Definitions
Assault – a threatened (verbal and/or through menacing gestures) or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped. For further information on what can be defined as an assault, please refer to section 265(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Discrimination – a practice or action, whether intentional or not, and based upon prohibited grounds of discrimination, that imposes burdens, obligations or disadvantages on an individual or group that are not imposed on others, or that withholds or limits access to opportunities, benefits and advantages available to other members of the University community.
Harassment – to disturb, irritate, or torment persistently.
Hate crime – a crime, usually violent, motivated by prejudice or intolerance toward a member of a gender, racial, religious, or social group.
Indecent act – most incidents labeled under this category involve flashing, streaking, or masturbatory acts. Every one who willfully does an indecent act in a public place in the presence of one or more persons, or in any place, with intent thereby to insult or offend any person, is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Sexual assault – an assault (as defined in the Criminal Code of Canada) that is committed in circumstances of a sexual nature such that the sexual integrity of the victim is violated. The part of the body touched, the nature of the contact, the situation in which it occurred, the words and gestures accompanying the act, and all other circumstances will be relevant.
Sexual harassment – The making of unwanted and offensive sexual advances or of sexually offensive remarks or acts, especially by one in a superior or supervisory position. If you believe you’ve been sexually assaulted and/or harassed, there are a number of options for handling the situation. These include:
- Contacting the Campus Safety Services (613-520-3612)
- Contacting Equity Services and speak to an Equity Adviser (613-520-5622)
- Contacting the Ottawa Police Service (613-246-1222)
Racial harassment – harassment directed at a person or group on the basis of race. It includes physical assault or interference; inappropriate display or transmission of material or graffiti that is racist, ethnic or religious in a demeaning manner; as well as racist jokes, anecdotes, slurs (including racially derogatory nicknames) or comments-insulting, demeaning or derogatory toward a person because of race-that are obviously offensive or continue after the speaker is informed that the comments are unwelcome and/or have caused offense.
Trespassing – a wrongful interference with the possession of property (personal property as well as private property), entry to another’s property without right or permission, or failing to leave an area when requested to do so by a person with authority over that area.