There are many misconceptions around sexual violence. Learn more about what is considered sexual violence, what consent is, how BCIT responds to sexual violence, and what you can do to contribute to a safer community.
Any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression, whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, which is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person’s consent and including but not limited to:
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual exploitation
- Sexual harassment
- Stalking
- Indecent exposure
- Voyeurism
- The distribution of a sexually explicit photograph or video of a person to one or more persons other than the person in the photograph or video without the consent of the person in the photograph or video.
Sexual Violence and Misconduct can take place through any form of means of communication (e.g., verbal written, visual, through a third party, online, social media, etc.).
This list is intended to help the BCIT Community understand the kinds of acts that will be considered Sexual Violence and Misconduct. This list is not exhaustive and other acts can still be considered Sexual Violence and Misconduct under this Policy even if they do not appear in the above list. The above terms are further defined in Appendix A of the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy.
The short video below provides an explanation of what Sexual Violence is.
Consent is an active, direct, voluntary, and conscious choice and agreement to engage in physical contact or sexual activity. It is the responsibility of the initiator pf physical contact or sexual activity to obtain consent at all stages of mutually acceptable sexual engagement. More specifically, consent:
- Is not silence or the absence of “no”.
- Cannot be assumed or implied .
- Cannot be given by an individual incapacitated by alcohol, drugs, or some other reason, and/or who is unconscious, or otherwise incapable of providing consent.
- Is not present if the impaired judgement on the part of the initiator leads them to think or believe there was consent.
- Can be revoked at anytime, regardless of previous sexual activities or agreements.
- Can never be obtained through abuse, threats, intimidation, coercion, harassment, or other pressure tactics.
- Cannot be obtained if the initiator abuses a position of trust, power, or authority.
- Cannot be assumed from previous consent to similar activities or agreements.
- Is required regardless of the relationship status or sexual history of the parties.
The Following short video provides a humorous explanation of what consent is, using tea as a metaphor.
According to a 2019 Statistics Canada Survey:
- 71% of students witnessed or experienced unwanted sexual behaviours in the context of their post-secondary studies;
- Approximately 1 in 4 students in Canadian post-secondary schools experienced unwanted sexual jokes that year;
- 18% of women and 10% of men in Canadian post-secondary institutions experienced repeated pressure from the same person for dates or sexual relationships
- 7% of women and 4% of men in Canadian post-secondary institutions either experienced or witnessed someone taking or posting inappropriate or sexually suggestive photos or videos of a student without consent.
- 11% of women students experienced a sexual assault in a postsecondary setting during the previous year. About 19% of women who were sexually assaulted said that the assault took the form of a sexual activity to which they did not consent after they had agreed to another form of sexual activity – for example, agreeing to have protected sex and then learning it had been unprotected sex.
- Most women (80%) and men (86%) who had experienced unwanted sexualized behaviours stated that the perpetrators of the behaviours were fellow students.
Below are some places to learn more:
- “Complaint Options” and “Supportive Resources” section of the BCIT website
- BCIT’s Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy.
- BCIT’s Response to Sexual Violence and Misconduct Procedure.
Be an “Active Bystander”. An active bystander is someone who looks out for others and takes steps to intervene when they notice harmful comments, jokes, actions and behaviour. When deciding how to intervene always be aware of your own safety, and the safety of others. Keep in mind the 4 D’s of intervening and decide which one(s) to use:
- DIRECT – Address concerning behaviour directly when you notice it. For example by saying, “That’s not okay, leave them alone.”
- DISTRACT – Distract in order to interrupt a situation where someone appears to be in distress. For example, ask the person an unrelated question, such as asking for directions in order to interrupt the harmful interaction.
- DELEGATE – Find another person to intervene or check on the individual who may be in distress. This may be a person in authority.
- DELAY – Check in on the person later to see if they need support.
BCIT offers the following workshops and training opportunities related to sexual violence and misconduct:
Safer Campuses for Everyone – Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence (register through the Employee Learning Centre). This online training for employees will cover:
- The many forms of sexual violence and the impact of sexual violence as well as examine some of the reasons why sexual violence happens
- The importance of consent in all relationships and how to intervene to prevent sexual violence
- How to find support for themselves or how to support someone else who has experienced sexual violence
A student version of this course is currently under development.
Active Bystander Training. The training will do the following:
- Provide overview of training, e.g. learning outcomes, method of delivery, time commitment.
Culture of Consent Workshop. The training will do the following:
- Provide overview of training, e.g. learning outcomes, method of delivery, time commitment.
BCIT also offers workshops related to more general issues of respectful work and learning environments. Contact the Respect, Diversity and Inclusion (RDI) Office for more information on all available options.
Below are some additional resources: