McMaster University’s Sexual Violence Response Protocol
Guide for Instructors and Staff
Contents
Scope of the Response Protocol 1
Key resources in enacting the Response Protocol 1
How do instances of sexual violence usually come to the attention of instructors and staff? 1
What should we do when a member of the McMaster community discloses sexual violence? 1
If the disclosure has come by email or in an assignment 2
Respond to the disclosure: 2
Describe opportunities for support, and facilitate connection with these supports 2
If the disclosure is in person 2
Find out if there is an immediate risk of harm, and act if there is. 2
If there is no immediate risk of harm, respond to the disclosure 2
Describe opportunities for support, and facilitate connection with these supports 3
If the survivor is someone who reports to you, or a student of yours: make a plan for safety in the workplace/ classroom 3
Scope of the Response Protocol
All instances of sexual violence that
§ have occurred or are occurring during University-related activities or
§ are experienced by any member of the University and may have effects within the educational, residential or employment setting
Key resources in enacting the Response Protocol
§ The Sexual Violence Response Protocol is at svrp.mcmaster.ca
The website includes sections on getting support, and giving support.
§ Meaghan Ross is McMaster’s Sexual Violence Response Coordinator: 905.525.9140 x 20909 [during university business hours]
§ The Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton & Area 24hr Support Line at 905.525.4162 [after 4.30 pm]
How do instances of sexual violence usually come to the attention of instructors and staff?
Most commonly, a student experiencing violence or the effects of violence, requires accommodation on an assignment and so approaches the instructor. Some course assignments, as well, prompt or allow disclosures of violence.
What should we do when a member of the McMaster community discloses sexual violence?
Our overarching goal should be to connect the survivor with Meaghan Ross, the Sexual Violence Response Coordinator. However this referral is not always straightforward, and not the only thing we must do:
§ If there is an immediate threat of harm, we must act right away
§ Once someone begins a disclosure they often want or need to keep talking: and it’s important that we respond well [not inadvertently reinforcing blaming or shaming messages, not appearing to shuffle the person off to another office]
§ If the survivor is someone who reports to us, or a student of ours, we are responsible for taking steps to create a safe work / learning environment
The basic steps are:
§ If the disclosure is in person: Find out if there is immediate risk of harm, and act if there is
§ Respond to the disclosure
§ Describe opportunities for support, and facilitate connection with these supports
§ If the survivor is someone who reports to you, or a student of yours: Make or facilitate a plan for safety in the workplace/ classroom
The steps happen differently depending on whether the disclosure is by email or in an assignment, or in person.
If the disclosure has come by email or in an assignment
Respond to the disclosure:
§ “I’m marking your assignment in [course], and you refer in your paper to ‘xxx’”
§ Write something human and validating: ”I am glad that you told me”, or “it’s good that you told me, that can’t have been easy/ that took courage.”
§ If the disclosure came in the context of an accommodation request, explain how you can meet that request
Describe opportunities for support, and facilitate connection with these supports
§ Write something like:
o If you are in any immediate danger, you can contact McMaster Security Services at 905.525.9140 x 24281 (or dial “88” from a University phone) or the Hamilton Police Services
o There are people on campus who know a lot about violence, and whose job it is to support you and help you learn about your options. Meaghan Ross is the Sexual Violence Response Coordinator, you can learn about what she does here: http://svrp.mcmaster.ca/get-support
If the disclosure is in person
Find out if there is an immediate risk of harm, and act if there is.
§ Ask: Is someone trying to hurt you now? Do you have any concerns about your safety on campus, once you leave this office? Is there any chance that anyone else on campus is at risk of harm?
o If the violence is in the context of an intimate partnership, do not assume that the person is in immediate danger. Ask: Are there signs that the violence is escalating right now?
o Survivors may minimize their risk; be sure you are not also doing this. Be patient.
§ If there is reason to believe there is an immediate risk of harm
o On campus: contact McMaster Security Services at 905.525.9140 x 24281 or dial “88” from a University phone
o If the survivor believes they will be at risk or harm when they return home: contact Meaghan or the Equity and Inclusion Office. After 4:30 pm, contact the Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area at 905.525.4162
If there is no immediate risk of harm, respond to the disclosure
§ If the disclosure happens quickly and the survivor does not appear to want to talk more
o Say something human and validating: “I am glad that you told me”, or “it’s good that you told me, that can’t have been easy/ that took courage.”
o If the disclosure came in the context of an accommodation request, explain how you can meet that request
§ If the person is telling you / seems to want to talk to you about what’s happened
o Interrupt gently to let them know about the limits of confidentiality: you are committed to keeping what they tell you confidential – but there are limits to confidentiality:
§ If you learn that they or others are in immediate physical danger
§ If reporting is required by law; for example, if you suspect the abuse of someone under the age of 16, or to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, or there are reasonable grounds to be concerned for the risk of future violence.
· It is sometimes difficult to make the assessment about whether reporting is required; if in doubt, you can contact Meaghan [it is also not possible for us to provide clearer direction on this here, as it’s very case specific]
o Listen without judgement; do not probe for details
Describe opportunities for support, and facilitate connection with these supports
§ Say something like: “There are people on campus and in the community who know a lot about violence, and can support you and help you learn about your options. You can call them from here… or if you want, I can call for you, and ask the questions you have. You don’t need to give your name. Would you like to do this…?”
o If the survivor wants to call, give them the phone number. Offer to sit with them, but if they’d prefer to be alone, give them privacy
o If the survivor gives you explicit permission to place the call on their behalf,
§ Identify yourself by name and position at the University
§ Note that you are calling for someone else
§ Ask any questions the survivor wishes answered
§ Be sure to note the name, email address and extension number of a specific person with whom the survivor may follow up
o If the survivor is reluctant or says no: do not pressure them, just be sure they know about the available resources
If the survivor is someone who reports to you, or a student of yours: make a plan for safety in the workplace/ classroom
§ We are responsible for creating a safe work / learning environment [McMaster University Policy on Violence in the Workplace]. This includes anticipating the possibility that the perpetrator will try to learn about the survivor through University channels, and / or come to campus to threaten the survivor, etc.
§ Ask: How can we ensure your safety at work/ in class?
o Ideas to offer: screen calls and visitors; remind staff to keep all information confidential; make alternate work or study arrangements; arrange for the Student Walk Home Attendant Team 905-525-9140 ext. 27500 to accompany the survivor to and from their vehicle or the bus stop
o Put things in place that the survivor wishes to have in place, in consultation as needed with the Chair or Administrator of the Department
§ Discuss further with Meaghan as needed
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