# BACKGROUND All members of the Northern College community have a right to work and study in an environment that is free from any form of sexual violence and sexual harassment. This policy and its related procedure sets out the way in which the College address sexual violence and sexual harassment. It ensures th | | | |---|---| | Type | PDF | | Size | 176 KB | [Open original PDF →](https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/HR-9_Sexual-Violence-and-Sexual-Harassment-Policy.pdf) Referenced from: [Policies & Procedures](/pages/academics/policies/) ## Document text SUBJECT ## BACKGROUND All members of the Northern College community have a right to work and study in an environment that is free from any form of sexual violence and sexual harassment. This policy and its related procedure sets out the way in which the College address sexual violence and sexual harassment. It ensures that those affected by sexual violence and sexual harassment are believed and appropriately accommodated and ensures that the College has a process of investigation that protects the rights of individuals and holds individuals who have committed an act of sexual violence or sexual harassment accountable. The College is expected to be a safe and positive space where members of the College community feel able to work, learn and express themselves in an environment free from sexual violence and sexual harassment. ## POLICY Sexual violence and sexual harassment are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The College is committed to preventing sexual violence and sexual harassment and creating a safe space for anyone in our College community who has been affected by sexual violence and sexual harassment. ## SCOPE This Policy applies to all members of the College community including: all employees, governors, students, contractors, suppliers of services, individuals who are directly connected to any College initiatives, volunteers, and visitors. ## DEFINITIONS Sexual Assault - A criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. Sexual assault is any type of unwanted sexual act done by one person to another that violates the sexual integrity of the victim and involves a range of behaviors from any unwanted touching to penetration. Sexual assault is characterized by a broad range of behaviors that involve the use of force, threats, or control towards a person, which makes that person feel uncomfortable, distressed, frightened, threatened, or that is carried out in circumstances in which the person has not freely agreed, consented to, or is incapable of consenting to. | ISSUE DATE | SUPERSEDES | MANDATORY REVIEW DATE | REFERENCE | SECTION | PAGE OF | PAGE OF | | --- Source: [https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/HR-9_Sexual-Violence-and-Sexual-Harassment-Policy.pdf](https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/HR-9_Sexual-Violence-and-Sexual-Harassment-Policy.pdf)