Campus Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Offices, Part 2/4: Western Canada & Territories
Written by: Rebecca Akong
Please note that the information provided in the guide is current as of December 2020.
Sexual violence is both an individual and a community-based issue. It can involve one survivor and one perpetrator, or multiples of each; it can also affect those involved in the lives of survivors, from family and friends to colleagues and professors.
We also recognize that those affected by sexual violence may not be sure if they’re ready to seek support right away. For this reason, we hope that this short resource will help you gain familiarity with each Campus Sexual Violence Prevention Office’s (CSVSPO) objectives and approach, as these factors may assist those requiring support in deciding whether the consultation of a CSVSPO is right for them.
Even if you are not currently affected by issues of sexual violence, the below CSVSPOs can also provide information that promotes a greater sense of allyship to survivors and can help you be a more informed and empowered member of your post-secondary institution’s (PSI) community. We encourage you to check out the resources relevant to your region for these reasons and more!
Alberta
What You Should Know: In Alberta, no legal framework has been established by the provincial legislature to decrease the incidence of sexual violence at post-secondary institutions. Nevertheless, a number of PSIs have endeavoured to enact policies themselves and to connect with one another and local organizations to address this problem and offer supports to students, staff and community members more broadly.
ABC neither has a CSVSPO nor an SV-specific policy. The closest policy, which is not publicly available online, may be their Harassment Policy, depending on how broadly harassment is defined. The PSI does not appear to have any SV-specific resources for community members.
Alberta College of Art and Design
ACAD has an SVP, which includes a number of internal and external resources available to those experiencing SV-related harm. However, none of the internal resources include a CSVSPO. Rather, community members are directed to the Counselling Office, security or the Student Association Office. Moreover, the PSI does not appear to have a separate webpage with SV-specific resources.
AUC has an SVP and a webpage with SV-specific information, but does not maintain a formal CSVSPO beyond its Sexual Violence Response and Awareness Committee, the role of which is not specified on the website, and the PSI’s Community Advocates, who are trauma-informed personnel that community members are encouraged to contact should they be experiencing SV-related harm.
Athabasca has a Harassment, Violence and Sexual Violence Policy, but no formal CSVSPO. Rather, community members are encouraged to connect with a Reporting Officer (the Provost & Vice President for students, and the Chief Human Resource Officer for all other community members). PSI-specific resources available to those experiencing harm include counselling services and the Student Wellness Program, but the PSI’s website does not appear to have published any SV-specific online resources.
BVC has an SVP, but no formal CSVSPO. Instead, it directs community members experiencing harm to the PSI’s Sexual Violence Response Advisor during regular office hours. The Sexual Violence Support section of the PSI’s website contains few resources.
BU has an SVP, but no formal CSVSPO. Rather, the PSI has a group of Trained Responders to Sexual Violence, most of whom are members of the PSI administration, and none of whose titles refer specifically to SV. The SVP makes mention of supports to be offered to affect community members, but its website does not appear to include any of such resources for online reference.
Concordia University of Edmonton
CUE has an SVP, but no formal CSVSPO. Rather, the PSI encourages those affected by SV to connect with the Vice President, Student Life and Learning. The PSI has a webpage on reporting SV, but it does not include further online resources.
Grande Prairie Regional College
GPRC has an SVP, but no formal CSVSPO. Instead, community members experiencing SV-related harm are directed to GPRC Mental Health Services or campus security. The SVP also includes a number of off-campus resources in Appendix 1.
This PSI has an SVP, but no formal CSVSPO. Rather, the PSI encourages those affected by SV to connect with the Executive Director of Human Resources. While the PSI has a webpage on reporting SV, it does not include extensive online resources.
This PSI does not have a formal CSVSPO, nor does it appear to have a standalone SVP. Instead, it has partnered with a local organization (the Lloyminster Sexual Assault Centre) to mitigate issues of SV in the community. Although Lakeland College routinely hosted SV-related training and education events prior to COVID-19, its website does not appear to include online resources on SV.
Lethbridge has a SVP and although it does not have a formal CSVSPO (its support services are provided by Wellness Services), its webpage contains a number of SV-specific internal and external resources.
This PSI has an Office of Sexual Violence Prevention Education and Response, with whom the Sexual Violence Response Coordinator is affiliated. The OSVPER’s webpage also includes further internal and external SV-specific resources.
Medicine Hat College (search results lead to downloadable policies and procedures, not weblinks)
MHC has an SVP, but no formal CSVSPO. Instead, Appendix C to its SVP directs students, staff and employees experiencing SV-related harm to a number of administrative personnel whose titles do not make specific reference to SV or harassment.
MRU has an SVP, and its SV support services are housed within Wellness Services. The Office’s webpage offers numerous online resources for those experiencing SV-related harm.
NAIT has an SVP, but not a formal CSVSPO. Rather, community members experiencing harm are encouraged to connect with NAIT’s Counselling Services or a local organization, the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.
NLC does not have a standalone SVP and addresses SV on campus by way of its Respectful Workplace Policy. Furthermore, the PSI does not appear to publish SV-specific supports or resources on its website.
This PSI does not have a CSVSPO. SV-related support is provided through Counselling Services and Human Resources. The SV-related pages of the PSI’s website include online resources for community members experiencing harm. A search of PC’s website suggests that if an SVP exists, it is not publicly available, and the PSI encourages those seeking to file a complaint to report instances of SV to the police.
RDC has a SVP, but no formal CSVSPO. Instead, the Security and Emergency Response Department handles the intake of disclosures and refers community members experiencing SV-related harm to the appropriate on-campus resources, including counselling, medical attention, etc. RDC’s website does not appear to include any SV-specific online resources.
SAIT has an SVP, but no formal CSVSPO. Instead, SV-related support is provided via Student Development and Counselling. The department’s webpage, however, contains a number of internal and external online resources.
StMU neither makes mention of a standalone SVP nor does a search of its website yield one. It does not appear to maintain a formal CSVSPO. Its website directs those experiencing harm to community organizations.
This PSI does not appear to have an SVP, CSVSPO, or SV-specific online resources published on its website.
The U of A has a standalone SVP, maintains a Sexual Assault Centre and provides community members experiencing harm with plenty of SV-specific resources.
UCalgary has an SVP and provides community members with a Sexual Violence Support Advocate as opposed to a formal CSVSPO. Its SV-related web content lists other on-campus and community supports.
ULethbridge has an SVP, but no formal CSVSPO. Community members are directed to Counselling Services, campus security and its Health Centre for assistance on the PSI’s Sexual Violence Support page.
British Columbia
What You Should Know: In BC, all PSIs (which are defined as institutions established or continued under one of a number of acts, including the University Act RSBC 1996 c 468) are governed by the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy Act, SBC 2016 c 23. This requires, per s. 2 of the latter, that each PSI craft and implement a sexual violence policy, although the legislation does not require that PSIs instate formal CSVSPOs.
Acsenda School of Management – Vancouver
ASM’s SVP mandates that those experiencing harm be directed to Student Services, which is not a formal CSVSPO. Its website does not appear to provide any SV-specific online resources.
AC does not appear to have a formal CSVSPO but offers the support of its Health and Wellness Counselor. Insofar as making disclosures of SV-related harm, community members will be directed to the Office of Student Affairs, which addresses different forms of misconduct.
British Columbia Institute of Technology
BCIT does not have a CSVSPO and directs community members experiencing SV-related harm to contact campus security for emergency assistance. Its website also provides that students may contact the Student Association Advocate for further support, and BCIT provides resources such as Counselling and Student Development and the Harassment & Discrimination Office.
CC does not have a CSVSPO but has an Office of Student Support, which provides “information and support” to its community members. Its SV-related web content includes general information on SV, its SVP, and how to give and receive support.
CAP U does not have a CSVSPO, but does have a Student Support Advisor who provides trauma-informed and culturally grounded support to those experiencing SV-related harm, and a Student Rights and Responsibilities Advisor who provides support to those who may have caused harm. Its website lists SV-related campus and community supports and offices and organizations that are also available to community members.
CMC does not have a CSVSPO and encourages staff and students to make disclosures to one of the numerous general members of the administration. Its website does not appear to include institution-specific resources, but its SVP includes a number of community resources.
CNC has numerous campuses, and its SV-specific web content lists resources available to community members by location. While CMC does not have a CSVSPO, its website includes a number of SV-specific online resources.
CR does not have a CSVSPO and encourages community members experiencing SV-related harm to seek support from College of the Rockies Counselling and Wellness Services. Its website provides community members with a number of internal and external resources.
CC does not have a CSVSPO. Instead, it has a Sexual Violence and Misconduct Response Advisor, who provides trauma-informed support to those experiencing SV-related harm. The PSI’s SV-related web content contains limited online resources but lists a number of community and campus-based resources available to community members.
Columbia Bible College does not have a formal CSVSPO, but their website does list resources for students, such as educational material, definitions, and a list of campus policies related to harassment and sexual misconduct. Columbia Bible College has also partnered with REES to make online reporting of sexual violence available to their campus community.
DC has an SVP, but not a CSVSPO. Community members experiencing SV-related harm are encouraged to seek support from either the Director of Safety, Security & Risk Management or the Associate Vice President, Human Resources. The PSI also has a Wellness Coordinator who can provide support, and its website includes general information on SV.
Emily Carr University of Art and Design
ECU has an SVP, but not a CSVSPO. Community members experiencing SV-related harm are encouraged to seek support from a Student Wellness Advocate. The PSI’s SV-related web content does not appear to include online resources beyond descriptions of how to disclose or file a formal complaint.
Justice Institute of British Columbia
JIBC maintains a Sexual Violence and Misconduct Prevention and Response Program, whose mandate is, amongst other things, to support or refer students to other institutional or community-based resources. In this regard, it is not a formal CSVSPO. Its SVP contains a number of on-campus and community supports.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
This PSI has an SVP, but not a CSVSPO. Community members experiencing SV-related harm are encouraged to seek support from the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office, which takes a trauma-informed approach. The PSI’s web content includes limited SV-specific e-resources.
This PSI has an SVP, but not a CSVSPO. Instead, community members experiencing SV-related harm are encouraged to connect with Langara Counselling, Health Services, one of the PSI’s Sexual Respect Ambassadors (an employee with a good grasp of the SVP and available resources) or other related PSI departments. Its website includes limited e-resources on SV and seeking help.
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
NVIT does not appear to have a CSVSPO, and directs community members to VictimLinkBC, a 24/7 sexual violence support line. They established the Stronger Together Project, an initiative whose aim is to raise awareness of campus SV, in 2017.
NIC does not have a CSVSPO. Instead, students are encouraged to contact NIC counsellors, who are trained to receive such disclosures, while employees of the PSI are encouraged to contact the Human Resources department. The PSI does, however, offer counselling services to community members affected by SV.
NLC does not appear to have a CSVSPO, but its website provides community members with a list of community-based resources.
OC does not appear to have a CSVSPO, but its website provides community members with SV-specific information and resources. Moreover, the PSI provides “mental health and emotional support” to community members experiencing harm via counselling services for students and the Employee Family Assistance Program for employees.
Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences
PCU does not have a CSVSPO. Instead, students are encouraged to seek support from the Student Services Officer in the office of the Registrar; faculty are encouraged to seek support from the Chief Academic Officer, and staff are encouraged to seek support from the Vice President – Administration. The PSI’s website does not appear to have published online, SV-specific resources.
QUC does not have a CSVSPO. Rather, community members are encouraged to make disclosures to one of the PSI’s Responsible Officers. Students experiencing SV-related harm may seek support from the PSI’s counselling services, while employees may seek the same from the Quest Employee Assistance Program.
RRU does not have a CSVSPO. Students experiencing SV-related harm may seek support from the PSI’s counselling services, while employees may seek the same from the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
SC does not have a CSVSPO, but it has a Counselling Team and a Health and Safety Advisor, both of whom are able to respond to disclosures and provide support. The PSI’s website includes an SV-specific “hand guide” and booklet.
SFU has a CSVSPO, the Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office. It includes a number of supports and SV-specific resources for community members experiencing harm. The SVSPO provides support, information and advice, as well as referrals to internal and external supports that survivors may require.
TRU maintains a Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response (SVPR) Office, which at this time is providing community members with virtual SV-specific support. The SVPRO is able to assist with arranging for academic accommodations, helping others support survivors and more.
TWU’s website contains information on SV and response, but the PSI does not have a formal CSVSPO. Disclosures are to be made to a TWU Contact Person, should the survivor wish to alert the PSI. Per TWU’s SVP, the Contact Person will also be able to provide support and assistance to those experiencing harm, regardless of whether a formal complaint is made.
University of British Columbia
UBC has a Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO). The SVPRO is able to assist with arranging for academic accommodations, helping others support survivors and more.
University of Northern British Columbia
UNBC does not appear to have a CSVSPO. Community members are encouraged to contact campus emergency services or the PSI’s SV/Security Incidents line for urgent situations, and UNBC counselling, residence and health services for further support.
University of the Fraser Valley
UFV has a reporting mechanism (the Sexualized Violence Reporting Form) and Sexualized Violence Prevention Team (whose role is to facilitate bystander intervention and create awareness of SV-related issues) but no formal CSVSPO. The SVP Team appears to primarily assist the campus in an institutional capacity as opposed to being equipped to assist survivors by providing SV-specific supports on an individual level. However, UFV community members may seek assistance from UFV Counsellors.
UVic has a CSVSPO, the Sexual Violence Resource Office in Equity via the Department of Equity and Human Rights. The Office is able to assist with arranging for academic accommodations, facilitates SV-related educational initiatives and receives disclosures and formal complaints. Its website contains a number of SV-specific resources.
VCC does not appear to have a CSVSPO. Rather, VCC Counselling Services are available to community members experiencing harm and the PSI has compiled a list of other internal non-SV-specific resources (and external SV-specific resources) that may also assist with issues of SV. Formal reports are to be made to the Director of Safety, Security and Risk Management.
VIC does not appear to have a CSVSPO. Rather, it directs community members experiencing SV-related harm to the PSI’s Health and Wellness Centre, its Office of Student Conduct Support and its Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office. Moreover, counselling is available to student members of the PSI community experiencing harm.
Nunavut
What You Should Know: In Nunavut, no legal framework has been established by the provincial legislature to decrease the incidence of sexual violence at post-secondary institutions. Nevertheless, a number of PSIs have endeavoured to enact policies themselves and to connect with one another and local organizations to address this problem and offer supports to students, staff and community members more broadly.
NAC does not have a CSVSPO but has an SVP, which directs community members experiencing SV-related harm to report the incident to “a senior administrator”. The PSI’s website does not appear to have any SV-specific resources for community members.
Northwest Territories
What You Should Know: In the Northwest Territories, no legal framework has been established by the provincial legislature to decrease the incidence of sexual violence at post-secondary institutions.
Aurora College does not have a CSVSPO but has Student Conduct Bylaws prohibiting sexual harassment. Community members experiencing SV-related harm who are looking to explore their options are encouraged to report the incident to “a College faculty or staff member”. The PSI’s website does not appear to have any SV-specific resources for community members.
Yukon
What You Should Know: In the Yukon, no legal framework has been established by the provincial legislature to decrease the incidence of sexual violence at post-secondary institutions.
Yukon U does not have a CSVSPO but has an SVP which encourages community members experiencing SV-related harm to connect with Campus Housing, Human Resources, the Director of Student Infrastructure and Support, or the Manager of Safety and Security. The PSI’s website does not appear to have any SV-specific resources for community members
Read the others in this series:
Campus Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Offices, Part 1/4: Prairies Edition
Campus Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Offices, Part 3/4: Central Canada
Campus Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Offices, Part 4/4: Atlantic Canada
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Suggested Citation: Akong, Rebecca. (2021, January). Campus Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Offices, Part 2/4 (Western Canada & Territories). Courage to Act. www.couragetoact.ca/blog/csvspo-westerncanadaandterritories