Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy
This document contains the updated Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy for Akshar
Academy Corp., fully compliant with the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005 and Ontario
Regulation 415/06.
1. Purpose & Scope
This policy sets out Akshar Academy Corp.’s commitments and procedures for preventing
and responding to sexual violence and harassment involving students. It complies with the
Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005 and Ontario Regulation 415/06, including sections 36.0.1
and 36.0.2. This policy applies to all students and to any location or platform connected to
College activities (on campus, off campus, online, placements, or school events).
2. Definitions (Plain Language)
Sexual violence includes any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity
or expression without consent. Examples include sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking
(criminal harassment), indecent exposure, voyeurism, distribution of intimate images
without consent, attempts or threats to commit these acts. Consent is the voluntary,
ongoing, and freely given agreement to engage in sexual activity.
3. Student Rights & Protections
a) Access to supports and academic accommodations: Students affected by sexual violence
will be appropriately accommodated. Students are not required to file a complaint to access
supports or accommodations.
b) No time limit: Students may disclose or report at any time; delayed reporting may affect
evidence collection but supports remain available.
c) Good-faith amnesty: If students, in good faith, report an incident of or make a complaint
about sexual violence, they will not be subject to discipline for violations of college policies
relating to drug or alcohol use at the time of the incident.
d) Trauma-informed process: Students who disclose their experience will not be asked
irrelevant questions during the investigation (e.g., questions about sexual expression or
past sexual history).
e) Protection from reprisal: No one will be penalized or retaliated against for making a
good-faith report or for participating in an investigation.
f) Representation: Students may be accompanied by a support person or representative
(including legal counsel) and may make oral or written submissions at all stages.
4. Confidentiality & Privacy
The College will protect personal information and disclose only what is necessary to
investigate, to meet legal/safety obligations, or as required by law. Limits include situations
where there are reasonable grounds to believe someone is at risk of serious harm, or where
reporting is legally required.
5. Disclosure, Reporting & Options (No time limit)
Students may:
i) Disclose confidentially to access supports and accommodations without making
a formal report.
ii) Make a report or complaint to the College for resolution under this policy.
iii) Report to police and/or seek medical care.
iv) Make an anonymous disclosure (limitations may apply to investigation).
v) Students are not required to report to the College or to police to receive
supports and accommodations.
vi) The College will assist students in contacting police or medical services if
requested.
6. Supports & Accommodations
The College will provide or facilitate: academic flexibility, modified schedules, extensions,
leaves of absence, no-contact directives, safety planning, security escort (where available),
counselling referrals, and information about community sexual assault centres and legal
resources.
7. Interim Measures
Pending review or investigation, the College may implement interim measures to support
safety and fairness (e.g., schedule changes, classroom re-assignment, campus access
restrictions, and no-contact directives).
8. Making a College Report & Investigation Steps
Reports can be made in person, by email or in writing to the Designated Sexual Violence
Lead (Director, Academic Development & Compliance). Upon receipt of a report, the College
will:
1) Acknowledge receipt promptly and discuss immediate supports and interim measures.
2) Determine whether an investigation should proceed and whether the complainant
wishes to participate.
3) Assign an impartial investigator (internal or external), avoiding conflicts of interest.
4) Notify the respondent of the allegations and give an opportunity to respond.
5) Permit both parties to be accompanied by a support person and to make oral and written
submissions.
6) Gather relevant information (documents, interviews, recordings) in a trauma-informed
manner.
7) Conclude the investigation as soon as practicable and issue a written decision with
reasons and outcomes to both parties.
9. Outcomes & Sanctions
Where a finding is made that sexual violence occurred, the College may impose outcomes
including education, restrictions, probation, suspension, or expulsion, and other measures
appropriate to the circumstances. Where the respondent is an employee or contractor, the
matter will be addressed under applicable employment agreements and laws.
10. Appeals
Either party may appeal on the grounds of procedural fairness or new evidence by
submitting a written appeal to the Founder/Chief Academic Officer within five (5) school
days of the decision. The appellant may make oral submissions and be accompanied by a
representative. A final written decision will be issued as soon as practicable; this concludes
the internal process.
11. Education, Training & Awareness
The College will provide awareness and prevention education for students and annual
training for staff on receiving disclosures, supports, accommodations, and trauma-informed
investigations.
12. Publication, Data & Review
The College will publish this policy on its public website and provide a copy to every
student at contract signing. The policy will be reviewed at least once every three (3) years
and updated as required by law. The College will collect and provide to the Superintendent
of Career Colleges any data and information required by law.
13. Relationship to Other College Policies & Laws
If this Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy conflicts with any other College policy,
including the Expulsion Policy, this policy prevails. This policy operates alongside the
Ontario Human Rights Code, the Criminal Code of Canada, the Liquor Licence and Control
Act, 2019, and the Cannabis Control Act, 2017.
14. Contact
Designated Sexual Violence Lead: Director
Email: info@aksharacademy.ca | Phone: + 1 9052975299.
In emergencies, call 911.
Community Sexual Violence Support Services
Brampton / Peel Region
1. Regional Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Services (Trillium Health Partners)
Type of Support: Emergency medical care, forensic evidence collection, follow-up support, counseling referrals
Location: Mississauga Hospital ED (24/7)
Contact: 905-848-7580 ext. 2548
Website: https://www.thp.ca/patientservices/womens/pages/sexualassault.aspx
Notes: Serves Peel Region (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)
2. Assaulted Women’s Helpline
Type of Support: 24/7 crisis line, emotional support, connections to local services
Contact: 1-866-863-0511
Website: https://www.thp.ca/patientservices/womens/pages/sexualassault.aspx
Notes: Province-wide coverage, available in Peel Region
3. Hope 24/7 (Peel Region Sexual Assault Crisis Line)
Type of Support: Immediate crisis support for survivors of sexual assault or domestic abuse
Contact: 1-800-810-0180
Website: https://www.thp.ca/patientservices/womens/pages/sexualassault.aspx
Notes: Peel Region’s primary crisis support line
4. Safe Centre of Peel
Type of Support: Risk & needs assessment, safety planning, counseling referrals, short-term counseling,
coordinated services
Contact: 905-450-4650 or 905-568-1068
Website: https://scopeel.org
Notes: One-stop hub for multiple supports in Peel Region
5. Victim Services of Peel
Type of Support: 24-hour crisis support, emotional support, referrals for victims of crime
Location: 7750 Hurontario Street, Brampton, ON L6V 3W6
Contact: 905-568-1068 (Crisis Line)
Website: https://www.vspeel.org
Notes: Support beyond immediate crisis, Peel Region
6. Peel Regional Police – Special Victims Unit / IPV Bureau
Type of Support: Investigation support, court/legal accompaniment, victim safety & protection
Contact: 905-453-3311 (Non-Emergency)
Website: https://www.thp.ca/patientservices/womens/pages/sexualassault.aspx
Notes: For police reporting or legal protection orders