Student Policies & Resources

Sexual Violence Resources

If you would like to share what happened to you, please consider sharing your experience with someone that you trust. There are options for support both on and off the campus.

On-campus resources

• Staff and faculty members at CMU are open to speaking with you about your experience and can provide information regarding care and support.
• CMU provides free counselling to any CMU students. Students wishing to book an appointment with a counsellor are asked to email counselling:@:cmu.ca to request an appointment. Please include your availability in your email. Confidentiality is maintained at all times.
• If you would like to speak to someone at CMU about making a report or a complaint, contact:
  • Residence Director
    residencedirector:@:cmu.ca, ext. 378
  • Sandra Loeppky, Manager of International Student & Accessibility Programs
    sloeppky:@:cmu.ca, ext. 340
  • Danielle Morton, Director of Student Community Life
    dmorton:@:cmu.ca, ext. 377

Off-campus resources

• Klinic Resources
  • Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24/7) – 204.786.8631
  • Sexual Assault Intake – 204.784.4059
  • Manitoba Trauma Information & Education Centre
  • Sexual assault crisis counselling
• Winnipeg Police Service
  • Victim Services – 204.986.6350
  • Sex Crimes Unit
  • Winnipeg Police Service, non-emergency line – 204.986.6222
• Province of Manitoba Victim Services – 1.866.484.2846
• Manitoba Human Rights Commission – 204.945.3007

Online resources

• REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors) – A simple and secure online reporting platform

Please see Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Violence

What is sexual violence?

Sexual violence is a broad term used to describe any conduct that is unwelcome and of a sexual nature. It includes, but is not limited to, behaviors often described as sexual harassment, sexual assault, and the threat of sexual assault. Sexual violence can happen to anyone regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Some examples of sexual violence includes, but are not limited to:

• Unwelcome touching
• Repeated or persistent unwelcome comments, flirtations, advances, or propositions—either in person or through online communication
• Forced intercourse
• Threat or threats of sexual contact without consent

If you would like more information please consider speaking with (insert names), contacting an off-campus resource, or consulting CMU's Sexual Violence Policy.

I experienced sexual violence in the past few days—should I talk to someone?

Yes, you should talk to someone, depending on the context you should:

• Call the Winnipeg Police Service if you are in danger or injured
  • Call 911
  • Winnipeg Police Service, non-emergency line – 204.986.6222
  • To speak to a detective from the Sex Crimes Unit in confidence – 204.986.6245
• Go to any hospital if you are safe
  • At the Health Sciences Centre is a team of nurses specifically trained in providing care to patients who have experienced a sexual assault and in providing a forensic medical exam if the assault happened in the past 120 hours (five days). Visit the Adult Emergency Centre (700 William Ave., Winnipeg MB) or call 204.787.2071, and ask for the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). It is open 24 hours at day, seven days a week.
    [ More information ]
  • If the assault happened outside of the past 120 hours (5 days) you can still go to a hospital and receive medical care. They can also provide information about STI testing and treatment, and pregnancy testing.
    [ More information ]
• Consider disclosing to someone at CMU. Staff and faculty are open and willing to hear of your experience and provide information regarding CMU reports or complaints. To make a report or a complaint please contact:
  • Residence Director
    residencedirector:@:cmu.ca, ext. 378
  • Sandra Loeppky, Manager of International Student & Accessibility Programs
    sloeppky:@:cmu.ca, ext. 340
  • Danielle Morton, Director of Student Community Life
    dmorton:@:cmu.ca, ext. 377

What are my responsibilities as a member of the CMU community?

CMU expects every member of the CMU community to be respectful of others and to help foster a safe environment free of harassment, exploitation, and intimidation. Everyone at CMU—students, faculty, academic appointees and staff—has a responsibility to know and comply with CMU's Sexual Violence Policy, community guidelines, and relevant laws.

What are my options if I would like to speak with someone, receive support, resources, or care?

• If you would like to share what happened to you, please consider sharing your experience with someone that you trust.
  • Staff and faculty members at CMU are open to speaking with you about your experience and can provide information regarding care and support.
  • CMU provides free counselling to any CMU students. You can set up a confidential counselling session by emailing counselling:@:cmu.ca or speaking to the Director of Student Community Life.
  • If you would like to speak to someone at CMU about making a report or a complaint, contact:
    • Residence Director
      residencedirector:@:cmu.ca, ext. 378
    • Sandra Loeppky, Manager of International Student & Accessibility Programs
      sloeppky:@:cmu.ca, ext. 340
    • Danielle Morton, Director of Student Community Life
      dmorton:@:cmu.ca, ext. 377
    • CMU staff or faculty
• There are many resources available off campus as well:
  • Klinic Resources
    • Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24/7) – 204.786.8631
    • Sexual Assault Intake – 204.784.4059
    • Manitoba Trauma Information & Education Centre
    • Sexual assault crisis counselling
  • Winnipeg Police Service
    • Victim Services – 204.986.6350
    • Sex Crimes Unit
    • Winnipeg Police Service, non-emergency line – 204.986.6222
  • Province of Manitoba Victim Services &ndash 1.866.484.2846
  • Manitoba Human Rights Commission – 204.945.3007

How can CMU help me if I have experienced sexual violence?

CMU has several processes that can be used to address sexual violence. Since every situation is unique, the process to address each situation will also be somewhat unique. CMU will work with all the individuals involved in a situation to determine a course of action that is appropriate.

Option A: Disclosure
A disclosure happens when a survivor of sexual violence informs another person about an incident of sexual violence. If a survivor discloses to a student leader, a staff or faculty member of CMU they are required to confidently subsequently disclose to either the Dean of Student Life if it involves only students, or to the Director of Human Resources if it involves an employee. This is for record keeping, and you will not be contacted, or forced to participate in any process that you do not wish to.

Option B: Report
A report is a formal procedure for requesting an accommodation that also creates an official record of an incident of sexual violence. A report may be filed by the person who has experienced sexual violence, by a third party, or confidentially with certain staff or faculty members, or through the CMU website. See contact information.

Option C: Complaint
A complaint is a formal procedure for pursuing disciplinary action or sanctions against a person accused of sexual violence (a Respondent). Complaints may be filed only by the individual who has experienced the incident of sexual violence.

• The complaint process at CMU is both trauma informed and survivor centric.
• You may bring a support person to any meeting during the process. This person can support you, but cannot speak for you or interfere with the process.
• A complaint can be filed using a report that has previously been filed.
• A complaint must be written and should contain as much information as possible, including: the date and time of the incident, names of individuals who were involved, what has happened since the incident.
• You can file a complaint with these individuals:
  • Residence Director | residencedirector:@:cmu.ca, ext. 378
  • Danielle Morton, Director of Student Community Life | dmorton:@:cmu.ca, ext. 377
  • Sandra Loeppky, Manager of International Student & Accessibility Programs | sloeppky:@:cmu.ca, ext. 340
• When a complaint is filed, the Respectful Campus Committee (RCC) comes together to oversee the complaint. The RCC consists of three individuals: the chair of Community Council, a Student Life member, and another staff member. All three of these individuals work together to find a suitable resolution to the complaint. The RCC will also oversee any investigation that may take place, and the investigator reports directly to the committee. The RCC may have conversations with the Complainant and the Respondent separately. These conversations are not cross examinations, but rather are to answer any questions, and find what solutions are suitable.
• All complaints will be kept confidential, but there are certain situations where confidentiality may be limited, such as: imminent harm to an individual, if action is required by law, or the CMU community may be at harm. No details of any complaint will be shared publicly.
• Disciplinary decisions are made by the VP of Student Life if the complaint is between students. The decision will be made in writing and given to both the Complainant and the Respondent.
• A decision can be appealed within 14 days to the CMU President, in writing.
• A more detailed description of the process can be found in CMU's Sexual Violence Policy.

Can I file an online disclosure, report, or complaint?

Yes. CMU partners with REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors), a simple and secure online reporting platform, to provide online reporting tools. REES is trauma-informed and centred on the needs of survivors, REES bridges online incident reporting with access to critical information about reporting options, resources and supports. Please visit https://www.reescommunity.com/campus to file a report online.

Someone has made a or complaint against me, what happens next?

If a written complaint is made against you, a member of the RCC will contact you to inform you of the complaint, and give you a copy of the written complaint. You also will have the opportunity to submit a written account of the events in the complaint. This written account will be considered your official statement to the RCC.

The RCC will arrange a private meeting with you to hear your account and discuss some of the various options for how the complaint may be processed. The RCC may ask clarifying questions during this meeting. You may choose another person to accompany you for support during any meetings throughout the process. However, the person cannot speak on your behalf or interfere with the process.

What can I expect once I've spoken to someone from CMU?

You can expect to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect
• Be informed about on- and off-campus services and resources
• Have the right to decide whether or not to access available services and to choose the services you feel will be the most beneficial.
• Have the right to decide whether to report to the police
• Have access to an on-campus investigation,
• Have access to reasonable and necessary actions to prevent further unwanted contact with the alleged perpetrator(s)
• Be provided appropriate living, working, or academic arrangements

What if the sexual violence happened off campus or online?

Even if the incident happened off campus or online between CMU community members you are encouraged to seek support and speak to someone at CMU. CMU will offer support and resources to you regardless of where the incident occurred.

Someone has told me they have experienced sexual violence of any kind, what should I do?

If a friend, fellow student, or other community member discloses that they have experienced sexual violence, it is critical that you let them know that you believe them. This is the first step in helping them to begin to heal.

Second, let them know that they are not alone. There are also many avenues for support, whether it be making a report, calling a crisis line, or seeking counselling; there is no one way to heal.

Third, support any decision that the Survivor makes. Whether or not they choose to go to the police, choose to go to a sexual assault centre or an emergency room, or choose to disclose to the CMU, it is important that they feel that they have made the right decision for themselves, without judgment from others.

If you are a student leader, staff, or faculty member you are required to subsequently disclose what you have learned to the Dean of Student Life if it involves only students, or the Director of Human Resources if it involves a faculty or staff member. This is for information sake, and the person who disclosed the information initially will not be contacted. Please make sure you inform the individual that you have a duty to subsequently disclose this information.