Thursday 13 September 2018

McGill has finally hired a Special Investigator for Sexual violence on campus

This following message went out a few days ago to the McGill Community.

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Dear Members of the McGill community,

McGill is committed to providing a learning and working environment for all that is respectful, safe, and inclusive. Our University’s efforts in connection with sexual violence prevention and response are critical to delivering on this commitment.

As the fall semester gets underway, I write with an update about these efforts.

Last spring, in addition to establishing new Guidelines on Intimate Relationships between Teaching Staff and Students, I announced that McGill would be appointing a Special Investigator charged with investigating all reports of sexual violence on campus. I am delighted to announce the appointment of Maître Caroline Lemay to this role. Me Lemay’s appointment was made pursuant to a careful process overseen by a small University committee that included representation from the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU).

Me Lemay is a lawyer and member of the Barreau du Québec and founder of Omega Ombudservices, an entity that works to prevent conflict and promote fairness in organizational settings. Holding a graduate degree in Conflict Prevention and Resolution, she has served for the past 13 years as an independent mediator and investigator for a range of local and international organizations. Her experience has focused on human rights issues in a diversity of contexts, including the Centre for Restorative Justice, Le Regroupement des organismes de justice alternative du Québec, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In each of these settings, Me Lemay has been called upon to work toward achieving fair outcomes that respect the rights and obligations of all those involved.

Me Lemay will spend the first weeks of the Fall term meeting with diverse campus stakeholders. As of October 9, she will be the singular point of entry for any person wishing to make a formal report of sexual violence (as defined by McGill’s Policy against Sexual Violence) against a member of the campus community.

 Investigations led by the Special Investigator will:

  • Be trauma-informed
  • Adhere to the requirements of procedural fairness and, insofar as possible, confidentiality
  • Involve interviews of the parties individually (who may each be accompanied by an advisor) and witnesses, and an assessment of all other relevant evidence (e.g., documents, written communications)
  • Aim to be completed within 60 days
  • Result in a confidential written report setting out findings, which will be sent to the relevant disciplinary officer (Faculty Dean, Dean of Students, or Dean of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies) for disciplinary or other action, where appropriate. Parties to the investigation will be informed of the Special Investigator’s findings and the justification on which these are based, with a view to ensuring that the process is fair, transparent, and protects the interests of the parties.
Maître Lemay can be reached at mcgill.si@omega-ombs.ca.  
 
Additionally, McGill’s Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education (O-SVRSE)  continues its critical work in connection with sexual violence education campus-wide and with providing support to survivors. I remind you that all members of the campus community – whether students, faculty, or administrative and support staff – may access O-SVRSE’s services.

 Over the Fall term a review of our Policy against Sexual Violence will take place to reflect recent developments on our campus and to ensure adherence to the terms of Bill 151, An Act to prevent and fight sexual violence in higher education institutions.
 Reports to Senate will be provided over the fall term from the following bodies:

·        Committee for the Implementation of the Policy against Sexual Violence

·        Ad Hoc Panel to Conduct a Campus Study of Sexual Violence

·        Ad Hoc Senate Committee on Teaching Staff-Student Intimate Relationship

Let me close by thanking you for your ongoing attention to this matter of central importance for our campus.


Professor Christopher Manfredi
Provost & Vice-Principal (Academic)

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OK, a couple of questions...


1) What happens if it is a member of the "McGill community" acting like a dick off-campus like a McGill professor sleazing on students at a bar on St. Laurent street? Does that count or does it have to be "on campus"?

2) What happens if some of this sexual harassment happened a long time ago? Can you retroactively file a complaint or not? Are there statutes of limitations here?

3) When filing a complaint, do those who were harassed or assaulted need proof? What kind of proof? Is their word enough?

4) Will there be a real and serious system of punitive measures finally put in place for those persons found guilty? Will a perpetrator  be fired for example? Will their pay be docked? Will they be forced to go on indefinite leave with no pay? What about professors with tenure?

5) How much transparency will there be when punitive measures are taken? When victims decide to come forward, will their confidentiality and anonymity be respected?