About Us

Who we are

The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) supports all members of the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌýcampusÌýcommunityÌýwho have experienced or been impacted by sexual violence.

This includes all students, staff,Ìýfaculty, and visitorsÌýonÌýtheÌýmain campus, satellite campuses, and affiliated and federated À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Institutes and Colleges.Ìý

How we support

We work with those whoÌýhaveÌýexperienced sexual violence, their supporters,Ìýthose who have received a disclosure or witnessed sexual violence, and those who have causedÌýharmÌýor are alleged to have caused harm.

We are here for you - please contact us at svpro@uwaterloo.ca if:

  • You have experienced sexualÌýviolence

  • You have received a disclosure of sexualÌýviolence

  • You are supporting someone who has experienced sexualÌýviolence

  • You have a question(s) about sexual violence, consent, healthy relationships

  • You have been accused of perpetrating or having caused sexualÌýviolence

  • You have witnessed sexual violence

  • You would like to learn how to more actively and effectively intervene to prevent or stop sexual violence.Ìý

SYSTEMS CHANGE

With consent from those we are supporting, our office will

  • ProvideÌýa safe(r) space forÌýpeople to disclose -Ìýin as little or as much detail as they wishÌý- aboutÌýtheir experience.
  • DiscussÌýresources, both on- and off-campus, that could provide further supportÌýor assistance, andÌýprovide referrals as directed by those with whom we are working.
  • DiscussÌýshort-termÌýcoping strategies.
  • CollaborateÌýwith departments and units on campus to facilitate requests for academic and workplace accommodations, residence adjustments, safety planning, and other identified needs.
  • ReviewÌýavailableÌýcomplaints and reporting options/pathways via University policy and/or theÌýpolice, as directed by those with whom we are working.

Coming to SVPRO does not automatically initiate an investigation; however, if you wish to pursue a formal complaint,Ìýwe can support you through the process.Ìý

In addition to supporting those impacted by sexual violence, we also:

  • DeliverÌýtraining, workshops,ÌýandÌýawareness-raising initiatives acrossÌýcampus (please see education offeringsÌýfor more).
  • Provide tailored education upon request (please see education offeringsÌýfor more).
  • Participate inÌýeventsÌýrun byÌýUniversityÌýdepartmentsÌýto promote ourÌýservices, andÌýcollaborate with campus partners to collectively advanceÌý#ConsentCulture messagingÌý(examples include the Campus Life Fair and the GSA’s Safe Love Week)
  • Work withÌýUniversityÌýdepartments and units to create, andÌýcontinually review,ÌýinternalÌýservices andÌýresponses, safety planning procedures, accommodations,Ìýand administered interim measures whenÌýsexual violence is disclosed, reported toÌýSpecial ConstableÌýService,Ìýand/or complaints made via institutional policies.
  • Foster mutualÌýrelationships withÌýdiverseÌýcommunity organizations and networks working to address gender-based violence in order toÌýensure our work on campus is guided by the expertise and skills ofÌýthose whoÌýhave built, sustained, and advocatedÌýfor both survivors of gender-based violence.
  • Collect data and prepareÌýreportsÌýoutlining SVPRO’s workÌýand impact,ÌýasÌýregulatedÌýbyÌýthe Ministry of Colleges and Universities, as well as the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s Board ofÌýGovernors.