Options for Informing BCIT

• Sharing about sexualized violence can be difficult. If you have decided to share an experience that has caused harm to you in order to reach out for support, you can choose how would you like to proceed and which services are right for you.  You can change your mind at any time.
• After submitting the form, someone from the BCIT Sexualized Violence Response Team will contact you to share supports, services and/ or to discuss academic or workplace accommodations.
• There is no time limit for reaching out for support after an experience of violence. This can be done at anytime.
• Reaching out for support will not ordinarily open an investigation unless you choose to also report it for this purpose.

• Reporting about sexualized violence can be difficult. If you have decided to share an experience that has caused harm to you in order to open an investigation, you can choose how you would like to proceed.  You can change your mind at any time.
• There is no time limit for reaching out for support after an experience of violence. This can be done at anytime.
• When you fill out the form and indicate you want BCIT to open an investigation, you will be asked basic information about the incident. A BCIT employee may contact you to follow up, respecting your preferences for confidentiality, intervention, and next steps in the process.
• You will have access to support throughout the process, including available resources and services.
• BCIT is committed to taking appropriate action in response to reports of sexualized violence, including investigating allegations and holding perpetrators accountable. All reports will be addressed according to BCIT’s institutional policies, including:
  • Sexualized Violence and Misconduct Policy [PDF]
  • Student Code of Conduct (Non-Academic) [PDF]
  • Prevention of Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying [PDF]
  • Safety and Security Policy [PDF]

• If you receive a disclosure (a person telling you about an experience of sexualized violence), witness, or learn of such incidents as a BCIT community member, we encourage you to inform the BCIT Sexualized Violence Response Team by filling out this form. This will help ensure the safety of the BCIT community and prevent possible further harm against others.
• If you fill out the form, we recommend you inform the person that experienced sexualized violence that you would like to share this information with BCIT.
• If you fill out the form we ask that you provide your personal information so that we can contact you. Any personal information will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. There may be additional questions about your submission or support to provide.

For employees:

• If you are a BCIT employee who witnessed or received a disclosure about sexualized violence involving another BCIT community member, you may be required to inform BCIT, unless you receive a disclosure while providing confidential services such as healthcare or counselling.
• You are required to inform BCIT if someone shares an experience of sexualized violence if:
  • A person is at risk of self-harm or of harming others
  • There is imminent risk of harm to the BCIT Community or the broader community
  • A minor or vulnerable person is otherwise endangered or
  • Disclosing the information is otherwise required by law

All information shared about sexualized violence in this form will be handled with sensitivity and urgency, prioritizing your safety and well-being. BCIT makes every reasonable effort to protect personal information and maintain confidentiality.

BCIT will ensure that access to information is only on a need-to-know basis. This may involve sharing personal information internally and/or with police to ensure the safety and security of the BCIT community, and to prevent significant risks of injury or harm to any person. See Sexualized Violence Policy [PDF] for more information about confidentiality.

• Students can share an experience that caused harm with any BCIT employee. This sharing is known as a ‘disclosure’.
• Employees can share an experience of harm to their supervisor, manager; the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion (RDI) Department; and/or a member of Human Resources.
• BCIT is committed to taking appropriate action in response to reports of sexualized violence, including investigating allegations and holding those who caused harm accountable. All information shared will be addressed according to BCIT’s institutional policies, including:
  • Sexualized Violence and Misconduct Policy [PDF]
  • Student Code of Conduct (Non-Academic) [PDF]
  • Prevention of Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying [PDF]
  • Safety and Security Policy [PDF]

When a BCIT employee witnesses or receives information about sexualized violence or misconduct involving another BCIT community member they can share that information with the Sexualized Violence Response Team via the Sexualized Violence Support & Incident Reporting Form.

This team is made up of members from:

• Safety, Security & Emergency Management
• Human Resources
• Student Success
• Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships
• Respect, Diversity and Inclusion Department

A BCIT employee from this team will connect with the person who disclosed an experience of sexualized violence about available supports, accommodations or information about how to proceed with an investigation should they choose to do so.

All information shared about sexualized violence in this form will be handled with sensitivity and urgency, prioritizing your safety and well-being. BCIT makes every reasonable effort to protect personal information and maintain confidentiality.

BCIT will ensure that access to information is only on a need-to-know basis. This may involve disclosing personal information internally and/or with police to ensure the safety and security of the BCIT community, and to prevent significant risks of injury or harm to any person. See Sexualized Violence Policy 7103 [PDF] for more information about confidentiality.

For some people who have experienced sexualized violence, they might choose to report to the police for criminal investigation. This is not a safe option for everyone, and it is up to the person who experienced violence to choose. They do not have to report to the police even if they have made a report to BCIT.

For those who choose this option, Safety, Security and Emergency Management can assist with this process.

To contact the police, phone the non-emergency police line in the city/ town/ area where the incident occurred.