A student who has experienced sexual and/or gender-based violence has the following options, which may be accessed in any order or simultaneously.
Receive Immediate Medical Attention and/or Crisis Support
For Trent Peterborough students:
- During office hours (9:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.) phone or visit Health Services at 705-748-1481, Blackburn Hall 111, Trent University, Peterborough.
- Peterborough Regional Health Centre (Women's Health Care Centre) - Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence program, Sexual Abuse program, and various health programs. The Sexual Assault Response team is available 24hrs a day through the Emergency Department at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
- Phone: 705-743-4132
- Address: 1 Hospital Dr., Peterborough, ON, K9J 7C6
- For more information on supports at PRHC , please visit Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.
- Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre (KSAC)—Free confidential and immediate support is available 24/7 by phone, text, and online webchat:
- Phone: 705-741-0260
- Text: 705-710-5234
- Online Webchat Here
- Website: Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre
For Trent Durham students:
- Lakeridge Health - Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Care Centre (DVSACC) - Information and emotional support for anyone who has experienced sexual and/or gender-based violence or who needs information, services, emergency medical services (24hrs), and/or community referrals.
- Phone: 905-576-8711
- Email: jheeps@lakeridgehealth.on.ca
- Address: 1 Hospital Ct., Oshawa, ON, L1G 2B9
- For more information on supports at Lakeridge, please visit Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSACC).
- Durham Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) - 24/7 Crisis/Immediate Support and Assistance: 905-688-9200. Individual Counselling, Group Counselling, Counselling for Survivors of SV/GBV, Public Education, Advocacy, and Accompaniment Services.
- Phone: 905-444-9672
- Email: info@drcc.ca
- Address: 8 King Street East, Oshawa, ON L1H 8T2
- Website: DRCC Site
For all students:
Healthcare personnel can also assist with sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests, pregnancy and pregnancy testing, and with preventative strategies, methods, and/or medications. They can attend to any physical pain or injuries that may have been caused by an incident(s) of sexual and/or gender-based violence and offer additional supports related to physical and bodily needs.
When a recent sexual assault has been experienced, the Sexual Assault Nurse can collect evidence for up to 12 days post-assault regardless of showering; however, less evidence is accessible as more time passes.
This evidence is usually kept for six months and may be helpful if the person who has experienced harm chooses to report to the police.
- NOTE - The collection of evidence does not initiate a formal report to the police. This information would only be released to the police with consent from the person who has experienced harm.
- Evidence can be stored confidentially and applied at a later date or never used. It is up to the person who has experienced harm to make that decision for themselves.
- It is always a good idea to attend to the physical needs with the support of medical professionals.
All sexual assault nurse services are free and confidential.
Connect with the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Team for Support and Advocacy
Share your experience with a professional staff trained to receive disclosures: if you have experienced sexual violence and would like to receive support in accessing services and accommodations, please reach out to (705) 748-1011 ext. 7792 or email consent@trentu.ca. Accommodations include academic consideration, room relocation, withdrawal from classes, tuition refunds, etc. The person receiving the disclosure does not need to know all the details of the incident and will assist you based on your needs. A disclosure is not a report; the University will not investigate or take disciplinary action against the person you state has caused you harm (respondent) unless there is clear evidence that there is an imminent risk of physical harm to someone. You do not need to participate in any investigation, and your confidentiality will be maintained unless it is necessary for the purpose of protecting members of the Trent community. The person receiving the disclosure will:
- Inform you of all on and off-campus supports available to you;
- Facilitate contact with Campus Safety to assist if there is an imminent safety threat, including interim measures such as relocating or prohibiting the person who caused harm from accessing campus;
- Refer you to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Team (SVPRT) [if this isn’t the staff member you have disclosed to and you would like additional support]. They can provide you with safety planning, advocacy, and support figuring out your options
- Maintain confidentiality unless there is an imminent threat of serious physical harm to any person.
Connect with Campus Safety for Reporting Options
This option formally notifies the University of an incident of sexual violence in order to initiate the investigation and/or resolution process. This report will be recorded and documented. If the person who caused harm is a Trent employee, the Workplace Violence and Harassment Policy will be used. In the event the person who caused harm is both an employee and a student, the Workplace Violence and Harassment Policy will be used if the incident was related to their job duties. You are welcome to bring a support person with you when you speak with Campus Safety.
Campus Safety will:
- Take your contact information and any details of the incident you wish to share at this point. In addition to providing the information and support listed in Option 2, they will explain your many options.
- Arrange a safety plan and access to supports as necessary.
- If there is an imminent threat to someone’s safety, Campus Safety may prohibit the person who caused harm from accessing campus for up to 72 hours so that the Threat Assessment Team can be quickly convened to determine appropriate safety measures during the investigation.
A. Report for Information Only
- Your report can be documented for future reference in case there are patterns of behaviour.
B. Restorative/Mediated Options
- Explain that non-judicial resolutions such as mediation is available if both the person who experienced harm and the person who caused harm agree. You do not have to face the person to mediate the situation; staff can assist in this process. If you wish to access this type of resolution, Campus Safety will refer you to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Team and/or Student Affairs. This option is focused on outcomes and reaching a resolution. There is no admission of guilt necessary. If the process is not successful, you still may proceed with the investigation.
C. Formal Report Option
- Advise the Manager, Campus Safety, who will investigate the complaint, and may arrange a meeting with you.
- Investigate the report—speak with all parties involved
- Create a fact-finding report based on evidence and interviews to inform potential outcomes
To connect with Campus Safety, go to their website. In an emergency call, call 705-748-1333 (Peterborough) or 905-435-5111 (Durham).
Reporting with Local Authorities
You can file a report with local police. You must go to the closest precinct to where the incident occurred.
If the University is made aware of a police investigation, Campus Safety can still assist you with access to supports and services. You may also consider filing a report with Campus Safety in the event the police decline to pursue charges. If the police begin an investigation, your Campus Safety investigation will be on hold.
In any emergency situation on campus you are encouraged to call Peterborough Security at 705-748-1333, Durham Security at 905-435-5111, or the Police at 911. For off campus emergencies you are encouraged to call the police at 911 if you feel safe to do so.