On December 15, the Governing Council voted to approve the new Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment which took effect January 1, 2017. The University of Toronto News article on the Policy’s approval can be found here. The new Policy, which applies to all students, faculty, and staff at the University of Toronto, is an important step in addressing sexual violence on our campuses including enhancing preventative education efforts, and improving access to supports.

The Policy is the result of work which began in November 2014 with the formation of the Presidential and Provostial Committee on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence. The content was informed by extensive consultations across the University community and the recommendations of the University’s Expert Panel on Sexual Violence Policies.

With the approval of the Policy, the University of Toronto also meets its obligations under Bill 132, requiring, among other things, that each publicly-funded university and college in the province have in place policies and procedures for addressing incidents of sexual violence.

Training on the Policy and related procedures will be held with members of the University community, including PDAD&C members and other faculty and staff, in the coming months.