A student who has experienced sexual violence has the following options which may be accessed in any order or simultaneously. A student can choose any or all of these options:
Option 1: Receive Immediate Medical Attention and/or Crisis Support
Access off campus resources: if you are concerned about Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV prophylaxis (a 30 day HIV preventative course of medicine), Hepatitis B test and vaccine, emergency contraception, or may wish to file criminal charges at some point, going to see a medical professional may be helpful. The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre or the Durham Region Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Care Center at Lakeridge Health offer free and confidential service. For off-campus counselling and support in Peterborough, call the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre 24 hour crisis line at (705) 741-0260 or toll free at 1-866-298-7778. For Durham, contact the Durham Rape Crisis Centre, 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 905- 668-9200, or email info@drcc.ca.
For more resources please see our Resources page.
Option 2: Connect with the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Team for Support and Advocacy
Share your experience with a professional staff trained to receive disclosures: if you have experienced sexual violence and would like to receive support in accessing services and accommodations, please reach out to (705) 748-1011 ext. 7792 or email consent@trentu.ca. Accommodations include academic consideration, room relocation, withdrawal from classes, tuition refunds, etc. The person receiving the disclosure does not need to know all the details of the incident and will assist you based on your needs. A disclosure is not a report; the University will not investigate or take disciplinary action against the person you state has caused you harm (respondent) unless there is clear evidence that there is an imminent risk of physical harm to someone. You do not need to participate in any investigation and your confidentiality will be maintained unless it is necessary for the purpose of protecting members of the Trent community. The person receiving the disclosure will:
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Inform you of all on and off campus supports available to you;
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Facilitate contact with Campus Safety to assist if there is an imminent safety threat, including interim measures such as relocating or prohibiting the person who caused harm from accessing campus;
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Refer you to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Team (SVPRT) [if this isn’t the staff member you have disclosed to and you would like additional support]. They can provide you with safety planning, advocacy, and support figuring out your options;
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Maintain confidentiality unless there is a imminent threat of serious physical harm to any person.
Option 3: Connect with Campus Safety for Reporting
This option formally notifies the University of an incident of sexual violence in order to initiate the investigation and/or resolution process. This report will be recorded and documented. If the person who caused harm is a Trent employee, the Workplace Violence and Harassment Policy will be used. In the event the person who caused harm is both an employee and a student, the Workplace Violence and Harassment Policy will be used if the incident was related to their job duties. You are welcome to bring a support person with you when you speak with Security.
Campus Safety will:
- Take your contact information and any details of the incident you wish to share at this point. In addition to providing the information and support listed in Option 2, they will explain your many options.
- Arrange a safety plan and access to supports as necessary.
- If there is an imminent threat to someone’s safety, Security may prohibit the person who caused harm from accessing campus for up to 72 hours so that the Threat Assessment Team can be quickly convened to determine appropriate safety measures during the investigation.
A. Report for Information Only
- Your report can be documented for future reference in case there are patterns of behaviour.
B. Restorative/Negotiated Options
- Explain that non-judicial resolutions such as mediation or negotiation is available if both the person who experienced sexual violence and the person who caused harm agree. You do not have to face the person to mediate the situation, staff can assist in this process. If you wish to access this type of resolution, Campus Safety will refer you to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Team and/or Student Affairs. This option is focused on outcomes and reaching a resolution. There is no admission of guilt necessary. If the process is not successful, you still may proceed with the investigation.
C. Formal Report Option
- Advise the Security Manager or Director, who will investigate the complaint, and may arrange a meeting with you.
- Investigate the report- speak with all parties involved
- Create a fact-finding report based on evidence and interviews to inform potential outcomes
To connect with Security, go to their website. In an emergency call 705-748-1333 (Peterborough) or 905-435-5111 (Durham).
Option 4: Reporting with Local Authorities
You can file a report with local Police. You must go to the closest precinct to where the incident occurred.
If the University is made aware of a police investigation, Campus Safety can still assist you with access to supports and services. You may consider also filing a report with Campus Safety in the event the Police decline to pursue charges. If the Police begin an investigation, your Campus Safety investigation will be on hold.
In any emergency situation on campus you are encouraged to call Peterborough Security at 705-748-1333, Durham Security at 905-435-5111, or the Police at 911. For off campus emergencies you are encouraged to call the police at 911 if you feel safe to do so.