Education and Initiatives

Understanding Sexualized Violence

Sexualized violence is about power, force and control over the survivor. It is not about love, lust, or sexual desire. Sexualized violence can happen without physical force. A survivor may be threatened with words, manipulated or pressured into doing something they do not want to do. Or, a victim may be incapacitated and unable to provide consent.

More than 82% percent of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows – a friend, acquaintance, date, teacher, family member, instructor, advisor or coach. Sexual assault often occurs in a private place, such as the home of the survivor or offender, but can also happen in a more public place such as a party or other social event. Sexual assault can happen in dating, acquaintance, common-law or married relationships. It can happen in heterosexual and same-sex relationships.

To become a campus that supports a culture of consent, it is important that we understand the myths and truths about sexualized violence and rape culture. When you participate in a workshop, training, or event, you join others in the College community who are committed to creating a safer, more respectful campus.

An image displaying sexual violence statistics on campus.

Material excerpted from Developing a Response to Sexual Violence: A Resource Guide for Ontario’s Colleges and Universities.

We invite you to explore our interactive learning resources

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Safer Campuses for Everyone

In this training, you’ll learn about the meaning and impact of sexual violence as well as examine some of the reasons why sexual violence happens. You will learn about the importance of consent in all relationships and how to intervene to prevent sexual violence. You’ll also learn about how to find support for yourself or how to support someone else who has experienced sexual violence.

This course has four modules and should take approximately 75 minutes to complete.
This subject can be difficult. Please go at your own pace. You can also skip a section and return to it at a later time. Know that there are resources on campus and in our community that can support you.

Access the training modules here.

Facts and myths about sexualized violence

Misconceptions about sexual assault are often referred to as “rape myths” although they apply to the broad scope of sexualized violence. Myths minimize the seriousness of sexualized violence and confuse our understanding of what consent means. Unfortunately, they can also contribute to the social context in which individuals are reluctant to report, blame themselves for what happened, or worry that they won’t be believed. Myths can create a climate of victim blaming in which individuals responsible are excused for their actions.

FACT: Indigenous women are three times more likely to be victims of violence than non-indigenous women.

FACT: Sexual assault can happen in dating, acquaintance, common-law, married, heterosexual, same-sex relationships.

FACT: 83% of women with disabilities will experience some sort of violence in their lifetime.

FACT: Nine out of ten reported sexual assaults in Canada are against women.

FACT: One in six men have been sexually abused or assaulted.

FACT: Sexual assault often occurs in a private place such as the residence of the survivor or offender. but it can also happen in a public place such as a social gathering.

FACT: Most on-campus assaults occur within the first eight weeks of the start of classes.

FACT: One in five women experience sexual assault while attending a post-secondary institution.

For more information, visit Statistics Canada.

Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Committee

Established in 2016, the Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Committee is made up of a group of employees who are passionate about creating an inclusive, respectful, and safe campus that is free from all forms of sexualized violence.