Sexual Violence Response Guidelines for Employees

Guidelines for Camosun Employees

Camosun College’s Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures outline how survivors of sexualized violence – no matter when or where such events occurred – will be supported, and what they can expect in terms of college support from any college employee. It is your responsibility to understand the policy expectations in order to provide consistent and supportive response to students at Camosun College who disclose experiences of sexual violence. The Office of Student Support (OSS) offers a number of employee-focused workshops in order to support faculty and staff to understand these responsibilities. Student Support Managers are also available for individual consultations by request.

Key Responsibilities

• Camosun faculty and staff who receive a disclosure are responsible for letting students know the services and resources available to them in a sensitive, respectful and timely manner. This includes ensuring that students are aware that a policy and formal support exists ensuring they are aware that there is an Office of Student Support.
• Camosun faculty and staff are required to report a disclosure of sexual or gender-based violence to the Office of Student Support and can do so without revealing the student’s identity should the student want to remain anonymous.
• If a person experiencing or witnessing Sexual Violence chooses not to make a Disclosure or Report, they may still access support and accommodation services through the College, such as counselling, medical attention, and/or academic considerations, where required and reasonably possible. Faculty, chairs and deans are required to work with the Student Support Manager to find options that support the student in a timely and respectful way.
  • Students seeking temporary and reasonable accommodations can either be an individual who has experienced sexual violence or a student respondent.
• For suggestions on how to respond to a student’s disclosure of sexual violence, please refer to the Supporting Survivors page.

Responding to Disclosures

If someone begins to tell you about an experience of sexual violence, respond in a way that supports their individual dignity and demonstrates compassion and respect. In these sensitive situations, convey to them that you will assist them, but that they do not need to disclose any specifics of their experience to you at this time.

Please Note:

• Disclosing specific information may actually decrease, not increase, the individual’s emotional safety and stability, and may compromise the objectivity of future investigative actions. Your role is to act as a ‘bridge’, connecting the student with the help they need, provided by individuals with the knowledge and skill to assist.
• Complaints involving a student and an employee will be managed through the Office of Student Support and simultaneously with the Executive Director, Human Resources Department.
• If you are a college employee and are involved as either a complainant or respondent in a complaint involving a student, you should contact Human Resources, and/or your union representative, if applicable, for information and assistance.