This spring, George Brown College (GBC) updated its Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Policy, a policy everyone in the college community should review. GBC's Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Advisors Aryan Esgandanian and Rhoda Lee are two people everyone in the college community should know.
The policy demonstrates GBC's commitment to preventing sexual violence and promoting a consent culture. It outlines the process to disclose, seek support, report, and make a complaint. Esgandanian and Lee provide support for students and employees around sexual and gender-based violence.
"Our role is to be the first point of contact when it comes to disclosures regarding sexual or gender-based violence," Esgandanian says. "We also provide support, resources and referrals. We provide the information and consultations if someone wants to go through the complaint or an alternative resolution process."
When should I connect with a Sexual & Gender-Based Violence Response Coordinator?
Anyone with a question or concern is encouraged to reach out and speak with an advisor. You don't need to have a complaint; you can connect if you're unsure about something.
People who speak with an advisor can launch a complaint resolution process, but it is not mandatory.
GBC community members are strongly encouraged to contact the advisors if they have witnessed sexual or gender-based violence, and employees have a duty to do so.
"We have been trained to make coming forward less triggering and more calming for people seeking support and resources," Esgandanian says.
What is Sexual Violence?
Sexual violence is an umbrella term that covers any sexual act or acts targeting a person's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, whether the act is online, physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person's consent.
Sexual violence includes a range of behaviours, including, but not limited to, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, stalking, indecent exposure, human trafficking, voyeurism, sexual exploitation, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual coercion, cyber sexual harassment, technology-facilitated sexual abuse, recording and distribution of a sexually explicit photograph, stealthing, sexual solicitation, sexual innuendos, stalking, intimate partner violence, etc.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN AN ONLINE ENVIRONMENT
The potential for sexual violence doesn't go away when students are learning off campus. Consent is critical to online interactions, whether video conferences, emails, texts, direct messages or group chats.
Examples of online sexual violence could include:
- making sexualized comments about someone, such as expressing romantic interest or attraction repeatedly,
- refusing to take no for an answer,
- taking images of someone (screen grabs) or sharing inappropriate images, and
- using social media to stalk or harass someone.
If you've had an online experience that felt uncomfortable and was of a sexual nature, you can talk to the advisors about it. Advisors provide the same support for incidents that happen in person or online.
"There are times when sexual harassment may happen online," Lee says. "We will look into those matters, and we can go through the complaint process to deal with those issues if that's what is appropriate."
HOW DO I CONNECT WITH AN ADVISOR?
You can connect with GBC's Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Advisors by email at svra@georgebrown.ca. You can also call 416-415-5000 ext. 3450.
HELP CULTIVATE A CULTURE OF CONSENT
We are all responsible for contributing to the consent culture of George Brown. You can do this by:
- familiarizing yourself with George Brown College's Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Policy,
- using critical thinking to identify the normalization of sexual violence in our spaces and how this might impact someone,
- thinking about your own words and actions, and
- saying something when you see something, as long as it's safe. If you notice something inappropriate, try to call people into conversations respectfully instead of calling them out.
Esgandanian and Lee say education is crucial to cultivating a consent culture. Look out for education opportunities led by GBC's sexual education coordinator. Follow the Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Human Rights Services (OAREHRS) on Instagram @oarehrsgbc and email svra@georgebrown.ca for educational opportunities or training.
Creating a culture of consent starts by practicing it in many aspects of our interactions with others, not just during sexual activity. This can include asking for a hug before embracing someone or asking to take a photograph before doing so.
