Consent & Sexual Violence

What is Consent?

- Consent is defined in UofT's Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment:

“The voluntary agreement of an individual to engage in a sexual act. Consent is positive, active and ongoing, and can be revoked at any time."

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CONSENT?

• Ongoing/active

• Consent to each sexual activity

• Respectful - sexual activity is never owed to someone (should always be mutual)

• Consent is only obtained when a person is capable of making decisions

Creating a Culture of Consent

• Not sure if your partner has consented? - ASK! Never assume.

• Look out for each other at social events - create signals to let others know you're safe and discuss intervention methods (for bystanders) when needed.

• Stop victim blaming - survivors should always feel heard and accepted.

• Respect the boundaries of those around you.

• Break the stigma - speak about consent with your peers and partners.

• Understand the capacity to consent - e.g., not when intoxicated

• Support the different needs of marginalized people - direct individuals toward on-campus and off-campus resources that are better equipped with mental health and medical resources.

What Counts as Sexual Violence?

• Unprovoked gestures or comments of sexual nature

• Comments that target an individual's sexual orientations/preferences/identities

• Any use of force, threats, or coercion by one person towards another for sexual activity

• Any form of cyber sexual violence where intimate conversations/ photographs are shared without an individual's consent.

• Anyone in a position of power that may make advancements towards someone with more restricted power - declining such actions could lead to problems in the individual's career, academics, or relationships.

EXPERIENCES MAY DIFFER BASED ON...

• Unique circumstances

• Identifying characteristics, including race.

• Gender expression and sexual identity

IMPORTANT STATISTICS

- 1 in 4 Black girls are sexually assaulted before the age of 18. Black women are 2.5 times more likely to be murdered by their attacker.

- Indigenous women are 3x more likely to be victims of sexual assault than their non-indigenous counterparts

- 83% of women with disabilities will face some form of sexual violence in their lifetime

- About half of the reported cases of sexual violence involve people between the ages of 15-24

- 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual violence during their lifetime.

- 1 in 5 women reported experiencing acts of sexual violence during their post-secondary education

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

ON-CAMPUS

1. Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Center - Gerstein Centre

Contact: 416-929-5200

svpscentre@utoronto.ca

2. Health and Wellness Centre - 700 Bay St, 12th Floor (Counselling/health services)

Contact: 416-978-8030

OFF-CAMPUS

1. Toronto Rape Crisis Center/Multicultural Women Against Rape

24/7 support: 416-597-8808

2. Crisis Line for Male Sexual Abuse Survivors

24/7 support: 1-866-887-0015

3. Women’s College Hospital - 76 Grenville St.

Contact: 416-323-6040

4. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) - 250 College St.

24/7 Walk-in support

5. Distress Centre of Toronto

Contact: 416-408-4357 (24/7 emergency support)

APPS: Download the UofT MySSP Student Support Program Apps

EMERGENCIES

For emergencies, contact the campus safety: 416-978-2222