Recognizing that there are issues related to power dynamics within experiential learning opportunities as students navigate relationships with instructors, employers and supervisors, the Office of the Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education, the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students and the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre are invested in working with staff who offer experiential learning opportunities to prevent students from experiencing sexual violence and harassment while engaging with experiential learning opportunities. Our goal is to ensure staff are prepared with consistent and shared practices to address these issues with all stakeholders (students, faculty, staff and external organizations), that staff feel prepared to provide a supportive, trauma-informed response, including referrals to support services, in the event the a student discloses an experience of sexual violence or harassment, and to encourage the embedding of these practices within experiential learning opportunities.

To support this, we are reaching out to leadership of EL units / programs across the tri-campus community to understand what is currently in place and where there might be gaps and opportunities for additional institutional support for this important topic. We invite you to be as open as possible in your responses and to share with us any thoughts, ideas and questions you have so that we can develop an approach that meets your needs. It may be the case that there are not currently robust supports or processes in place in your unit and that information in itself is extremely valuable as it will help us understand where we may be best positioned to support going forward.

The Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre is here to help and support students, staff and faculty at the University of Toronto who have been affected by sexual violence or sexual harassment. You can learn more about the Centre’s services on their website.