ACTION PLAN
The Policy applies to all members of Thompson Career College including students, employees, faculty, administrators, contract service providers, contractors, officers, directors and individuals who are directly connected to any of Thompson Career College initiatives, volunteers and visitors. Per the Sexual Violence Policy, any student and employee at The Thompson Career College (Health, Beauty and Technology) may file a report of an incident or complaint to Vishu Mehta in writing. However, students and employees are encouraged to speak directly with Vishu Mehta regarding any concerns they may have while understanding to pursue a SEXUAL VIOLENCE POLICY.
1. SEXUAL VIOLENCE POLICY FOR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
a. Thompson Career College is committed to providing its students and employees with an educational environment free from sexual violence, and treating its students and employees who report incidents of sexual violence with dignity and respect.
b. Thompson Career College has adopted the Sexual Violence Policy, which defines sexual violence and outlines training, reporting, investigative and disciplinary responses to complaints of sexual violence made by its students and employees on its campus or at one of its events, and involves students and employees
c. The person accused of engaging in sexual violence will be referred to as the “Respondent” and the person making the allegation as the “Complainant.”
d. If students or staff, in good faith, report an incident of or make a complaint about sexual violence, they will not be subject to discipline or sanctions for violations of the private career college’s policies relating to drug or alcohol use at the time the alleged sexual violence occurred.
e. Students or employees who disclose their experience of sexual violence through reporting an incident of, making a complaint about, or accessing support and services for sexual violence will not be asked irrelevant questions during the investigation process by the career college’s employees or investigators, including irrelevant questions relating to the student’s and employees’ sexual expression or past sexual history.
2. DEFINITION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Sexual violence means any sexual act or acts targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity or gender expression, whether it acts physically or psychologically. Threatened or attempted against a person without consent includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism and sexual exploitation.
3. TRAINING, REPORTING AND RESPONDING TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE
a. Thompson Career College shall include a copy of the Sexual Violence Policy in every contract between the College and students and college and employees. Provide a copy of the Sexual Violence Policy to career college management (corporate directors, controlling shareholders, owners, partners, other people who manage or direct the College’s affairs, and their agents), instructors, employees and contractors. Train them in the policy and its reporting processes, investigating and responding to complaints of sexual violence involving its students.
b. Any company offering student internships on their premises must provide an undertaking in writing that complies with all applicable legislation, including the Ontario Human Rights Code. The Occupational Health and Safety Act will provide students and employees with access to those policies should they encounter issues relating to sexual violence in the workplace.
c. Management, instructors, employees and contractors of Thompson Career College will report incidents of or complaints of sexual violence to Vishu Mehta upon becoming aware of them.
d. Students or employees who have been affected by sexual violence or who need information about support services should contact Vishu Mehta.
e. Thompson Career College will keep all personal information of people involved in the investigation confidential. Except in those circumstances where it believes an individual is at imminent risk of self-harm or harming another, or there are reasonable grounds to believe that others on its campus or the broader community are at risk.
It will be done by:
i. ensuring that all complaints/reports and information gathered because of the complaint/reports will be only available to those who need to know for purposes of investigation, implementing safety measures and other circumstances that arise from any given case; and
ii. ensuring that the documentation is kept in a separate file from the Complainant/student or the Respondent.
f. Thompson Career College recognizes the right of the Complainant not to report an incident of or make a complaint about sexual violence or not request an investigation and not participate in any investigation that may occur.
g. Thompson Career College may be required by law or its internal policies to initiate an internal investigation and inform police without the Complainant’s consent if it believes the safety of members of its campus or the broader community is at risk.
h. Thompson Career College will appropriately accommodate the needs of its students or employees affected by sexual violence. Students or employees seeking accommodation should contact Vishu Mehta.
4. INVESTIGATING REPORTS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
a. Under this Sexual Violence Policy, any student or employees of Thompson Career College may file an incident report or a complaint to Vishu Mehta in writing.
b. Upon receiving a report of an incident or a complaint of alleged sexual violence being made, Vishu Mehta will respond promptly (within 1 day or sooner) and:
i. Determine whether an investigation should proceed and if the Complainant wishes to participate in an investigation.
ii. Determine who should conduct the investigation regarding the seriousness of the allegation and the parties involved.
iii. Determine whether the incident should be referred immediately to the police.
iv. In such cases or where civil proceedings are commenced in respect of allegations of sexual violence, Thompson Career College may conduct its independent investigation and make its determination following its policies and procedures and
v. Determine what interim measures should be implemented pending the investigation process, such as removing the Respondent or seeking alternate methods of providing necessary course studies.
c. Once an investigation is initiated, the following will occur:
i. The Complainant and the Respondent will be advised that they may ask another person to be present throughout the investigation.
ii. Management interviewed the students or employees to ensure a complete understanding of the allegation. They gathered additional information that may not have been included in the written complaint, such as the date and time of the incident. People involved, names of the person who witnessed the incident and a complete description of what occurred.
iii. Informing and interviewing the Respondent of the complaint, providing details of the allegations and allowing the Respondent to respond to those allegations and to provide any witnesses the Respondent feels are essential to the investigation.
iv. Interviewing any person involved or who has, or may have, knowledge of the incident and any identified witnesses.
v. Providing reasonable updates to the Complainant and the Respondent about the status of the investigation; and
vi. Following the investigation, Vishu Mehta will:
(a) Review all the evidence collected during the investigation.
(b) Determine whether sexual violence occurred and if so
(c) Determine what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken as set out below.
5. Disciplinary Measures
a. If Thompson Career College determines that the Respondent did engage in sexual violence, immediate disciplinary or corrective action will be taken. It may include:
i. Disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment of instructors or employees; or
ii. Expulsion of a student; and
iii. The placement of certain restrictions on the Respondent’s ability to access certain premises or facilities; and
iv. Any other actions that may be appropriate in the circumstances.
6. Appeal
a. Should the Complainant or the Respondent not agree with the decision resulting from the investigation, they may appeal the decision to Thompson Career College within 3 days by submitting a letter addressed to Harbhinder Bajwa.
b. A response will be provided within 1 business day or sooner to determine the next steps to handle the appeal.
c. Should an appeal process be set in place, the Complainant must provide all details, including the rationale for not accepting Thompson Career College’s decision.
d. An entire case review will begin after receiving the formal appeal in writing.
7. Making False Statements
a. It violates this Sexual Violence Policy for anyone to knowingly make a false complaint of sexual violence or provide false information about a complaint.
b. Individuals who violate this Sexual Violence Policy are subject to disciplinary or corrective action up to and including termination of employment of instructors or employees or expulsion of a student.
8. Reprisal
. It is a violation of this Sexual Violence Policy to retaliate or threaten to retaliate against a complainant who has brought forward a complaint of sexual violence, provided information related to a complaint, or otherwise been involved in the complaint investigation process.
b. Individuals who violate the Sexual Violence Policy are subject to disciplinary or corrective action, up to and including termination of employment of instructors or staff or expulsion of a student.
9. Review
a. Thompson Career College shall ensure that student and staff input is considered in developing its Sexual Violence Policy every time it is reviewed or amended.
b. Thompson Career College shall review its Sexual Violence Policy after every 3 years. The next review date is January 01, 2027
10. Collection of Student Data
Thompson Career College shall collect and be prepared to provide upon request by the Superintendent of Career Colleges such data and information as required according to Subsections 31. 1 (8), (9), (10) and (11) of Schedule 5 of the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005, as amended.
Contact Persons
Vishu Mehta 416-567-3532
mehta.vishu001@gmail.com
Harbhinder Bajwa 416-895-6788
bajwa@thompsoncareercollege.com
11. Collection of Student Data
Thompson Career College shall collect and be prepared to provide upon request by the Superintendent of Career Colleges such data and information as required according to Subsections 31. 1 (8), (9), (10) and (11) of Schedule 5 of the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005, as amended.
Contact Persons
Local Supports & Services
Address: Community Living Toronto 20 Spadina Road Toronto, ON M5R 2S7
Phone: 416.968.0650
Programs and Services: 647.426.3220
Email: contactus@cltoronto.ca
Website: https://cltoronto.ca/supports-and-services/personalized-support/
