Indigenous St. Lawrence College is committed to fostering a safe living, learning and working environment for all College community members, free from all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) means any action, sexual or not, that harms someone because of their sexuality, gender identity, or the way they express their gender. It can be physical (like sexual activity without consent) or psychological (like threats or harassment).
Some examples of SGBV are:
- Sexual assault: Unwanted touching or sexual activity.
- Sexual harassment: Inappropriate, unwanted sexual comments, jokes or advances.
- Stalking: Repeated unwanted contact that makes someone feel unsafe.
- Sexual exploitation: Taking advantage of someone sexually, often for money or power.
Please explore this webpage for more information about SGBV, the College’s SGBV Prevention Policy, and where to seek support. We are here to help.
St. Lawrence College values respect for all individuals, civility, diversity, dignity, equality, and freedom, and is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe learning, living, social, recreational and working environment. We are also committed to maintaining a campus free of discrimination and harassment, and strive to foster an atmosphere of healthy attitudes and behaviours towards sexuality, sex and gender roles. Behaviour that contributes to a hostile and inequitable learning and working environment will not be tolerated by the College. Our commitment to supporting those who experience sexual violence is taken very seriously, and we work diligently on campus and with community partners on programs, policies and resources to ensure that our campus remains free from sexual violence.
I urge all members of the College community to review the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Policy and explore this webpage to learn about options and resources available to those who require support, or who wish to support others. We all need to work together to ensure that the College remains a safe and positive space where members of the College community feel able to work, learn and express themselves in a safe and equitable environment.
Glenn Vollebregt
President & CEO
One of the ways St. Lawrence College supports a safe, respectful and inclusive community for our students, staff and faculty is through the SGBV Prevention Policy.
The SGBV Prevention Policy, which applies to all current members of the College community and all College-related activities:
- Prohibits all forms of SGBV,
- Establishes procedures for the College to promptly respond to reports and disclosures of SGBV in a fair, trauma-informed way,
- Ensures that those impacted by SGBV are believed and appropriately supported or accommodated, and
- Establishes a process for the College to investigate incidents of SGBV that protects dignity of the individuals involved, and holds individuals responsible for SGBV accountable
SGBV Support & Resources
COnsent is key
Consent means that both people clearly say yes to being involved in the sexual activity. When it comes to sex or sexual activity, consent always needs to be present: no exceptions:
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CONSENT MUST BE: |
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Freely given. Consenting is a choice you make without pressure, manipulation, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. |
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Reversible. Anyone can change their mind about what they feel like doing, anytime. Even if you’ve done it before, and even if you’re both naked in bed. |
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Informed. You can only consent to something if you have the full story. For example, if someone says they’ll use a condom and then they don’t, there isn’t full consent. |
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Enthusiastic. When it comes to sex, you should only do stuff you WANT to do, not things that you feel you’re expected to do. |
Please watch the video below to learn about a compassionate, empathy-based approach to consent.
It Takes All of Us: Creating a Campus Community Free of Sexual Violence
"It Takes All of Us" is a free, self-paced, online training module that was developed by Concordia University and adapted for St. Lawrence College by the Student Rights & Responsibilities Office. The objective of this training is to build a culture of respect and consent at St. Lawrence College, through raising awareness and understanding of consent and sexual and gender-based violence.
It empowers students to look after each other, practice consent in their daily lives, notice problematic behaviors, and be able to support survivors of sexual violence. By completing this module, you are contributing to a campus culture of safety and respect.
Completing “It Takes All of Us” also earns you Surge Points and a special badge on URSLC! Click here to start.
If you have any questions or concerns while completing the training, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Rights & Responsibilities Office at SRRO@sl.on.ca.
For more, see our Frequently Asked Questions page.
QUESTIONS? OR NEED SUPPORT?
Contact the Student Rights & Responsibilities Office (SRRO). The SRRO can provide a range of non-emergency support services:
- Providing a safe space to talk for anyone who has been impacted by SGBV or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV),
- Connecting students to campus and community supports, as requested,
- Assisting with safety planning,
- Helping students understand their reporting options,
- Coordinating academic considerations and other supports,
- Leading SGBV and awareness prevention across the college community, and
- Providing guidance on how to respond to disclosures of SGBV or IPV.
Students do not need to submit a formal complaint with either the College or the police to access support.
SRRO@sl.on.ca
Phone: 613-544-5400, ext. 5532
Hours: Monday - Friday 8am-4pm
Book an Appointment anytime or visit us during weekly drop-in hours:
- Kingston (Student Services): Tuesdays, 9am-11am
- Brockville (virtual - click to join): Wednesdays, 9am-11am
- Cornwall (Student Services): Thursdays, 1:30pm-3pm