Sexual Violence in the Workplace
A psychologically healthy and safe workplace seeks to raise awareness of and proactively prevent all forms of harassment and violence, specifically sexual violence in the workplace.
The University of Alberta has a robust Sexual Violence Policy Suite that includes a wealth of additional information and resources. The policy has campus-wide application and covers the learning and working environments. Human Resource Services and the Office of the Dean of Students are the offices of administrative accountability for the policy.
The university’s sexual violence policy defines sexual violence as any sexual act or act of a sexual nature, or act targeting sexuality whether physical or psychological, committed without consent. This includes but is not limited to sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism distribution of intimate images, inducing intoxication, impairment or incapacity for the purpose of making another person vulnerable to nonconsensual sexual activity and other analogous conduct.
As a faculty or staff member of the university, it is your responsibility to know how you can respond to a disclosure of sexual violence, and the resources that are available to support individuals impacted by sexual violence.
The university also has a Violence Prevention Appendix to our Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control Procedure that outlines your responsibilities if you witness or experience acts of violence.
What Do I Do if I Learn of An Incident of Workplace Violence?
Workplace violence can include:
- physical attack or aggression
- threatening or intimidating behavior
- verbal or written threats
- domestic violence
- sexual violence
The University of Alberta has specific information on reporting violence that occurs within the workplace. Please review the information contained within the UAPPOL Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control Procedure, Appendix B - Violence Prevention. All faculty and staff have a responsibility to act once they are made aware of workplace violence.
If you witness or experience workplace violence, report the incident promptly by completing the U of A’s online incident report.
Delayed reporting could compromise collection of evidence and produce other challenges during the investigation.
Employees may also contact:
- Office of Safe Disclosure 780-248-1894
- Helping Individuals at Risk (HIAR) 780-492-4372
- University of Alberta Protective Services (UAPS) 780-492-5050
- City of Edmonton Police 911
Employees may report anonymously; however, this may limit the ability to address the complaint and take appropriate next steps.
Workplace Sexual Violence Education
Human Resource Services is working to offer education and awareness on workplace sexual violence in a variety of modalities. When sessions are offered, they are available for registration at the Learn Centre.
A number of free webinars can also be found online at Courage to Act
- Workplace Violence and Harassment Webinar - Government of Alberta
- Sexual Assault and Harassment Fact Sheet - Canadian Women’s Federation
- Sexual Violence Information Video series - UAlberta Sexual Assault Centre
- Why Gender Based Violence is a Public Health Issue - UAlberta School of Public Health
Resources
UAlberta Sexual Assault Centre - The University’s Sexual Assault Centre is accessible to all members of the University community and is a wealth of information and expertise.
Helping Individuals at Risk - Helping Individuals at Risk (HIAR) is a confidential, centralized resource for members of the campus community to report worrisome behaviours or concerns about individuals at risk of harming themselves or others.
Safe Disclosure and Human Rights - The Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights provides confidential disclosure services as well as advising and consulting on any issue relating to Human Rights, Discrimination, Harassment and Accommodation issues.
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) - the university has worked closely with the EFAP program to ensure they maintain clinical experience and expertise with sexual violence so they are positioned to provide support to those impacted by sexual violence.
University of Alberta Protective Services - University of Alberta Protective Services (UAPS) provides a positive university environment for students, staff, faculty and visitors through the prevention, intervention, and response to risks and emerging issues related to safety and security.