Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy

Nexus College of Business, Health & Technology is committed to providing a safe, respectful, inclusive, and supportive learning and working environment. The College does not tolerate sexual violence, sexual harassment, harassment, discrimination, intimidation, threats, or any conduct that compromises the dignity, safety, or well-being of students, staff, instructors, visitors, or members of the College community.

This policy applies to all members of the Nexus College community, including students, employees, instructors, contractors, volunteers, visitors, and any individual participating in College-related activities, whether online, in person, through electronic communication, or through social media.

Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to:

provide a safe and respectful environment for all members of the College community;
outline how students and staff may report incidents of sexual violence or harassment;
ensure that complaints are handled fairly, sensitively, and confidentially;
provide access to support and information;
protect individuals from retaliation for reporting concerns in good faith;
support compliance with applicable Ontario legislation and career college requirements.

Ontario’s regulation on sexual violence policies requires institutions to outline the process for reporting incidents or making complaints, including the official or office responsible for receiving them.

Definitions

Sexual violence means any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression, whether the act is physical, verbal, psychological, or carried out through online communication, that is committed, threatened, or attempted against a person without their consent.

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual comments, advances, requests, gestures, messages, images, jokes, or conduct that a reasonable person would know is unwanted or inappropriate.

Harassment means a course of unwanted comments or conduct that is known, or should reasonably be known, to be unwelcome. This may include bullying, intimidation, discrimination, humiliation, or repeated disrespectful behaviour.

Consent means voluntary, informed, and active agreement. Consent cannot be assumed, pressured, forced, or given by someone who is unable to provide it.

Policy Statement

Nexus College will take all reports of sexual violence and harassment seriously. Any person who experiences or witnesses sexual violence, sexual harassment, or harassment is encouraged to seek support and report the matter.

A person does not have to make a formal complaint in order to receive support or information. Support may be available whether or not the person chooses to participate in an investigation.

The College will not tolerate retaliation, threats, intimidation, or unfair treatment against any person who makes a report, files a complaint, participates in an investigation, or supports someone involved in a complaint.

Reporting a Concern or Complaint

A student, staff member, or other member of the College community may report an incident of sexual violence or harassment by contacting:

College Administration / Designated College Official
Nexus College of Business, Health & Technology
Email: admin@nexuscollege.ca
Website: www.nexuscollege.ca

Once the College appoints a specific Student Services Officer, Campus Administrator, or Compliance Officer, that title and contact information should be added to this policy.

Complaints should include, where possible:

the name of the person making the complaint;
the name of the person alleged to have engaged in the conduct, if known;
the date, time, and location of the incident, if known;
a description of what happened;
any supporting documents, messages, screenshots, emails, or witness information.

Complaint Review Process

When a complaint is received, Nexus College will:

acknowledge receipt of the complaint;
review the information provided;
meet with or contact the complainant, where appropriate;
determine whether immediate safety or support measures are needed;
provide the respondent with an opportunity to respond, where an investigation proceeds;
review relevant evidence and information;
make a decision based on the facts available;
communicate the outcome in writing, where appropriate and permitted by privacy requirements.

The College will handle complaints as promptly as possible while ensuring fairness, sensitivity, and procedural fairness for all parties involved.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Nexus College will make reasonable efforts to protect the confidentiality and privacy of all individuals involved in a report or complaint. Information will only be shared with individuals who need to know in order to respond to the matter, provide support, conduct an investigation, comply with legal obligations, or protect the safety of the College community.

In some cases, the College may be required to take action or disclose information where there is a risk to safety, a legal obligation, or a requirement to protect members of the College community.

Supportive Measures

Depending on the circumstances, Nexus College may provide or arrange reasonable supportive measures, which may include:

academic support or flexibility;
changes to communication arrangements;
temporary separation of individuals involved;
referral to community, health, counselling, legal, or crisis support services;
assistance with understanding complaint and reporting options;
safety planning where appropriate.

Protection from Irrelevant Questions

During the complaint or investigation process, individuals who disclose or report sexual violence will not be asked irrelevant questions about their sexual history or sexual expression. This protection is reflected in Ontario sexual violence policy requirements and is commonly included in post-secondary sexual violence procedures.

Outcomes and Corrective Action

If the College determines that this policy has been violated, corrective action may be taken. Depending on the seriousness of the matter, this may include:

written warning;
required training or education;
restrictions on communication or access;
academic or administrative consequences;
suspension;
expulsion;
termination of employment or contract;
referral to external authorities where appropriate.

False or Bad-Faith Complaints

A complaint made in good faith will not result in discipline, even if the complaint is not proven. However, knowingly making a false complaint, providing false information, or using the complaint process for an improper purpose may result in disciplinary action.

External Options

Nothing in this policy prevents a person from contacting police, seeking legal advice, filing a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, or accessing community support services.

Students may also review Ontario’s career college student complaint information through the Government of Ontario website. The province notes that students may file complaints related to issues such as a career college not enforcing its sexual violence policy.

Review of Policy

Nexus College will review this policy periodically and update it as required to reflect applicable legislation, regulatory guidance, and College operations.