Creating a community free from sexual misconduct

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To: Faculty, staff and students in Vancouver and the Okanagan

A large part of the UBC experience centres on it being a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment. As we begin the winter term, we want to ensure you are aware of the Sexual Assault and Other Sexual Misconduct policy, and the progress we are making in its implementation.

If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to read Policy #131 — Sexual Assault and Other Sexual Misconduct. This policy sets out UBC’s commitments, describes the new Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office, provides important definitions, and outlines the investigation process that will take place when a complainant chooses to report sexual assault or other sexual misconduct for the purpose of investigation. You can read Policy #131 at http://universitycounsel.ubc.ca/files/2017/04/policy131.pdf

Since the policy came into effect, UBC has appointed Myrna McCallum as the Director of Investigations. Her roles focuses on ensuring that reports of sexual violence from members of the UBC community across all our locations are received and investigated sensitively and consistently, in-keeping with the principles set out in the policy. You can read more about Myrna at http://sexualviolenceresponse.ubc.ca/policy/people/#mccallum

We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Sonya Boyce as Director, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office for the Vancouver campus. Sonya will begin this role on October 16, and will have responsibility for establishing the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office. You can read more about Sonya at http://sexualviolenceresponse.ubc.ca/policy/people/#boyce. Recruitment is also underway for the Director, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office for the Okanagan campus. Further announcements will be made once the selection has been made.

Interim resources and support are available on each campus while these offices are established:

The creation of Policy #131 signals UBC’s unwavering commitment to addressing sexual assault and other sexual misconduct. In addition, UBC is carrying out the annual student-focused ‘Consent Campaign’ as well as expanding our education for faculty and staff on ‘Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Assault’.

We encourage you to take a part in this ongoing dialogue. Whether you are a student, faculty member or staff, we hope you will join us in continuing to ensure that our university is a supportive community, free from sexual misconduct.

Louise Cowin
Vice-President, Students

Lisa Castle
Vice-President, Human Resources

Hubert Lai, Q.C.
University Counsel