On January 1, the updated Sexual Violence & Harassment Policy went into effect following a year-long policy review. Based on the feedback collected, the policy now includes recommended timelines for resolution, safeguards against reprisals, expanded definitions of cyber sexual violence, and clarified scope for responding to cases of intimate partner violence. 

The review was led by Professor and former dean of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, Faye Mishna, and included an independent review by legal expert Gillian Hnatiw, as well as community consultations with university students, staff, and faculty members. 

As provincially mandated, the policy will undergo its next review in 2028.

Recommended timelines

The policy now includes a 12-month recommended timeframe for closing cases and an eight-month recommended timeframe for completing investigations. However, U of T must still consider “the circumstances of the particular matter including its complexity and the requirements of Procedural Fairness.” 

Procedural fairness is defined as a respondent’s right to respond to a report, which usually requires the disclosure of the reporter’s identity. It also includes the respondent’s right to an impartial decision-maker and to receive a rationale for any decisions made. 

According to the policy’s 2024–2025 Report on Activity, most closed cases lasted more than 12 months from report intake to case closure. The annual report provides anonymous information about sexual violence at the university, including the length of administrative processes for closed cases and case outcomes. 

All cases that took longer than 12 months were initiated in previous years. Cases that were referred to a hearing under the Code of Student Conduct took an average of 23 months to conclude. The policy’s recommended timeframe does not apply to Code of Student Conduct hearings or other adjudication processes.

While hearings do not have a formal timeline, the Code of Student Conduct notes that “every effort shall be made to conclude the case through to delivery of a final decision within the University within one year from the alleged incident of misconduct.”

Although most complainants chose to proceed with an investigation under the policy, only about 16 per cent of cases involving a student respondent were referred to a hearing. The remaining 84 per cent of cases were resolved through the Facilitated Resolution Process — formerly known as a non-adjudicative process. 

The Facilitated Resolution Process is a non-disciplinary process that may result in a no-contact order or mandatory counselling and/or education for the respondent. Either the complainant or respondent can request a Facilitated Resolution Process at any point after a report has been made, but both parties must agree to participate.

Adjudication processes refer to investigations conducted by the Office of Safety and High Risk that may result in suspension or expulsion. Since 2023, the university has issued two suspensions but no expulsions. Additionally, 57 per cent of closed cases in no contact orders, and 32 per cent resulted in mandatory training. 

Expanded definitions

Reprisal is now formally defined as “any action…. that imposes negative consequences against a complainant to penalize them for disclosing or reporting sexual violence.” Interim measures have been introduced to reduce the risk of reprisal, including separation of parties, schedule changes, or housing changes. Instances or threats of retaliation during a process under the policy will be recorded as new incidents of sexual violence. 

The policy also updated its definition of cyber sexual violence, now referred to as tech-facilitated sexual violence, which accounts for the non-consensual creation and distribution of AI-generated intimate images. The definition now also includes cyber stalking, cyber voyeurism, and sextortion. 

The 2024–2025 Report on Activity confirms a 166 per cent increase in recorded cases of cyber sexual violence, alongside a general rise in sexual violence occurring in online spaces. 

Although the policy now includes a definition of intimate partner violence, it clarifies that only instances that constitute sexual violence fall within its scope. Students, staff, and faculty members experiencing intimate partner violence not covered by the policy can still access resources from the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre.

Where to find sexual violence and harassment support at U of T 

A list of safety resources is available at safety.utoronto.ca 

The tri-campus Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre’s website is www.svpscentre.utoronto.ca 

Individuals can visit the centre’s website for more information, contact details, and hours of operation. Centre staff can be reached by phone at 416-978-2266. 

Locations: 

  • U of T downtown Toronto campus: Gerstein Library, suite B139 
  • U of T Mississauga: Davis Building, room 3094G 
  • U of T Scarborough: Environmental Science and Chemistry Building, EV141 

Those who have experienced sexual violence can also call Campus Police to make a report at 416-978-2222 (St. George and U of T Scarborough) or 905-569-4333 (U of T Mississauga). 

After-hours support is also available at: 

  • Women’s College Hospital Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre (416-323-6040)
  • Scarborough Grace Sexual Assault Care Centre (416-495-2400) 
  • Trillium Hospital Sexual Assault Care Centre (905-848-7100)

 

Where to find the closest place to obtain an abortion

Closest to UTSG: Bay Centre, Women’s College Hospital

  • 76 Grenville St, third floor
  • 416-351-3700
  • womenscollegehospital.ca
  • Manual Procedural: up to eight weeks gestational age (GA)
  • Medication: up to 10 weeks GA
  • Procedural in hospital: up to 24 weeks and six days GA
  • No admin fees

Closest to UTM: ​​Mississauga Women’s Clinic

  • 101 Queensway W Unit 401
  • 905-629-4516
  • mwclinic.com
  • Medication: up to 10 weeks and six days GA
  • Procedural: up to 18 weeks GA
  • Admin fees: $70

Closest to UTSC: East End Women’s Clinic