Sexual and Gender-based Violence
The University of Guelph is committed to creating an open and transparent culture around preventing and addressing sexual and gendered violence and to fostering an environment that better protects the community against all forms of violence.
Upholding this commitment requires the University to integrate the principles of community safety and safe disclosure carefully and thoughtfully into all University planning and operations. Furthermore, the University must have clear and effective policies and procedures to inform and shape a positive campus culture.
Policy and Procedures
The University’s Sexual Violence Policy sets out the principles that apply when allegations of sexual and gender-based violence are brought forward in the University community. The goals of this policy are to:
- support survivors
- ensure procedural fairness and due process for all parties
- hold those who have engaged in sexual violence accountable; and
- support the safety and wellbeing of University community members
The policy also identifies appropriate procedures for students and for faculty and staff.
To ensure that the University can continue to meet the needs of its community, the Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures are reviewed and updated regularly.
Steering Committee on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Violence
Combatting sexual violence requires communal, collaborative action, including involvement from units and departments across our campuses. The Steering Committee on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Violence (PASV) was created in 2021 to provide oversight and guidance around University policies, procedures and programs relating to sexual and gender-based violence.
PASV Terms of Reference and Committee Composition
Community Engagement
Inappropriate sexual behaviour will not be tolerated on our campuses. To ensure that U of G can deliver upon its commitment to provide a safe space for all members of our community, we must learn from our experiences – successes and failures – to build a better tomorrow.
Members of the University of Guelph and a group of alumni athletes have been working with the aid of external facilitators to create a restorative process aimed at hearing from alumni athletes and associated Athletic staff who were connected to the cross-country and middle-distance programmes since the late 1990’s. Together, the Design Group has created a process that enables the University to further learn about the range of experiences that impacted the well-being and success of students and student-athletes. More information is available on the Restorative Justice Design Process web page.