Input invited on draft sexualized violence policy

January 30, 2017

Sexualized violence is unacceptable and prohibited at UVic. In its work to address sexualized violence as a significant and systemic societal and campus issue, the university is inviting comment on a draft policy to be released Feb. 6, which will apply to all campus members.

A diverse group of university students, faculty and staff has worked together over several months, consulting widely and conducting extensive research, to draft the Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Policy. The policy covers education and prevention, disclosures and reports, and response.

Advance notice of the draft policy’s release and opportunities to provide comment is being given to encourage campus members to review and comment on the document.

The policy will be available online Feb. 6 at uvic.ca/info/sexualizedviolencepolicy. Deadline for submissions is March 10.

Campus members will be able to provide input at open houses, by email or through an online form.

Two open houses with information boards are being held for different campus members, however anyone is welcome at either session.

For students: Wednesday, Feb. 8, 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union Building, Michele Pujol Room (lounge area)
For faculty, staff and librarians: Thursday, Feb. 9, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the MacLaurin Building D288 (classroom)

Also, comments can be emailed to svpadmin@uvic.ca or submitted anonymously through an online form, available Feb. 6 on the sexualized violence policy review website.

All feedback will be considered by UVic’s sexualized violence working group for the final draft. The working group will also consult with key stakeholder groups that were engaged during the first phase of consultations June to December 2016.

Procedures on how the policy will be implemented will be available for comment this spring. The final policy draft will go to President Jamie Cassels in April for recommendations to the Board of Governors in May.

For more about the review including the consultations and September interim report visit the website.