Humber releases Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures
College committed to providing a safe, supportive environment as well as ongoing education
TORONTO, March 26, 2015 /CNW/ - Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning has released its stand-alone Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures, as part of a province-wide framework on sexual assault developed by Colleges Ontario and supported by Ontario's 24 public colleges. Built on existing policies and practices, the policy and procedures solidify Humber's commitment to assisting those who have experienced or witnessed sexual violence by providing precise definitions of sexual assault and sexual violence, setting clear standards for reporting and responding to incidents, and establishing clear processes for complaints and investigations.
The Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Policy was developed after extensive consultation with a range of Humber stakeholders, including the Humber Students' Federation, the Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee, and Humber's senior leadership team, as well as other groups across the college community. The policy applies to all members of the Humber and university of Guelph-Humber community.
"The policy represents an institution-wide commitment to creating a culture where students feel safe reporting sexual violence, and we have had overwhelming support across the college," says Jen McMillen, Humber's dean of students. "While it's a policy in name, it really is a tool to change attitudes, behaviour and the wider culture around us."
Humber has formed a working group of staff, students and faculty to facilitate the implementation of the policy, including the provision of ongoing education. The college is also introducing a Bystander Intervention training program, which builds on the "Can I Kiss You" educational program that is mandatory for all first-year residence students and has been offered to all first-year students for the last three years.
"Students, staff and faculty alike have been eager to participate in this dialogue," said Corinna Fitzgerald, director of Student Life Programs and lead author of the policy. "The Humber community is ready to change the historical conversation about issues like consent and sexual violence."
Humber students support the new policy. "We are one step closer to building a campus where everyone feels comfortable and secure," says Delaney Cummings, a student in Humber's Public Relations postgraduate program and the PR/administrative assistant for the college's Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee. "It is exciting to see a diverse and gender-inclusive approach taken towards this policy."
For more information on Humber's Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures, go to http://www.humber.ca/student-life/sexual-assault/.
About Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Established in 1967, Humber is one of Canada's leading postsecondary institutions. Committed to student success through excellence in teaching and learning, Humber serves 27,000 full-time students and 56,000 continuing education registrants. With an internationally recognized reputation for quality learning, Humber offers a wide-range of career-focused opportunities for students to personalize their educational path, including 150 full-time programs across more than 40 fields of study, 200 part-time and 400 online programs or courses. More than four out of five of Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies. Visit humber.ca.
SOURCE Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
For further information: For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact: Andrew Leopold, Director of Communications, 416.675.6622 ext. 4296, [email protected]
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