Responding to Sexual Violence in Residence
The university’s academic mission can only succeed within a safe and vibrant learning environment. Acts of sexual violence go against this mission so Residence Services and the University of Alberta are committed to supporting the needs of survivors to restore this environment for them.
Should a survivor choose to disclose or make a complaint, there will be services and experienced professionals ready to assist and support them.
Survivor-driven approach
Survivors are allowed to pursue any of the reporting and support options available to them. Responses to disclosures or complaints will be focused on the needs of the person who was subjected to harm rather than on punishment for the person who caused harm. In some cases, the survivor will request that the individual be allowed to remain in the community and we will honour that request, whenever it is deemed safe for the rest of the community to do so. That is why the actions that result from a disclosure or complaint will vary—responses are always guided by the individual circumstances and the survivors’ wishes.
Community safety
It is important for residents to feel safe and supported in order to fully participate in the academic environment. While the result of a disclosure or complaint may not always be understood by others in the community, be assured that all appropriate measures have been taken to support the needs of the survivor and the safety of the community.
Together, we can build a culture of safety and consent and improve how sexual violence is addressed within residence. Residence Services is committed to:
Improved first-responder training
Student and professional staff will be adequately trained to offer the required support to survivors
Continued support for survivors
Residents can get support regardless of when or where an incident occured or who committed it
More educational programming
Community events that focus on supporting survivors and building a culture of consent
Working with the community
Addressing concerns to ensure residents can participate in a safe and vibrant learning environment
SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS
Residents who have experienced sexual violence can get the support they need regardless of when or where the violence took place or who committed it.
If you are struggling as a result of sexual violence during your time at the university, one of the following will be able to provide appropriate and timely help, or connect you with someone who can, so that you understand your options:
- Resident Assistant or other Residence Life student staff
- Residence Services professional staff
- Sexual Assault Centre or any other support service on campus
Individual reactions to sexual violence differ greatly, and a person's decision about how to respond to an experience of sexual violence may change over time. If you have experienced sexual violence, view Help for Survivors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Residence Life professional staff member
(contact the Residence Care Coordinator at reswell@ualberta.ca)
- treated with respect, dignity and compassion,
- informed about on- and off-campus resources and supports,
- provided with access to support which is non-judgmental, coordinated and comprehensive
- offered options for academic, recreational, University residence and/or workplace modifications to prevent further unwanted contact with the subject of the disclosure and ameliorate, to the extent possible, the negative impacts of the sexual violence on the person’s working, study or student residence environment,
- provided with information about available complaint processes should they wish to pursue a complaint within the University and/or to an external law enforcement agency, and
- offered safety planning assistance.
- The survivor requested that the person who caused harm not be removed
- No disclosure or complaint has been made to Residence Services (please recognize that it can be hard for survivors to come forward and share their experiences)
- Residence Services has not had a chance to hear from the survivor about what they need in order to fully participate in university life
All professional Residence Life staff receive First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training and training from the Dean of Students on the Sexual Violence Policy. They also receive ongoing training on topics such as family and domestic violence, trauma-informed care and more.
All student staff receive training from the University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre before beginning their role on creating a culture of consent in their community, identifying sexual violence, receiving sexual violence disclosures, and connecting survivors to campus and community supports they may choose to access. Student staff also receive Supportive Conversation training and Mental Health Awareness training from a Community Social Worker on campus, which they apply to support students in residence in navigating the university support system.