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Sexualized Violence Policy (GP 44) Review

2023-2024 Policy Review

BC post-secondary institutions are required by the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy Act (2016) to review their sexualized violence policies every 3 years. 2023-2024 is the second review of SFU’s Sexual Violence and Misconduct Prevention, Education and Support Policy, GP 44. The current review of GP 44 began over the Summer 2023 term and was completed in Fall 2024. The following timeline summarizes the most recent review process:

  • September-October 2023: Initial consultation with key policy stakeholders
  • November-December 2023: Draft of revised policy in response to first round of consultation
  • Winter 2024: Open consultation with SFU community 
  • May-June 2024: Second draft of revised policy
  • Summer 2024: Draft of revised policy shared with senior leadership and Senate
  • September 26 2024: Revised policy approved by SFU Board of Governors

About the Revised Sexualized Violence Policy (GP 44)

Key amendments to the Policy include:

  • Modernizing the title of and language used in the policy by replacing “sexual violence and misconduct” with “sexualized violence”.
  • Adding a new section under s.3.6 to include a time limit from the last instance of sexualized violence experienced for the intake of a Report once an individual is no longer a member of the University Community. This aligns with timelines set out in the BC Human Rights Code.
  • Providing more information in s.8.5.2 to bring clarity to the Reporting process.

Read the Revised Policy

Key amendments to Appendix A (Definitions) include:

  • Updating s.2.15’s definition of “University Community” to include “or agreement”. This change allows us to include FIC students in the policy.
  • Updating s.2.2 by substituting the term “accommodation” with “concession” to better align with SFU’s Accessibility for Students with Disabilities Policy (GP 26).
  • Updating s.2.3.2’s definition of “Consent” to include “or who is incapacitated by alcohol or drugs”. This is a response to student feedback and provides more clarity.

Read the Revised Appendix A (Definitions)

A set of Procedures was added to align, where appropriate, with the Human Rights Policy (GP 18) and the Bullying and Harassment Policy (GP 47).

  • The inclusion of s.6.0 allows the SVSPO to intake “anonymous allegations” to support ongoing educational efforts and support the University in determining if there is evidence of significant risk to health and safety.  
  • Examples of “interim measures” (s.10.3), “informal resolutions” (s.11.0), and “disciplinary sanctions” (s.13.2) were included for better clarity.

Read the GP 44 Procedures

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank the many SFU community members and groups who engaged in the policy review process and shared their insights and feedback, including the University’s Executive Team, the Office of the General Counsel, Faculty Relations, Human Resources/Labour Relations, the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities, SFUFA, CUPE, TSSU, APSA, the Equity Office, the Human Rights Office, the Bullying and Harassment Central Hub, and GSS, along with numerous student groups, and individual students, staff, and faculty members.

Policy Background 

In 2016, Simon Fraser University launched a university-wide process to develop a sexual violence policy. Throughout this process, students, faculty, and staff were encouraged to provide input and feedback on the policy, including definitions, jurisdiction, and implementation for how the policy would be operationalized. On March 30, 2017, the University’s Board of Governors approved SFU’s Sexual Violence and Misconduct Prevention, Education and Support Policy, GP 44. The Policy underwent its first official review in 2019-2020. 2023-2024 is the second review of GP 44.   

Questions about the policy and the policy review can be directed to CJ Rowe at cj_rowe@sfu.ca.

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