McGill is deeply committed to ensuring our campuses are safe, respectful, and inclusive and this includes striving to be a University free from acts of sexual violence. This is one of the most difficult and important topics for all universities. Effectively addressing sexual violence requires many approaches, some of which are about education, outreach and training, some are oriented toward a culture shift, and some must focus on having strong policies in place.
McGill’s Policy against Sexual Violence was adopted unanimously in 2016 by Senate and the Board of Governors. Through it, McGill explicitly denounces sexual violence in all forms. It further commits to providing robust support to survivors, notably through our Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support, & Education (OSVRSE).
This Policy is now undergoing a review so that it will be even stronger. Since October, a working group composed of faculty, students and staff has met to develop revisions to the Policy. This has been a robust, thoughtful, and collaborative process.
Thanks to the diligent efforts of this working group, a revised version of the Policy is ready to be shared with the McGill community for feedback. Please take some time to read the revised Policy and provide your views at this site(feedback may be provided anonymously). Your comments will inform further amendments to the Policy before it is presented to Senate in February for discussion, and then in March for approval.
The following are some of the key changes you will see in the revised Policy:
- Ban on Romantic/Sexual Relationships between Teaching Staff and Their Students
The revised Policy would ban sexual and romantic relationships between teaching staff and students under their academic influence or authority (e.g., as an instructor, supervisor, examiner, thesis committee member, or advisor). In addition, romantic and sexual relationships between teaching staff and students within the same Faculty must be disclosed immediately by the teaching staff member in accordance with the Regulation on Conflict of Interest to ensure that the interests of students are protected.
- Central Reporting Site – Special Investigator
The new Policy requires all reports of sexual violence to be investigated by a Special Investigator who must be: independent, impartial, and a trained expert in trauma-informed investigations and procedural fairness.
Our Special Investigator, Caroline Lemay, was appointed in September and is reachable at: mcgill.si@omega-ombs.ca. McGill is unique in Quebec in having appointed such an expert to investigate reports of sexual violence.
- Clear Procedures and Standalone Policy
The revised Policy will now be accompanied by a set of clear and detailed procedures that outline the steps followed in an investigation. These procedures also set precise and strict timelines.
- Mandatory Education and Training
The revised Policy requires all members of the University community to receive training on sexual violence and our shared role in preventing it. Online education modules will be rolled out this calendar year, beginning with students, then academic staff, followed by administrative and support staff. This web-based training will be complemented by ongoing in-person training offered across our campuses throughout the year.
- Protecting Survivors and Facilitating Disclosures
The revised Policy is now clear that no one will be disciplined for revealing, when disclosing or reporting an incident of sexual violence, use of alcohol or cannabis in a way that violates a University rule. The Policy also explicitly directs us all to reject myths and stereotypes about sexual violence, for example, that a person can give or imply consent to sexual activity by how they are dressed or by being intoxicated.
Moving Forward
Revisions to the Policy against Sexual Violence will be presented to Senate in the coming weeks. These revisions will reflect a strong, collaborative review process that includes stakeholders from across McGill’s community. Having said this, it is well understood that the adoption of our revised Policy does not mark the end of our work. Rather, sexual violence prevention and response requires ongoing attention and action. Our commitment in that regard is clear and steadfast.
Hello I’m glad to see that progress has been made in developing these policies. And I agree with the need to protect all parties as some people may be in a vulnerable situation. However, I have some questions, mainly about how these policies will be put into practice. – How will the need to provide protection to individuals be balanced with individuals’ right to privacy? Wasn’t it Pierre Trudeau who said “There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation”? Will the University need some sort of “relationship police” to check up on suspected banned relationships? This… Read more »
Dear David,
I’d be pleased to speak to address your questions. Please do not hesitate to reach out to set a time to discuss.
Angela
Hello, I did not read the policy carefully enough previously. Teaching staff would include teaching assistants. This begs the question of what would happen if a teaching assistant is assigned a class that includes their romantic partner. Would the teaching assistants have to declare relationships with other students prior to applying for TA positions? Has this been discussed with the TA unions?