Complaints About Gender-Based and Sexual Violence
Last updated March 2021
This document is a general summary of procedures for filing a formal, non-criminal Complaint about an incident of gender-based violence. The purpose of this summary is to provide a greater transparency about the Complaint process. However, each situation is unique, and many procedures vary on a case-by-case basis. If you have experienced gender-based or sexual violence, we encourage you to contact the Gender-Based Violence & Survivor Support (GBVSS) Case Manager for support, additional information, or to request a consultation (which would not require disclosure or filing a Complaint).
Individuals who have experienced gender-based and/or sexual violence may choose to make a disclosure, make a report, and/or file a formal Complaint. The majority of this document discusses filing a Complaint, but disclosure and reporting options are also summarized. In most cases, these processes are managed by the Student Support & Case Management Office (SSCMO), which is part of Student Experience. Disclosures of gender-based or sexual violence can be made about anyone, reports can be made about anyone affiliated with the University, and Complaints can be made about students or visiting students. Complaints against faculty or staff will follow procedures outlined in the Non-Discrimination and Harassment Procedures. Respondents (i.e., the person(s) about whom the complaint is being made) who hold dual roles (i.e., as students and employees) may be subject to sanction in both their roles, as multiple policies may apply to them. All of these processes are survivor-led.
Disclosure
If you would like to discuss your experience without necessarily filing a report or Complaint, you may make a disclosure via an online disclosure form and receive support from the GBVSS Case Manager or you may directly request support (without necessarily making a disclosure) via email or phone. Disclosing your experience does not automatically result in a formal Complaint being made. The Case Manager can help you decide whether you wish to proceed with a formal report or Complaint.
Report
A report will formally notify the University of an incident of gender-based or sexual violence. This will serve as a record of what is reported and is typically the initial step in making a formal Complaint. To make a report, you may fill out the Sexual Violence Reporting Form. The form fields are not mandatory, although Western will not be able to contact you to offer support or move forward unless you provide your contact information. Submitting this form does not automatically result in a formal Complaint being made. Within a few business days, you will be contacted by someone within SSCMO to set up a meeting with the Gender-Based Violence Response (GBVR) Coordinator, who will outline available supports, invite you to provide more information, and inform you of your options. You can decide whether you would like to initiate the formal Complaint process at this or a later time.
Complaint
The complaint process is guided by and unique to the needs of each survivor. The process outlined below will vary on a case-by-case basis, and the goals of the survivor will be prioritized. Informal resolution processes may also be available to survivors; please contact the GBVSS Case Manager for more information.
If you decide to make a formal Complaint, you will initiate this process with the GBVR Coordinator. Complaints typically identify the Respondent and include information about the incident (e.g., recount of events, documentation such as text messages, emails).
The Coordinator will work with the Associate Vice-President of Student Experience (AVP-SE) to determine whether an investigation should proceed and, if so, whether any non-disciplinary interim measures will be taken (e.g., moving offices). If an investigation is opened, the AVP-SE will appoint an investigator who will produce a report based on information collected from the Complainant, Respondent, and any other relevant sources. Throughout the investigation, Complainants and Respondents may have a support person (including legal counsel) present for meetings. Additionally, Complainants and Respondents may withdraw from the Complaint process at any time, but this may influence the University’s ability to continue the investigation and come to a decision.
Upon the investigation’s completion, the AVP-SE will determine if Gender-Based and/or Sexual Violence occurred. If so, they will dictate the appropriate sanction(s; e.g., warnings, privilege limitations; see Section F 19.00 for a full list). The Respondent and Complainant will then be notified of the decision, and either party can appeal it. The AVP-SE will provide access to the investigation report if it is requested by either the Complainant or Respondent. The report will be private, although certain University entities may be made aware of relevant details on a need-to-know basis (e.g., Housing may be informed that two students need to be separated).
There are no time constraints for when a Complaint may be made, but the amount of time that has passed since the incident may limit Western’s ability to investigate and respond to the Complaint (e.g., if the respondent no longer attends Western, if witnesses are difficult to reach). However, survivors are welcome to come forward regardless of how much time has passed.
The GBVSS Case Manager and/or the GBVR Coordinator are available throughout the reporting process to support and guide individuals, provided there are no conflicts of interest. Please notify them If you need accommodations at any point during the disclosure, reporting, or Complaint processes (e.g., for disabilities).
In summary, disclosing will allow you to discuss your experience and receive support without initiating a formal process; reporting will formally notify the University of an experience of gender-based or sexual violence and is often the first step in making a Complaint, which can lead to a formal investigation of the incident and possible disciplinary action. Anyone interested in any of these processes is strongly encouraged to reach out to the Gender-Based Violence & Survivor Support Case Manager or the Gender-Based Violence Response Coordinator to learn more.
Contact information:
Gender-Based Violence & Survivor Support (GBVSS) Case Manager: support@uwo.ca, 519-661-3568
Gender-Based Violence Response (GBVR) Coordinator: vyang4@uwo.ca
Equity and Human Rights Services Office: equity@uwo.ca, (519) 661-3334
Sources:
Policy on Gender-Based and Sexual Violence
Procedure for Policy on Gender-Based and Sexual Violence
Disclosures of Gender-Based and Sexual Violence
Reporting Gender-Based Violence
