President Student Services. “These are often the first people students talk to, and the ability to handle these situations in a safe and respectful way in order to make students feel welcome to make their own choices is imperative.”

The new sexual misconduct protocol falls within UWinnipeg’s Respectful Working and Learning Environment Policy, which recognizes that every member of the University community has the right to participate, learn, work and live in an inclusive and respectful environment that promotes equal opportunities and prohibits discrimination and harassment.

It is the choice of the person who experienced sexual misconduct as to which on-campus or community services they want to access.

Frequently Asked Questions for Students re: Sexual Misconduct.

Access the Sexual Misconduct Protocol.

 

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MEDIA CONTACT

Diane Poulin, Senior Communications Specialist, The University of Winnipeg

P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca