Archived Statements

What is Gender-Based and Sexual Violence?

Any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity and gender expression, whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person’s Consent, and includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism, cyber harassment and sexual exploitation.

September 17, 2021 by Tamara Will, Gender-Based Violence & Survivor Support Case Manager, Student Experience

September 17, 2021
Tamara Will, Gender-Based Violence & Survivor Support Case Manager


To all Students,

I am writing to you today in my role as the Gender-Based Violence & Survivor Support Case Manager at Western.

While gender-based and sexual violence is a pervasive issue in our community and country at all times, these past few days have especially highlighted the impact gender-based and sexual violence not only has on survivors but on communities as a whole. That impact could be seen and heard during today's walkout, which also demonstrated the power of all of us coming together.

I have heard from students, staff, and community members who are reeling and hurting from these events. Many people have reached out to my office looking for ways to support survivors. In this email I will provide campus and community resources, reporting options, how to support someone who has experienced gender-based and sexual violence, and where to get more information.

Western uses the term gender-based and sexual violence to encompass all forms of violence our student's experience. Gender-Based & Sexual Violence refers to any act that targets a person's sexuality, gender identity and gender expression. This includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism, cyber harassment, and sexual exploitation. I have heard concerns about why Western does not use the term "rape". This term refers to penetrative assault and excludes those who've experienced other forms of harm.

My role on campus is supporting students who have experienced gender-based and sexual violence at any time during their lives regardless of whether the violence occurred on-campus or off-campus.

Students do not have to disclose their experience in order to receive support. I will assist survivors in connecting to campus and community resources, review on-campus and off-campus reporting options, support them in navigating these reporting processes, and arrange for accommodations when necessary.

I am a Registered Social Worker and will provide survivors with an empathetic, non-judgmental, and confidential space to receive support. To request support please call 519-661-3568 or email support@uwo.ca.

Community Resources for Survivors

Regional Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Treatment Program at St. Joseph's Hospital provides medical care, testing, evidence collection, and safety planning to all individuals who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault. Counselling is available to individuals who've experienced an incident of sexual assault or domestic violence within the past year. Call 519-646-6100 ext. 64224 to connect with this 24/7 program or visit 268 Grosvenor St, London.

Anova provides support to female-identified survivors impacted by gender-based violence through counselling, emergency shelter, community outreach, and Family Court support. Anova also operates a 24/7 Crisis and Support Line: 519-642-3000. For inquiries regarding their services call their business line: 519-642-3003.

London Abused Women's Centre provides service to female-identified survivors over the age of 12 who have experienced exploitation, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. Survivors have access to long-term, trauma-informed counselling and advocacy. To access crisis counselling call 1-866-863-0511 or text #SAFE (#7233)

Carrefour des Femmes du Sud-Ouest de l'Ontario provides individual and group counselling to female-identified, French speaking survivors. Call 519-858-0954 or email info@carrefourfemmes.on.ca

Resources for All Students

Western Health & Wellness
 provides professional and confidential services, free of charge to students which include consultation, referral, groups and workshops, as well as brief, change-oriented psychotherapy. To schedule an appointment call 519-661-3030

Residence Counselling offers free counselling services to students who live in a Main Campus Residence. Their office is in Ontario Hall, Room 3C10, or email needtotalk@uwo.ca.

Good2Talk provides 24-hour confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario. Call 1-866-925-5454 or text "GOOD2TALKON" to 686868

CMHA Crisis Centre temporarily relocated to 534 Queens Ave, London is open 24/7 for drop-in crisis counselling. Support can also be accessed by calling or texting 519-433-2023. A web chat option is available at https://reachout247.ca

Reporting Options

Survivors of sexual assault who are living in Ontario may be eligible for up to four hours of free, confidential legal advice. Information about this service and eligibility criteria can be found at https://www.ontario.ca/page/independent-legal-advice-sexual-assault-victims

Criminal Reports of gender-based and sexual violence are made to the applicable police service where the incident occurred. To make a report to London Police Services call the non-emergency line at 519-661-5670. Western Special Constable Services (WSCS) can assist students in connecting with their local police service If you have immediate safety concerns call 911. Please note in Ontario Mandatory Charging Policy requires police to investigate and potentially lay charges in cases of domestic violence. If you speak with WSCS about violence that occurred within a dating relationship they are required to inform London Police Services.

Non-criminal Reports of gender-based and sexual violence are managed by the Student Support & Case Management Office. Western's Gender-Based & Sexual Violence Policy outlines a clear process that is followed when complaints are made. This process only applies to complaints that involve a Respondent who is a student or visiting student of the university, or at the discretion of the Provost & Vice-President (Academic). Complaints can be filed through Western's Online Reporting Form. Detailed information on the complaints process can be found in the Policy and on the following website. I can answer questions survivors may have about the reporting process and provide support throughout the complaints process. Complaints against Staff and Faculty are managed by the Human Rights Office under Western's Non-discrimination and Harassment Policy. The Human Rights Office also has an online reporting form and can offer confidential consultations.

Students do not have to choose between making a criminal and non-criminal report, survivors can decide to engage both of these reporting processes at the same time. While it is really upsetting to see people we care about being harmed ultimately the decision to report an experience of gender-based violence or not to report is solely up to the survivor.

How to Support a Survivor:

  • Help the individual find a safe environment.
  • If it is a recent assault advise the individual to seek medical attention as soon as possible.Even if there are no apparent injuries, there may be internal injuries. In London, immediate care and counselling support is available at the Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Program, located at St. Joseph's Hospital.
  • Believe the survivor.It is not your role to question whether the violence occurred.
  • The survivor is not to blame.No one deserves to be a victim of sexual violence no matter what the circumstances. Even if the survivor feels responsible, say clearly, "It was not your fault".
  • Help the survivor explore options.You may use the resources listed on the Gender-based Violence & Survivor Support Case Management website. You may accompany the survivor to any resources they wish to go to, as a support person. Give the survivor the freedom to choose the services that they feel will be most beneficial and supportive. Support the survivor's choices, even if you would make different choices.
  • Avoid any re-victimization. Allow the survivor to maintain control unless you are given permission or requested to assist. Resist passing judgment about how the survivor has handled the situation. Do not ask questions out of curiosity. Do not make excuses for the perpetrator's actions.
  • Don't be afraid to ask for help or make a referral. Be aware of the limits of your own abilities and boundaries in supporting a survivor. Share resources with the survivor so they can make informed decisions about next steps that are the best fit for them.

Where to Learn More About Gender-based & Sexual Violence:
Understanding Gender-Based and Sexual Violence
About Gender-Based Violence 
Sexual Violence 
What is Gender-Based Violence?: Domestic Violence 
What is Gender-Based Violence?: Sexual Violence 
What is Gender-Based Violence?: Harassment 
Responding to Disclosures Training 

March 19, 2019 by Jennie Massey, Associate Vice-President, Student Experience

March 19, 2019

Today, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities released a summary report on the findings from the Ontario Student Voices on Sexual Violence Survey. Top-line results across the postsecondary sector are concerning and clearly demonstrate the need for more to be done to address sexual violence.

At Western, we are disappointed but not surprised, by the findings, including the number of respondents who reported experiencing or witnessing sexual violence. As recent media reports have indicated, sexual violence is pervasive in our society, and this includes our campus. Equally disturbing is the number of Western students who responded that they were unsure how to report incidences of sexual violence and were dissatisfied with Western’s response to complaints. We take your concerns seriously.

We are already working to gain a deeper understanding of student concerns from the complete survey data.

Western is committed to working with our students to improve our educational programs on sexual violence, to make reporting violence less onerous, and to enhance supports for survivors. To date, the university has created a Sexual Violence Policy, added a Sexual Violence Response Team, a Sexual Violence Response Coordinator position and developed a framework for sexual violence prevention and education training.

But more should be done – and more will be done. That starts with really listening to our students’ concerns and advice on how to reduce violence and support survivors.

As student safety is our top priority, we must work every day to address all forms of sexual violence experienced by our students. We must foster a campus culture where all students can thrive.

I am deeply thankful to those who shared their experiences through this survey and commit to them, and all others who call our campus home, our continued focus on this issue going forward.



Jennie Massey
Associate Vice-President,
Student Experience
Western University

September 12, 2016 by Jana Luker, Associate Vice-President, Student Experience

September 10, 2016

On behalf of Western University, I wish to state our position on sexual violence, in particular in relation to a recent incident in which a disturbing message advocating sexual violence was written on the outside of a window of a rental property on Epworth Avenue near Western.

To be clear, sexual violence is not tolerated at Western. The message written on that window, which included the statement 'No means Yes', is a form of sexual violence. Its existence threatened the safety and security of our campus and wider community.

The incident was first brought to the attention of Glenn Matthews, Western’s Housing Mediation Officer, whose role is to resolve problems between students and neighbours. Glenn responded immediately and an investigation was initiated. A subsequent story quoting him appeared in the London Free Press.

First, Western takes full responsibility for not responding to the incident adequately. Given the content of the message, others should have been mobilized immediately to assist the Housing Mediation Officer when the incident came to light, including Western’s Sexual Violence Prevention & Education Coordinator, Campus Community Police Service and London Police Service, to ensure a thorough and appropriate response. To that end, the University is reviewing its response mechanisms in these kinds of serious situations and the current incident is being investigated by London Police, as well as Campus Police as a Code of Student Conduct violation.

It is also important to note Western’s Housing Mediation Officer is not positioned to represent the views of, or speak on behalf of, the University on matters relating to sexual violence and we regret he was put in that position. Glenn has since apologized and expressed sincere regret that his comments dismissed the seriousness of sexual violence and served to damage the University’s initiatives to eliminate such abhorrent activity: “The statement scrawled on the Epworth Avenue address is disgusting and there is no excuse for those words being posted. They have no place in our community, or anywhere. None of these outcomes were my intent and I am sorry my words caused harm or distress to anyone.”

Sadly, we continue to live in a culture that often trivializes sexual violence and blames survivors. This incident serves to reinforce the responsibilities each and every one of us must adopt regarding sexual violence as we work toward shifting that culture to one where consent is the norm.

The following sexual violence awareness and education initiatives have either recently taken place or were planned in advance, however this incident is a stark reminder that we must continue to prioritize sexual violence prevention at Western and work to actively educate our staff, faculty and students to be upstanders, individuals who act to reduce harm and address attitudes and behaviours that are sexually violent.

  • In October 2015, Western University received a $381,000 grant from the Ontario Women’s Directorate to develop, research and implement an upstander training program designed to build knowledge, skills, attitudes and awareness of sexual violence on Ontario postsecondary campuses. This includes updating Western’s existing upstander training program for undergraduate students and developing new programs focused on graduate students and faculty/staff.
  • More than 150 senior academic and administrative leaders attended a campus sexual violence education forum (April 2016).
  • Western’s Centre for Education and Research on Violence Against Women and Children (CREVAWC) held a sexual harassment prevention training session for faculty and staff (July 2016).
  • Western is currently reviewing the University’s sexual violence policy and undertaking various consultation efforts with members of Western’s community (September 2016).
  • October 17 to 23 is Sexual Violence Awareness Prevention and Education Week on campus, during which a lunch and learn session is scheduled for faculty and staff and Jackson Katz, educator, author and filmmaker internationally renowned for his scholarship and activism on issues of gender and violence, will deliver a keynote.
  • CREVAWC recently received a grant from the Ontario government to develop training for those responding to disclosures of sexual violence.
  • Western is currently developing a sexual violence prevention and education program for faculty and staff that will be launched next year.

To learn more about sexual violence prevention and education at Western, please visit www.uwo.ca/sexualviolence.

Jana Luker
Associate Vice-President,
Student Experience
Western University


September 10, 2016 by Jana Luker , Associate Vice-President, Student Experience

September 10, 2016

Sexual violence is not tolerated at Western.

As we begin another year, it is particularly important to re-state this message. It is a message that we all must hear and understand.

At Western, we actively work to educate, challenge and influence our community to be upstanders. Upstanders are individuals who act to reduce harm and address attitudes and behaviours that are sexually violent. We all have a shared responsibility to create an environment where we are educated on issues pertaining to sexual violence, survivors are supported and incidents of sexual violence are addressed.   

We cannot ignore that in North America there exists a culture that often trivializes sexual violence and blames survivors. Education programs at Western University are actively working to shift this culture on campus to one where consent is normalized and all individuals are respected through actions and words.

Sexual violence is any violence, physical or psychological, carried out through sexual means or by targeting sexuality, gender identity or gender expression. This includes sexual abuse, sexual assault or rape. It also includes sexual harassment, stalking, indecent or sexualized exposure, degrading sexual imagery, voyeurism, cyber harassment, trafficking and sexual exploitation.

As such, Western condemns any and all incidents that threaten our community through any of these behaviours or actions.

Further, Western is committed to a survivor-centric approach in dealing with sexual assault. From that basis, we also ensure that all acts of sexual violence within our community will be addressed and individuals who have committed an act of sexual violence will be held accountable.

Jana Luker
Associate Vice-President, Student Experience
Western University


Information to know:

In recent years, Western has taken a number of steps to prevent and respond to sexual violence, including:

• Students have multiple ways they can report sexual violence, including to the Sexual Violence Prevention Education Coordinator, residence staff, Equity & Human Rights Services and Campus Community Police Service; and

• Orientation Week programming, for all first-year undergraduate students, includes several keynote addresses on the topic of consent, sexual violence and bystander intervention

• Western is represented at the vice-president level in ongoing discussions with other Ontario universities on best practices in preventing and responding to sexual violence.

• Student Health Services operates extended hours including Saturdays;

The university has a dedicated Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Committee that actively delivers education programs for the Western community. The committee includes voices from across campus, including representatives from Campus Community Police Services, Western’s Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children, Communications & Public Affairs, Equity & Human Rights Services, Housing & Ancillary Services, Indigenous Services, School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, Student Development Centre, Student Health Services, Western International, as well as students and community partners.  In 2015-2016 academic year members of this committee created a consent poster campaign and consent awareness video - that went viral and hosted two forums on the topic of consent and engaging men in sexual violence prevention. Plans for this year include another forum, training for staff and faculty and a dedicated campus wide Consent and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, scheduled for October 17-23.


March 31, 2016


March 31, 2016

Position marshals resources against sexual violence

Paul Mayne // Western News

Everyone has a role to play in Angela Treglia’s job.

“It’s all of our responsibilities to look at ways we can educate ourselves, and each other, on prevention,” said the university’s Sexual Violence Prevention Education Co-ordinator. “Sexual violence is not a woman’s issue; it affects all of us. We all need to be doing something.”

In the role for two months, Treglia previously worked as a Residence Manager and, more recently, as Program Co-ordinator for Housing and Ancillary Services, where her focus was on sexual violence awareness. She believes her new role is a natural progression from there.

“My passion lies in sexual violence prevention work,” said Treglia, who is on a one-year secondment. “It’s something that really connects for me. It’s a topic near to my heart.”

This new position is something the university, along with the University Students’ Council (USC) and Society of Graduate Students (SOGS), wanted to initiate for some time. Funding from the Ontario Women’s Directorate made the position possible.

“We’ve been pushing for a position like this to ensure that conversations happening on a committee level don’t stay within those meetings,” Alex Benac, USC Vice-President (Internal), said last fall. “We needed someone to enact organized, cross-campus campaigns and that’s where this role comes in.”

Previously, the subject of ‘sexual violence’ fell to a host of departments and individuals across campus. This new role provides a centralized approach for the university.

Treglia is not a counsellor. She acts as a resource for individuals who have experienced sexual violence, as well as for those supporting survivors of sexual violence, by helping them navigate the system. Her work focuses on supporting students who are survivors of sexual violence.

“The survivors who come in my office are such amazing and strong individuals; the resiliency you see and hear, the strength is awesome and very powerful for me,” she said.

While victim focused, Treglia said she would never turn anyone away. She also helps faculty and staff understand how they can better support their students.

“Sometimes survivors don’t want to come into my office because I am a stranger to them. Most will disclose to their friends before going to any sort of authority figure, such as myself, the police or administration,” said Treglia, who promises confidentiality in all her conversations. “Sometimes those friends will be wondering how they can offer support. They can contact me to help them be aware of the resources they can share, so no matter who a survivor comes out to, they get a compassionate response and they (friend) will know who to refer them to.”

Some grant money will be used to improve Western’s Upstander Programming, which aims to develop a culture of looking out for one other on campus. Through training programs, educational videos and awareness weeks, the plan is to have a campus community where students and staff are equipped with skills to intervene in any situation that may negatively impact the Western community.

The need is in the numbers. Studies suggest 67 per cent of all Canadians personally know at least one woman who has been sexually or physically assaulted.

“It is not isolated and it is not a new issue. It has been around forever. We are seeing it talked about as more and more survivors are coming forward. That has a lot to do with decreasing the stigma,” Treglia said. “When you look at the statistics, they have stayed fairly consistent over decades. That is troubling. There is a serious issue that has been left unaddressed for so long.”

In recent years, Western has taken a number of steps to prevent and respond to sexual violence, including:

  • Student Health Services operates extended hours including Saturdays;
  • All first-year students attend an information session each September on their rights and responsibilities when it comes to sexual consent – this is on top of the information they receive in residences;
  • The university has a dedicated Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Committee, a working group of the Safe Campus Advisory Partners committee. The committee includes voices from across campus, including representatives from Campus Community Police Services, Western’s Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children, Communications & Public Affairs, Equity & Human Rights Services, Housing & Ancillary Services, Indigenous Services, School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, Student Development Centre, Student Health Services, Western International, as well as students and community partners;
  • Students have multiple ways they can report sexual violence, including to the Sexual Violence Prevention Education Co-ordinator, residence staff, Equity & Human Rights Services and Campus Community Police Service; and
  • Western is represented at the vice-president level in ongoing discussions with other Ontario universities on best practices in preventing and responding to sexual violence.

In September 2014, Western adopted its first standalone Policy on Sexual Violence . Prior to that, sexual violence was – and still is to some extent – addressed by both the Code of Student Conduct and Non-Discrimination/Harassment Policy .

All this adds to the mix of a university taking the issue seriously.

“Not to take away from the work that has been done by so many over the years,” Treglia said, “but we are at a stage now where people, the government and university administration are getting involved. A lot of key pieces are now coming together.”

Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Program
Staffed 24/7, St. Joseph’s Hospital, London (directions)
519 646-6100 ext 64224

Western Special Constable Services
Lawson Hall, Rm. 1257 (24/7)
From a campus phone: call 911 or x83300 (non-emergency line)
From a cell phone: call 519-661-3300
*For reports of gender-based violence, WSCS will connect you with the local police service.

Gender-Based Violence & Survivor Support Case Manager
519 661-3568
support@uwo.ca

Anova (formerly Sexual Assault Centre of London)
24 hour crisis & support line: 
519 642-3000

CMHA Crisis Centre & Reach Out
24/7 Crisis and Support Services
In person: 648 Huron St, London (directions)
Phone: 519 433-2023
Webchat

Human Rights Office
519 661-3334 (non-emergencies only)

Residence Counselling
Ontario Hall, Room 3C10
needtotalk@uwo.ca 

Independent Legal Advice for Sexual Assault Survivors
Survivors of sexual assault may be eligible for up to four hours of free, confidential legal advice.

Indigenous Wellness Counsellor

Zhwwanong 24 Hr Emergency Women's Shelter for First Nations women and their children
256 Hill St, London, Ontario
Phone: 1-800-605-7477

Trans Lifeline: 
877-330-6366