Sexual Violence Support Services
About
General Information
Vancouver Community College (VCC) is committed to the prevention of sexual violence and misconduct and the promotion of an environment where everyone is physically and emotionally safe and treated with respect. VCC will assist and support those who have experienced sexual violence and misconduct and continually provides education to the college community about the prevention of sexual violence and misconduct.
VCC has a Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy and Procedures to help students understand how the college responds to disclosures and reports of sexual violence, what process we follow when incidents are reported to the college, and what resolutions can be put in place to help the survivor feel safe at VCC and thrive in their studies.
What is sexual violence and misconduct?
At VCC we define sexual violence broadly and include a wide range of behaviours that are considered sexual violence. These behaviours can include, but are not limited to, any form of the following:
- Sexual assault
- Sexual exploitation
- Sexual harassment
- Stalking
- Indecent exposure
- Voyeurism
- Coercion
- Distribution of sexually explicit images or videos without the consent of the person in the images or videos
- The attempt to commit an act of sexual violence and misconduct
- The threat to commit an act of sexual violence and misconduct
What is considered consent?
Consent is an active, voluntary, conscious, and ongoing choice and agreement between people to engage in sexual activity. It is the responsibility of the person initiating or pursuing sexual activity to obtain consent at all stages of sexual engagement. More specifically, consent:
- Is explicit and freely given. It cannot be assumed or based on a perception that it was implied.
- Cannot be given by someone who is incapacitated (by drugs and/or alcohol), asleep, unconscious, or otherwise incapable of providing consent.
- Can be withdrawn at any time, regardless of whatever other sexual activities have taken place.
- Can never be obtained through threats, intimidation, coercion, or other pressure tactics.
- Cannot be obtained if someone abuses a position of trust, power, or authority.
- Cannot be assumed from previous consent to the same or similar activities.
It does not matter if the individuals involved are in a relationship, if the individual does not say no, or does not fight back. Consent is required in all sexual interactions by both parties. If active, ongoing, and enthusiastic consent is not freely given, it is sexual violence.
Help keep VCC a safe and caring community
Please take a moment to read VCC’s Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy and familiarize yourself with VCC’s procedures for disclosing and reporting sexual violence and misconduct.