From: Trevor Young, Vice-President and Provost
Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture
Date: September 23, 2025
Re: 2025 Review of the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (PDAD&C #11)
The University is inviting feedback on proposed revisions to the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (Policy) until October 8, 2025.
Background:
The University’s Policy applies to all students, staff, faculty members, and librarians and is reviewed every three years. The University launched its most recent review of the Policy in January 2025, with community consultations taking place between January and March, 2025.
The University’s review of the Policy had two parts: 1) consultations with staff, students, faculty members and librarians across the tri-campus; and 2) expert legal advice.
Professor Faye Mishna, the former Dean of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, led the consultations. During the review period, Professor Mishna and the review team heard from over 200 staff, students, faculty members and librarians through in-person and online meetings and an anonymous online form.
The University also retained an external legal expert, Gillian Hnatiw, to review the Policy to assess whether there are aspects we should consider improving, updating, or changing. Ms. Hnatiw is a Toronto-based lawyer with expertise in gender-based violence and frequently takes on cases involving sexual assault, abuse and harassment.
Request for Input – Proposed Revisions to the Policy
The proposed revisions to the Policy respond to many of the themes and issues raised through the consultations and by Ms. Hnatiw, including: updating the Definitions and Statement of Commitments sections; adding timelines to key stages in a process; adding a new decision-making pathway for the Vice-Provost Students where the Respondent is a student; requiring mandatory training for key roles; expanding the scope of the Policy to address some forms of intimate partner violence; providing more information about several topics including Respondent supports, non-adjudication resolution, reprisals, procedural fairness, etc.
In addition to the changes to the Policy, the University is also planning to respond to several issues through improved communications about the Policy, new educational initiatives, and operational improvements.
All interested U of T community members are encouraged to review the proposed Policy revisions and provide comments through the online feedback form. The form will be open from September 23 to October 7, 2025.
- Please visit the U of T Consultations website to provide feedback on the proposed revisions to the Policy.
Following review of the community feedback, a final version of the proposed changes to the Policy will be presented to Governance for approval in December 2025.
Supports:
Consultations related to sexual violence may be difficult for some community members. If you require support, please contact the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre.
The following additional supports are also available to the University community:
- Staff, faculty, and librarians: Employee and Family Assistance Program at 1-855-597-2110.
Students: U of T Telus Health Student Support at 1-844-451-9700 or if outside North America, call 001-416-380-6578.