TAHA COLLEGE OF BEAUTY, BUSINESS, HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY 2210 Markham Road, Unit 1, Scarborough, ON M1B 5V6 

SEXUAL VIOLENCE POLICY

 1. Applicability:

This policy applies to all members of the College community, including employees, students, instructors contractors, suppliers of services, individuals connected to College initiatives, volunteers, and visitors. It is accessible on the College website, and a print copy is available upon request.

2. Legal Context:

This policy serves as a guide. The Criminal Code R.S.C., 1985 c. C-46, the Ontario HumanRights Code, and the Career Colleges Act 2005 take precedence and should be consulted in all cases.

   3. DEFINITIONS:

SEXUAL VIOLENCE:

A comprehensive term encompassing any violence, physical or psychological, executed through sexual means or by targeting sexuality. Forms include sexual abuse and assault.

Consent:

The voluntary and explicit agreement to engage in a specific sexual activity. Key considerations include:

• Silence or non-communication must not be interpreted as consent.
• Incapacity to consent if asleep, unconscious, or unable to communicate.
• Threats or coercion negate voluntary agreement.
• Inability to consent when drugged or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Potential inability to consent due to mental disability.

Additional points:

• Past consent does not imply consent for all future sexual activities.
• Withdrawal of consent is permissible at any stage.
• Incapacity to consent to someone in a position of trust, power, or authority.
• Consent cannot be given on behalf of another person.

 Note: The Criminal Code defines "consent" as the voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity, specifying situations where consent is not obtained. It is the initiator's responsibility to ensure clear and affirmative communication at all stages of sexual engagement, including awareness of the other party's age.

4. Responsibility and Affirmative Communication:

The initiator of sexual activity is responsible for clear and affirmative communication at all stages, ensuring awareness of the other party's age.

5. Note on Consent from Criminal Code:

The Criminal Code defines consent and outlines situations where consent is not obtained.

Note: This information is as of September 2020, Version 2.1.

6. Other Relevant Terms:

Acquaintance Sexual Violence:

• Sexual contact is forced, manipulated, or coerced by a partner, friend, or acquaintance.

Age of Consent for Sexual Activity:

• The legal age at which a person can consent to sexual activity.In Canada, children under 12 cannot legally consent, and the legal age is 16. There are variations for adolescents between 12 and 16, allowing consent with peers within a specified age range.

Coercion:

• Unreasonable and persistent pressure for sexual activity involving emotional manipulation, blackmail, threats, or promises of rewards.

Drug-Facilitated Sexual Violence:

• The use of alcohol and/or drugs by a perpetrator to control, overpower, or subdue a victim for sexual violence.

Stalking:

• A form of criminal harassment prohibited by the Criminal Code of Canada.

Survivor:

• A term used for individuals who have experienced sexual violence, recognizing their resilience.

 7. Purpose and Intent of the Policy:

All members of the College community have the right to work and study in an environment free from sexual violence. This policy outlines the College's response protocol, ensuring belief in survivors, respect for their rights, and holding individuals accountable for acts of sexual violence.

  8. Policy Statement:

Sexual violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The College is committed to challenging and preventing sexual violence, creating a safe space for all community members. The policy emphasizes a safe and positive environment for work, learning, and self-expression, free from sexual violence.The College is expected to be a safe and positive space where members of the College community feel able to work, learn and express themselves in an environment free from sexual violence.All reported incidents of sexual violence will be investigated to the best of the administration’s ability and in a manner that ensures due process. It is this policy’s intention to make individuals feel comfortable about making a report in good faith about sexual violence that they have experienced or witnessed. We recognize that sexual violence can occur between individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity or relationship status as articulated in the Ontario HumanRights Code. We also recognize that individuals who have experienced sexual violence may experience emotional, academic or other difficulties.

The College is committed to:

• Assisting those who have experienced sexual violence by providing choices, including detailed information and support, such as referrals to counselling and medical care, information about legal options, and appropriate academic or other accommodations.
• Ensuring that those who disclose sexual violence are believed and that their dignity and respect are protected throughout the process of disclosure, investigation, and institutional response.
• Addressing harmful attitudes and behaviours, such as myths that place blame on the person who experienced sexual violence.
• Treating individuals who disclose sexual violence with compassion, recognizing that they are the final decision-makers regarding their own best interests.
• Ensuring that on-campus investigation procedures are available, even when the individual chooses not to report the incident to the police.
• Engaging in fair and appropriate procedures for the investigation and adjudication of complaints, in line with College policies, standards, and applicable collective agreements.
• Ensuring coordination and communication among departments involved in the campus response to sexual violence.
• Promoting public education and prevention activities related to sexual violence.
• Providing the College community with information about sexual violence policies and protocols.
• Offering education and training to the College community on how to respond to disclosures of sexual violence.
• Fostering a campus atmosphere in which sexual violence is not tolerated
• Monitoring and updating policies and protocols to ensure they remain effective and aligned with best practices and other relevant policies.
   

9. Commitments and Actions:

• No discipline for students reporting sexual violence.
• No irrelevant questions during investigations.
• Assistance for survivors with choices, support, counselling, medical care, legal information, and accommodation.
• Belief in and protection of the dignity and rights of survivors.
• Addressing harmful attitudes and behaviours.
• Compassionate treatment of individuals disclosing sexual violence.
• Availability of on-campus investigations, even if not reported to the police.
• Adherence to fair and due process in complaint procedures.
• Coordination and communication among relevant departments.
• Engagement in public education, prevention activities, and dissemination of information.
• Provision of education and training to the College community.
• Contribution to creating a campus atmosphere intolerant of sexual violence.
• Regular monitoring and updating of policies and protocols to ensure effectiveness and alignment with existing policies and best practices.

10. Disciplinary Measures:

If Taha College determines that the Respondent engaged in sexual violence, immediate disciplinary or corrective action will be taken. This may include disciplinary action involving termination of employment of instructors or staff, expulsion of a student, or placement of certain restrictions on the Respondent's ability to access certain premises or facilities.

11. Reporting and Responding to Sexual Violence:

          11.1 Reporting:

Members of the College community should promptly report witnessed or known incidents of sexual violence. Those who have experienced sexual violence are encouraged to come forward as soon as possible. Persons in positions of authority must take immediate action to respond to or prevent sexual violence.

         11.2 Safety Measures:

If the College becomes aware of incidents of sexual violence posing a risk to the community, it will take reasonable steps to ensure safety on and off College property.

12. Complaint Process and Investigations:

        12.1 Filing a Complaint:

Any member of the College community can file a complaint of sexual violence under this Policy. The College ensures procedural fairness, providing respondents with details of allegations and an opportunity to respond.

        12.2 Right to Withdraw a Complaint:

A complainant can withdraw a complaint at any stage. However, the College may continue addressing identified issues to fulfil its obligations.

       12.3 Protection from Reprisals, Retaliation, or Threats:

Retaliation against complainants for pursuing rights under this Policy or the Ontario Human Rights Code is strictly prohibited. Sanctions and discipline may apply to those engaging in such conduct.

       12.4 Addressing Complaints:

Confiding in Someone:

• Victims can confide in any campus member, such as students, professors, or staff from various departments. Basic information on providing a compassionate response is available to everyone on campus.
• Response Process:

Step 1: Campus Manager's Role

• Provide information on available services.
• Listen without judgment.
• Respect survivor's choices.
• Offer support for medical care and police reporting.
  
   

Step 2: Campus Manager's Functions

• Help decide on formal reporting.
• Assist in developing a safety plan.
• Provide referrals to counseling and support services.
• Facilitate academic considerations.

Step 3: Further Actions by Campus Manager

• Conduct internal investigations or involve police services.
• Implement measures to manage alleged perpetrators.
• Protect the victim with measures like "no contact orders."

         12.5 Unsubstantiated or Vexatious Complaints:

If a person, in good faith, discloses or files a sexual violence complaint that is not supported by evidence gathered during an investigation, that complaint will be dismissed. Disclosures or complaints that are found following investigation to be frivolous, vexatious or bad faith complaints, that is, made to purposely annoy, embarrass or harm the respondent may result in sanctions and/or discipline against the complainant.

13. Making False Statements:

It violates this Sexual Violence Policy for anyone to knowingly make a false complaint of sexual violence or provide false information about a complaint. Individuals who violate this Sexual ViolencePolicy are subject to disciplinary and/or corrective action up to and including termination of employment of instructors or staff or expulsion of a student.

14. Confidentiality:

The confidentiality of all persons involved in a report of sexual violence must be strictly observed, and the College does its best to respect the confidentiality of all persons, including the complainant, respondent, and witnesses.

However, confidentiality cannot be assured in the following circumstances:

1. An individual is at imminent risk of self-harm.
2. An individual is at imminent risk of harming another.
3. There are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the College or wider community may be at risk of harm.

In such circumstances, information would only be shared with necessary services to prevent harm, and the name of the survivor would not be released to the public.

Where the College becomes aware of an allegation of sexual violence by a member of the College community against another member, the College may also have an obligation to take steps to ensure the matter is addressed to comply with legal obligations and/or policies. In such cases, certain College administrators will be informed about the reported incident on a “need to know” and confidential basis, though not necessarily with the identities of the persons involved.

If students, in good faith, report an incident or make a complaint about sexual violence, they will not be subject to discipline or sanctions for any violations of the College’s policies relating to drug or alcohol use at the time the alleged incident occurred.

Students who disclose their experience of sexual violence through reporting an incident, making a complaint, or accessing supports and services will not be asked irrelevant questions during the investigation process, including questions about their sexual expression or past sexual history.

16. Sexual Assault &Sexual Violence Protocol:

If You Have Experienced Sexual Violence:

If you have experienced sexual violence, please contact the College Manager immediately at

416-990-9690. It can be challenging to disclose and report incidents of sexual violence, and the decision to do so is entirely up to you. However, reporting is strongly encouraged. You are not required to report to obtain support, services, or accommodation. Several resources are available to you, including:

17. Review and Amendment:

The sexual violence policy will undergo a review at least once every three years, with amendments made as necessary to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with current best practices.

18. Reprisal:

It is a violation of this Sexual Violence Policy to retaliate or threaten to retaliate against a complainant who has brought forward a complaint of sexual violence, provided information related to a complaint, or otherwise been involved in the complaint investigation process. Individuals who violate the Sexual Violence Policy are subject to disciplinary and/or corrective action, up to and including termination of employment of instructors or staff or expulsion of a student.

Acknowledging the prevalence of social media,Students and alumni are encouraged to communicate responsibly. 

Taha College of Beauty, Business,Health & Technology recognizes the positive impact of networking opportunities facilitated by social media.

Reputation is a Two-WayStreet:

While Students benefit from being alumni of Taha College, the institution is defined by the quality and success of its graduates. Both Taha College of Beauty, Business, Health & Technology, and its Students share a common interest in preserving and protecting the integrity and image of the College.

Specific Undertakings of Student:

With the above principles in mind, Students undertake to:

• Refrain from making inaccurate, unduly critical, derogatory, or libellous public statements about Taha College.
• Avoid making statements that unfairly injure the reputation of other Students, instructors, or staff members.
• Report any unduly critical, derogatory, or libellous statements about Taha College promptly.
• Report any inaccurate, unduly critical, or derogatory statements about anotherStudent, instructor, or staff member promptly.
• Refrain from any form of disparagement that would reasonably bring Taha College into disrepute.
• Familiarize themselves with other binding policies, including anti-harassment/violence and anti-bullying policies.

Discipline for Non-Compliance:

Non-compliance with this policy may result in discipline, including expulsion or other appropriate sanctions.