Violence Prevention Policy

The College is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive learning and working environment free from violence, threats, or intimidation committed by or against any member of the College community. The purpose of the Violence Prevention Policy is to establish clear expectations, reporting pathways, and response procedures that support a proactive and coordinated approach to identifying, preventing, and addressing all forms of workplace violence.

This policy applies to all College-Related Activities, including but not limited to, activities occurring on College property, any off-campus events, or functions under the College's authority or supervision. It also covers all online or virtual activities associated with the College. The Policy applies to all College Members, contractors, volunteers, visitors, and guests.

This policy is designed to complement and not to conflict with the College's collective agreements. If there is any inconsistency between this policy and a collective agreement, the applicable collective agreement provision(s) will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. Reports of harassment, discrimination, bullying, or sexual violence are outside the scope of this policy.

1. VCC will not tolerate violence or threats of violence in any form within the College or to any College Members. All College Members share responsibility for creating and sustaining an environment that is free from violence.


2. The College will assume a prevention‑first approach when dealing with issues of violence, which will include awareness training for employees and students, risk assessments to be conducted by the Department of Safety, Security, Risk and Privacy (SSRP), and prioritizing early intervention.


3.  The College recognizes that the consequences of violence may disproportionately impact individuals who experience intersecting forms of systemic discrimination or barriers, and individuals who occupy the less powerful position in a relationship characterized by a power dynamic.


4. The College will provide clear and accessible reporting options, and ensure prompt and unbiased investigations which comply with the Workers Compensation Act and the WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.


5. The department of Safety, Security, Risk and Privacy will conduct regular monitoring and reviews of the violence prevention program.

College Member

All current VCC students, employees, and Board members.

Harassment

Repeated or egregious behaviour which a reasonable person would consider objectionable, including stalking, verbal or written threats, or technology-facilitated harassment.

Interim Measure

Temporary provisions that may be placed on a person accused of violence. Interim measures are designed to limit contact between the parties while an investigation is conducted and are not intended to be punitive in nature.

Supervisor

A person who instructs, directs, and controls workers in the performance of their duties.

Threat

A knowing and willful statement, behaviour, or course of conduct that gives a person reasonable cause to believe that a violent act may occur.

Threat Assessment Team

The group tasked with managing situations involving more significant threats, behaviours and other safety concerns. The team always includes the Executive Director responsible for Safety and Security as the Chair, along with the Vice President or designate from Student Services, Vice President or designate from People Services, and Registrar or designate.

Representatives from other groups will be added on a “as required” basis given the known facts of a situation. This can include, but is not limited to, the Department Head from Counselling, the appropriate Academic Dean, union representation, Director or designate from IT, and a designate from Marketing and Communications.

Violence

Any physical force or actual physical assault; or any act or threat of force that causes a person to reasonably fear for their safety, the safety of others, or which injures or attempts to injure a person physically or psychologically.

• Prevention of Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying (201)
• Standards of Employee Conduct & Conflict of Interest (202)
• Safe Disclosure (203)
• Sexual Violence and Misconduct (210)
• Student Non-Academic Conduct (324)

• BC Human Rights Code [RSBC 1996], c. 210


• WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation


• BC Workers Compensation Act [RSBC 2019], c. 1