Sexual Misconduct Policy

Table of contents:

Policy Description

Vancouver Animation School takes all disclosures, complaints and reports of sexual misconduct seriously and will respond to them thoroughly and expeditiously, providing appropriate accommodations to the victim/survivor as needed.

Definitions:

Sexual Assault
Sexual Exploitation
Sexual Harassment
Stalking
Indecent Exposure
Voyeurism
The Distribution of a Sexually explicit photograph or video of a person to one or more persons, other than the person in the photograph or video without the consent of the person in the photograph or video and with the intent to distress the person in the photo or video.
The Attempt to Commit an Act of Sexual Misconduct
The Threat to Commit an Act of Sexual Misconduct

A Disclosure or Complaint is when the victim/survivor chooses to tell someone at the institution of an incident of sexual misconduct in order to seek support but may not want to make a report to police.

A Report is a formal notification of an incident of sexual misconduct to someone at the institution accompanied by a request for action. A report can be made by anyone, but not limited to the victim/survivor.

Policy:

A student making a complaint of sexual misconduct will be provided with resolution options and, if appropriate, accommodation, and will not be required or pressured to make a report.
It is contrary to this policy for this institution to retaliate, engage in reprisals or threaten to retaliate in relation to a Complaint or a Report.
Any processes undertaken pursuant to this policy will be based on the principles of administrative fairness. All parties involved will be treated with dignity and respect.
All information related to a Complaint or Report is confidential and will not be shared without the written consent of the parties, subject to the following exceptions: ‍

· If an individual is at imminent risk of severe or life-threatening self-harm

· If an individual is at imminent risk of harming another

· There are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the institutional community may be at significant risk of harm based on the information provided

· Where reporting is required by law

· Where it is necessary to ensure procedural fairness in an investigation or other response to a Complaint or Report.

Procedures:

The process for making a complaint of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:

A complaint can be made to the Head of Faculty, Calvin LeDuc (telephone 1-888-677-8827). If the Head of Faculty is absent or is named in a complaint, the complaint may be directed to the School Administrator, Erika Marin (telephone 1-888-677-8827).
The process for responding to a complaint of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
The Head of Faculty, or the alternate, will meet with the student to discuss the concern and will provide support as needed, no later than 5 days after receiving the complaint.
The safety and security of the student is paramount and if accommodation is required, this will be undertaken.
The student will be provided with information, as needed, on emergency services for law enforcement, medical assistance, and mental health services.

The process for making a report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:

A report can be made to the Head of Faculty, Calvin LeDuc (telephone: +1 833-437-3872). If the Head of Faculty is absent or is named in a complaint, the complaint may be directed to the School Administrator, Erika Marin (telephone: +1 833-437-3872).
The report must be in writing and will include a written statement describing the complaint.

The process for responding to a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:

The Head of Faculty, or the alternate, responsible for responding to the report, will:

• notify the person providing the report that a response to the report is in progress

• meet with the student, or the person making the report to offer support and to determine what actions, enquiries or investigations may be necessary.

If accommodations are required for the safety and security of the student, these will be implemented as much as possible. These may include:

• Transfer of a student to a different class

• Rescheduling, deferral of assignments or tests

• If the alleged perpetrator or the victim/survivor is an employee, administrative leave or work from home or other interim measures may be taken during an investigation.

Except in circumstances where there is a serious safety risk to others, and/or the school has a legal obligation to act, the victim/survivor will be the one to determine what, if any, police reporting actions to pursue.

Any investigations will be conducted with sensitivity and discretion. The school is not mandated to make criminal investigations; however, it does have the responsibility to ensure a safe environment, regardless of whether a criminal investigation is undertaken.

The person making the report may withdraw the report, but the school may continue to act on the matter if it is deemed necessary to protect students.

Depending upon the nature of the report, if it is determined that a third party or outside agent should conduct an investigation, this will be arranged as quickly as possible.

A written Response to the Report will be provided to the student within 30 days of receipt of the written complaint.

The school will implement any actions or corrective measures recommended in the Response to the Report.

Reconsideration of the Response, if necessary, will be made by the Senior Education Administrator (SEA), Mario Pochat, telephone at 604-612-1171.

Resources

24-Hour Crisis and Information Line: 604-255-6344

WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre: WAVAW Connect text: 604-245-2425

VictimLinkBC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service and can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or sending an email to VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca. It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence.