Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
Policy Application
The Policy applies to all career college adult learners of Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College.
The Scope
The Policy applies to complaints of sexual violence or sexual harassment that have occurred on Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College campus or at one of our events and involve our adult learners.
Purpose and Intent
All of Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College adult learners have a right to study and work in an environment free of sexual violence and sexual harassment.
This document sets out our policy on sexual violence and sexual harassment, defines prohibited behaviours, and outlines our investigative processes for sexual violence and sexual harassment.
Policy Objectives
Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College is committed to providing our adult learners with an educational environment free from sexual violence and sexual harassment and treating those individuals who report incidents of sexual violence and sexual harassment with dignity and respect.
To that end Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College will provide a copy of the policy to our adult learners, and educate them together with our career college management, employees and contractors about this Policy and how to identify situations that involve, or could progress into sexual violence against our adult learners and how to reduce it.
Where a complaint has been made, under this Policy, of sexual violence or sexual harassment Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College will take all reasonable steps to investigate it, including as follows:
- providing on-campus investigation procedures to students for sexual violence or sexual harassment complaints
- responding promptly to any complaint and providing reasonable updates to the complainant and the respondent about the status of the investigation
- assisting adult learners who have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment in obtaining counselling and medical care
- providing adult learners who have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment with appropriate academic and other accommodation
- providing adult learners who have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment with information about reporting options as set out in Appendix I.
- Definition of Sexual Misconduct
- This policy prohibits sexual misconduct, which includes sexual violence and sexual harassment.
- Sexual Violence includes:
- sexual assault which is any type of an unwanted sex act done by one person to another, without that person’s consent, that violates the sexual integrity of an individual
- any violence, physical or psychological, carried out through sexual means or by targeting sexuality, including sexual abuse
- criminal harassment, including stalking and cyber bullying
- Sexual Harassment includes:
- offensive jokes of comments of a sexual nature
- displaying of pornographic or sexist pictures or materials, including online
- suggestive or offensive remarks
- unwelcome language related to gender or sexual orientation
- remarks, jokes, innuendoes, propositions, or taunting about a person’s body, attire sex or sexual orientation
- leering or inappropriate staring
- bragging about sexual prowess
- physical contact such as touching or patting with an underlying sexual connotation
- sexual solicitation or advance made by a person in a position to confer, grant or deny a benefit or advancement to the person where the person making the solicitation or advance know or ought to reasonably to know that it is unwelcome
Reporting and Responding to Sexual Violence
Adult learners, faculty and staff of Montessori Mantra Training College will take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual violence involving our adult learners on our career college campus or events by reporting immediately to the Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College Board of Directors if our adult learners have been subject to, or they have witnessed or have knowledge of sexual violence involving our adult learners, or have reason to believe that sexual violence has occurred or may occur which involves our adult learners.
Subject to paragraph 7 below, to the extent it is possible, Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College Board of Directors will attempt to keep all information disclosed confidential except in those circumstances it believes an individual is at imminent risk of self-harm, or of harming another, or there are reasonable grounds to believe that others on our campus or the broader community are at risk.
Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College recognizes the right of the complainant to determine how her or his complaint will be dealt with by police and/or Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College. However, in certain circumstances, Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College may be required by law or its internal policies to initiate an internal investigation and/or inform police without the complainant’s consent, if it believes the safety of members or its campus or the broader community is at risk. Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College will, at all times, do its best to accommodate the needs of adult learners affected by sexual violence at no cost to the student. A formal report of an incident of sexual violence is not necessary to access supports, service or accommodations.
If adult learners, in good faith, report an incident of or make a complaint about sexual violence they will not be subject to discipline or sanctions for violations of any Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College policies relating to drug or alcohol use at the time the alleged sexual violence occurred.
Adult learners who disclose their experience of sexual violence through reporting an incident of, making a complaint about, or accessing supports and services for sexual violence, will not be asked irrelevant questions during the investigation process by Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College staff or investigators, including irrelevant questions relating to the adult learner’s sexual expression or past sexual history.
A complainant seeking accommodation should contact Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College Board of Directors.
Investigating Reports of Sexual Violence
A complaint of sexual violence may be filed under this Policy, by any adult learner of our career college, to the Board of Directors, in writing.
Upon a complaint of alleged sexual violence being made, the Board of Directors will initiate an investigation, including as follows:
- determining whether the incident should be referred immediately to police
- determining what interim measures, if any, need to be taken during the investigation;
- meeting with the complainant to determine the date and time of the incident, the persons involved, the names of any person who witnessed the incident and a complete description of what occurred
- interviewing the complainant, any person involved in the incident and any identified witnesses
- interviewing any other person who may have knowledge of incidents related to the complaint or any other similar incidents
- informing the respondent of the complaint, providing details of the allegations and giving the respondent an opportunity to respond to those allegations;
- providing reasonable updates to the complainant and the respondent about the status of the investigation
- determining what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken.
Disciplinary Measures
If it is determined by Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College that an adult learner of our career college has been involved in sexual violence or sexual harassment, immediate disciplinary or corrective action will be taken up to and including termination of employment of instructors or staff or expulsion of an adult learner.
In cases where criminal proceedings are initiated, Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College will assist police agencies, lawyers, insurance companies, and courts to the fullest extent.
Where criminal and/or civil proceedings are commenced in respect of allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment, Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College may conduct its own independent investigation and make its own determination in accordance with its own policies and procedures.
Making False Statements
It is a violation of this Policy for anyone to knowingly make a false complaint of sexual violence or sexual harassment or to provide false information about a complaint. Individuals who violate this Policy are subject to disciplinary and/or corrective action, up to and including termination of employment of instructors or staff or expulsion of an adult learner.
Reprisal
It is a violation of this Policy to retaliate or threaten to retaliate against a complainant who has brought forward a complaint of sexual violence or harassment provided information related to a complaint, or otherwise been involved in the complaint investigation process.
Right to Withdraw a Complaint
A complainant has the right to withdraw a complaint at any stage of the process. However, Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College may continue to act on the issue identified in the complaint in order to comply with its obligation under this Policy and/or its legal obligations.
- Review
- This policy will be reviewed at least once every three years and will be amended as necessary.
- Collection of Adult Learner Data
- Montessori Mantra Teachers’ Training College shall collect and be prepared to provide upon request by the Superintendent of Career Colleges such data and information as required according to Subsections 32.3(8), (9) and (10) of Schedule 5 of the Career Colleges Act, 2005, as amended.
- Training
- Training will be made available to staff, adult learners, faculty and directors at the beginning of each academic year.
- Resources
Appendix 1 lists provincial rape crisis centres which could be provided as resources.
Appendix 1
Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres
Ontario
Provincial
English
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
Toll Free: 1-866-863-0511
#SAFE (#7233) on Bell, Rogers, Fido or Telus mobile
TTY: 416-364-8762
www.awhl.org
Français
Fem’aide
Telephone toll-free: 1-877-336-2433
ATS: 1 866 860-7082
www.femaide.ca
Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres
35 hospital-based centres that provide 24/7 emergency care to women. To locate the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre nearest you, follow this link.
Alliston, Barrie, Collingwood, Midland and Orillia
Huronia Transition Homes operates La Maison Rosewood Shelter (Midland) & Athena’s Sexual Assault Counselling and Advocacy Centre
24 hour crisis line:
Barrie: 705-737-2008 or 1-800-987-0799
Midland: 705-526-4211 or 1-800-461-175
Office: 705-526-3221
www.huroniatransitionhomes.ca
Belleville
Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District
Toll-Free: 1-877-544-6424
Office: 613-967-6300
www.sacqd.com
Bracebridge
Muskoka/Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services
Parry Sound District Office
Office: (705) 774-9083 or 1-877-851-6662
www.daphnewymn.com
Muskoka District Office
Office: (705) 646-2122 or 1-877-406-1268
www.daphnewymn.com
Brantford
Sexual Assault Centre of Brantford
Crisis: 519-751-3471
Office: 519-751-1164
sexualassaultcentre@sacbrant.ca
http://sacbrant.ca/
Brockville
Assault Response & Care Centre
Office: (613) 345-3881 or 1-800-567-7415
arcc@bgh-on.ca
www.arc-c.ca
Chatham
Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre
24 Hour Crisis Line: 519-354-8688
Office/TTY: 519-354-8908
http://cksacc.org/
Cornwall
Sexual Assault Support Services for Women
Office:613-932-1755
http://sassforwomen.ca/
Iethinisten:ha Women’s Shelter
Akwasasne Family Violence Program
24 Hour Crisis: 1-800-480-4208
Phone: 613-937-4322
www.akwesasne.ca/iethinistenha-women’s-shelter
Durham Region
Durham Rape Crisis Centre
Crisis: 905-668-9200
Office: 905-444.9672
info@drcc.ca
www.drcc.ca
Eganville
Women’s Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County
24 hour crisis: 1-800-663-3060
Office: 613-735-5551
www.wsac.ca
Guelph
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis
Crisis: 519-836-5710
1-800-265-7233
Office: 519-823-5806
www.gwwomenincrisis.org
Hamilton
Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton and Area)
Crisis: (905) 525-4162
Office (905) 525-4573
TTY: 905-525-4592
www.sacha.ca
Kenora
Kenora Sexual Assault Centre
Crisis: (807) 468-7233 or 1-800-565-6161
Office: (807) 468-7958
www.kenorasexualassaultcentre.com
Kingston
Sexual Assault Centre Kingston
Crisis: 613-544-6424 or 1-877-544-6424
Office: 613-545-0762
sack@sackingston.com
www.sackingston.com
Kitchener-Waterloo
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
Crisis: 519.741.8633
Office: 519.571.0121
info@sascwr.org
www.kwsasc.org
London
Sexual Assault Centre London
Crisis: 519-438-2272
Office 519-439-0844
TTY: 519-439-0690
sacl@sacl.ca
www.sacl.ca
London Abused Women’s Centre
Office: 519-432-2204
E-Mail: info@lawc.on.ca
http://lawc.on.ca/
Peel Region
Hope 24/7 (formerly the Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Centre of Peel)
Crisis:1-800-810-0180
Office: (905) 792-0821
http://hope247.ca/
Newmarket
Women’s Support Network of York Region
Crisis: 1-800-263-6734 or 905-895-6734
Office: (905) 895-3646
www.womenssupportnetwork.ca
North Bay
Amelia Rising Women’s Sexual Assault Centre of Nippising/centre d’aggressions sexuelles de nippising
Crisis: 705-476-3355
Office: 705-840-2403
TTY: (705) 840-5877
info@ameliarising.ca
www.ameliarising.ca
Oakville
Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services of Halton
Crisis: 905-875-1555 or 1-877-268-8416
Office: 905-825-3622
www.savisofhalton.org
Orangeville
Family Transition Place
Crisis: 1-800-265-9178
Office: 519-942-4122
www.familytransitionplace.ca
Ottawa
Sexual Assault Support Centre
Crisis: 613-234-2266
Phone: 613-725-2160
TTY: 613-725-1657
info@sascottawa.com
http://sascottawa.com
Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre
Crisis: 613-562-2333
Office: 613-562-2334
http://orcc.net/
Peterborough & Kawarthas
Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre
Crisis: (705) 741- 0260 or 1-866-298-7778
Office/TTY: (705) 741-0260
www.kawarthasexualassaultcentre.com
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton
Crisis: 1-800-461-7656
Office: 705.743.3526 x 130
www.ywcapeterborough.org
Sault Ste Marie
Women in Crisis (Algoma) Inc.
Crisis: 705-759-1230 or 1-877-759-1230
www.womenincrisis.ca
Sarnia-Lambton
Sexual Assault Survivors Centre Sarnia-Lambton
Crisis: 519 337-3320 or 1-888-231-0536
Office: (519) 337-3154
www.sexualassaultsarnia.on.ca
Simcoe
Haldimand & Norfolk Women’s Service
Crisis: 1-800-265-8076
TTY: 1-800-815-6419
Office: 519-426-8048
hnws@hnws.on.ca
www.hnws.on.ca
St. Catherines
Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre
Crisis: (905) 682-4584
Office: (905) 682-7258
carsa@sexualassaultniagara.org
http://sexualassaultniagara.org/
Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Crisis and Counselling Centre
Office: (807) 345-0894 or 1-866-311-5927
tbcounselling@tbsasa.org
www.tbsasa.org
Timmins
Timmins and Area Women in Crisis
Crisis: 1-877-268-8380 (sexual assault)
Crisis: 1-855-827-7233 (shelter)
Office: (705) 268-8381
info@tawc.ca
http://www.tawc.ca/
Toronto
Oasis Centre des Femmes
Téléphone : 416-591-6565
Courriel : services@oasisfemmes.org
http://oasisfemmes.org/
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre: Multicultural Women Against Rape
Crisis: 416-597-8808
Office: 416-597-1171
info@trccmwar.ca
crisis@trccmwar.ca
www.trccmwar.ca
Windsor
Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex County
Crisis: 519-253-9667
www.saccwindsor.net
Woodstock
Domestic Abuse Services Oxford
Crisis: 519 539-4811 or 1-800-265-1938
info@daso.ca
www.daso.ca
