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.

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).

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.

• 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.
• No time limit: Students may disclose or report at any time; delayed reporting may affect evidence collection but supports remain available.
• 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.
• 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).
• Protection from reprisal: No one will be penalized or retaliated against for making a good-faith report or for participating in an investigation.
• Representation: Students may be accompanied by a support person or representative (including legal counsel) and may make oral or written submissions at all stages.

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.

Students may:

1. Disclose confidentially to access supports and accommodations without making a formal report.
2. Make a report or complaint to the College for resolution under this policy.
3. Report to police and/or seek medical care.
4. Make an anonymous disclosure (limitations may apply to investigation).
5. Students are not required to report to the College or to police to receive supports and accommodations.
6. The College will assist students in contacting police or medical services if requested.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

The College will provide awareness and prevention education for students and annual training for staff on receiving disclosures, supports, accommodations, and trauma-informed investigations.

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.

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.

Designated Sexual Violence Lead: Director
Email: info@aksharacademy.ca | Phone: +1 905-297-5299
In emergencies, call 911.