All members of McGill have the right to unequivocal support from the Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support, and Education (OSVRSE), regardless of whether they file a formal report or not.
OSVRSE can provide support services, help you obtain academic or workplace accommodations, and explain different reporting processes—whether you are considering reporting through McGill's Policy against Sexual Violence or externally—so that you can decide what is right for you. It is not necessary to file a formal report in order to access support, seek accommodations, or obtain information from OSVRSE. You can book an appointment directly with OSVRSE here.
If you are ready to file a report through McGill's Policy against Sexual Violence or would like to learn more about the processes available (mediation/investigation), then please reach out to the Office for Mediation and Reporting (OMR). Visit our Book a Consultation page to learn more.
All members of the University community have the right to work and learn in an environment that is free from sexual violence. The University recognizes that while sexual violence impacts all members of society, sexual violence and its consequences may disproportionately affect members of social groups who experience intersecting forms of systemic discrimination or barriers (on grounds, for example, of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, Indigenous identity, ethnicity, disability or class).
What is sexual violence?
Sexual violence is an umbrella term for a range of acts of a sexual nature that are threatened, attempted or committed towards a person without that person’s consent. It may be directed towards a person's sexual orientation, sexual or gender expression, or gender identity. Sexual violence includes but is not limited to sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, cyberviolence, non-consensual distribution of sexual images, voyeurism, etc.
McGill’s Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education (OSVRSE) has more information about sexual violence on its website.
Policy definition
The official McGill definition of sexual violence can be found in section 7(k) of McGill's Policy against Sexual Violence:
“Sexual Violence” means sexual act or acts targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression that is committed, threatened, or attempted against a person without the person’s Consent and may occur in person, in writing, by phone, or by any means of communication, including online and social media. Sexual violence can be committed by anyone, including but not limited to a spouse, an intimate or dating partner, a friend or acquaintance, a family member, a known individual, or a complete stranger. In this Policy, Sexual Violence includes:
i) sexual assault, meaning sexual contact with another person without that person’s Consent;
ii) sexual harassment, meaning Conduct of a Sexual Nature
A) whereby sexual activity:
- is made an explicit or implicit term or condition of an individual’s employment or status in a course, program, or activity; or
- is used as a basis for an employment or educational decision affecting an individual; OR
B) the effect of which is to impair that person’s work or educational performance where it is known or ought to be known that the conduct is unwelcome;
iii) stalking, meaning repeatedly watching or following another person, where the person making a Disclosure or Report feels that the stalking is connected with gender or sexual identity;
iv) indecent exposure, meaning exposing one’s genitals in a public place or to another person in a manner that is threatening or offensive;
v) voyeurism, meaning the surreptitious observation or recording of a person by mechanical or electronic means;
vi) distribution, sharing, or sending of sexual images, meaning the distribution, sending, or permitting the viewing of an image, photo, or video of a sexual nature without the Consent of the person who is the object or recipient of the image, photo, or video; and
vii) sexual exploitation, meaning abuse or exploitation of another person's sexuality for the purpose of sexual gratification, financial gain, personal benefit or advantage, or any other non-legitimate purpose.
Investigation Process
Mediation Process
Additional Resources
Book a Consultation
