Reaching out for help may be difficult after an experience of violence. Please know that we believe you, and you are not alone.

If you would like the help of HRE, you can begin by contacting svsec@brocku.ca, another Human Rights and Equity Team Member, or you can fill in our anonymous online disclosure form. You can also stop by our HRE GSV drop-in centre, which is located in Thistle (TH) 128A! Our services are online and in-person.

To make a disclosure, contact our Manager of GSV Intake or another Human Rights and Equity team member, or you can fill out our anonymous online disclosure form. You can also stop by our HRE GSV drop-in centre, which is located in Thistle (TH) 128A, and a Peer-to-Peer team member can connect you with a member of our Intake team. If you want to make a disclosure anonymously and do not want any follow-up, you can use the anonymous online disclosure form and exclude any personal identifiers.

For those who do want follow-up after a disclosure, your first step with us is a chat, also known as an “Anonymous Disclosure”. This chat is confidential and anonymous. We will only record your information with your consent. You will not get anyone in trouble. The police, parents, university faculty, staff, students or coaches will NOT be contacted, unless you make that request or it is required by law.

Making an anonymous disclosure helps you explore your options and helps us guide you towards resources to help you heal. Our team is here to show you available options; you choose where you go next.

Next, we have many resources to help you process and heal after experiencing sexual violence. Our team members can assist you with navigating these resources and find ones that suit your needs. You can also visit our Connect to Resources and Services page and Trauma and Self-Care page to explore options on your own.

If interested we can talk about your options of pursuing an Informal Disclosure, External Report to Police, or Formal Report. The details of these processes are described below.

You are under NO obligation to pursue any of these options, you will still have access to accommodations, resources, and supports.

Making an Informal Disclosure is a confidential process. You get to choose who is involved and what supports you want to receive. Options include:

• Access Supports: After an informal disclosure is made, HRE will provide you with access to support, services, and accommodations. Examples might include connecting you with trauma-informed counselling, support groups, speaking with your professors regarding due dates and/or accessing medical assistance.
• Option of Alternative Resolution Processes: You may choose to participate in an Alternative Resolution Process if both you and the respondent agree. This could include transformative mediation, facilitated dialogue, voluntary training, voluntary no-contact agreements, and/ or an apology.

Note that if you begin a pathway and it’s not working for you, you may select other options, including withdrawing from the process, making a Formal Report, or deciding to file an External Police Report. You will still receive supports, services, and accommodations as needed.

Please consult the Sexual Violence Policy, Section 6.1 for details.

One option for reporting off-campus for support and file a report with your local police. We can help you get organized and give you support to help you through this process.

Accessing off-campus supports: When you come to see us, we will provide you with information on off-campus supports. You can access any support that you think is right for you, and we are here to help you explore your options. For a list of off-campus supports, please visit our webpage.

Writing a Formal Report can seem overwhelming. HRE staff are available to assist you through this process. Survivors can make a Formal Report of an alleged incident of Sexual Violence in writing to HRE on your own, or through the online form. Details described below help to explain the formal reporting process.

• Information is sourced from the Sexual Violence Policy, section 7.1.
• Respondent Involved: An important detail about filing a Formal Report is that the respondent (the alleged offender) is notified and may be involved in the process. If they choose not to participate, the University may proceed in their absence.
• Interim Measures: HRE may recommend interim measures, such as altering living arrangements or limiting contact between individuals. We will provide you with access to supports, services and accommodations that you need throughout this process. You do not need to file a Formal Report in order to obtain support, services, or accommodations (Section 12.1 of the SVP).
• After receiving a report, HRE and Brock’s legal department will determine whether to initiate an investigation. If an investigation takes place, the Complainant, Respondent, and Witnesses (if any) will be interviewed, and any relevant documents will be collected (section 8.1 of the SVP).
• HRE-led Investigation: It is not often this is necessary, but in some cases where we see a danger to the larger Brock Community, the University is required to step in. This is known as an HRE-Lead investigation.
• Report Completed: Once the investigation is completed, an investigation report will be created, which includes the Formal Report, statements, responses, documentation, and any other information the investigator deems relevant. If there is a finding of fact, the process moves to the Decision Maker (section 8.8 of the SVP).
• Decision: The Decision Maker will decide if the SVP has been breached, has not been breached, or if there is no breach but non-disciplinary measures are required (section 9.1 of the SVP).
• Appeal: The Respondent will have a chance to respond throughout this process, and appeal the decision made by the decision maker. In some circumstances, the complainant can also appeal the Decision Maker’s decision (section 11.1 of the SVP).
• Outcome: The Decision Maker will determine the level of action appropriate for the circumstance. The Decisions Maker will be responsible for ensuring the measures are implemented. Discipline measures can range from community service to expulsion. Non-disciplinary measures can also be recommended, which can include Sexual Violence awareness education and mediation (section 10.1 of the SVP).