Tell someone

If you are unsure about whether you want to make a report to police or university, you may want to consider writing down as much detail about the incident as soon as you can. This can be helpful if you decide to report later on. You can also have evidence collected and it can be stored indefinitely until you decide what you want to do.

You can always speak with a staff person at the SVRC, the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management, or your union representative about the process of reporting and university policies without having to make a formal report. They can also advise you on external processes, such as reporting to the police, as well as anonymous or third-party reporting.

Ultimately, deciding whether or not to report sexual violence is your choice. There is no right answer to whether or not to report — it always comes down to what you feel is best for you.

A disclosure is different than a report. A disclosure is when you share your story with anyone who you feel comfortable with. This can include, for example: friends, family, co-workers, a trusted instructor, counsellor, chaplain, doctor and many others.

A report refers to an official report and more formal process, made to either law enforcement or to the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management or Security Services.

The police will take your statement and investigate to determine if there is enough evidence to lay charges.

If the assault has recently occurred, it is helpful to attempt to preserve evidence if you wish to have a forensic exam (e.g., refrain from changing your clothes, showering, eating or brushing your teeth). You do not have to have a forensic exam to make a report to the police.

It is never too late to make a report to the police.

Informal Resolutions are an option available to individuals who do not wish to pursue a formal complaint but would still like to seek a solution. Please contact the SVRC or OHRCM directly to discuss options.

A formal complaint must be submitted in writing to the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management. If you submit a formal complaint, it may proceed to an investigation. If the investigation has found that a breach of policy has occurred, disciplinary action will be taken.

• Disciplinary action for students will be made in accordance with the Student Discipline Bylaw (PDF). Examples of actions the university can take can be found in Table 3 of the Student Discipline Bylaw (PDF).
• Disciplinary action for employees will be made in line with legislation or laws that apply, collective agreements, and university policies, procedures or bylaws.

If you are a student, the SVRC or Student Advocacy can assist you in writing the complaint. If you are staff or faculty, the SVRC can assist you, or you may have access to a union representative. All students, staff and faculty can contact the OHRCM directly.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, the University of Manitoba has an anonymous online reporting system called Silent Observer. It allows anyone to anonymously notify Security Services of an incident.

The Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management also accepts anonymous or third-party complaints, but may be limited in the action they can take regarding investigations and other processes. SVRC staff can help with this process.

The Winnipeg Police Service, in partnership with community organizations, offers an option for anonymous third-party reporting. Third-party reporting allows a survivor to report an assault to a community organization, which will pass the report on to Winnipeg Police or the RCMP. After information is passed to police, if the police want to speak with the survivor they will contact the community organization first, who will then contact the survivor, allowing them to decide whether or not they want to speak to the police.

Please note: complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed if the offender is an intimate partner, or if there is child abuse involved.

Community organizations who offer anonymous third-party reporting include:

• Klinic Community Health Centre
• Ka Ni Kanichihk Heart Medicine Lodge
• Sage House (Mount Carmel Clinic)
• Pluri-elles (in French): 204-233-1735
• Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre (North-Eastern Manitoba): 1-204-753-5353
• Brandon Women’s Resource Centre: 204-726-8632
• The John Howard Society of Brandon: 204-727-1696

Confidentiality is very important when deciding to come forward and disclose an incident of sexual violence to someone. At the University of Manitoba, we understand that keeping information confidential can be a large factor in whether or not a person chooses to disclose, and we respect community member’s experiences and desire for autonomy. 

Everyone should expect to be treated with respect and understanding when making a disclosure at the University of Manitoba. Supports and resources are available regardless of whether or not someone chooses to formally report an incident of sexual violence.

There is no obligation to formally report an experience in order to receive support.

At the SVRC, we take every effort to maintain confidentiality and ask for consent before acting on information provided to us. Any conversations and contact with the Centre are confidential, however, there are instances when we are required to share information with the University and/or outside authorities (i.e. Child and Family Services, Police,
Health Professional Regulatory Bodies, Judicial System, etc.). These may include:

• When an individual discloses imminent physical harm to themselves or others.
• When an individual discloses risk of neglect or emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse of a child (under 18 years old).
• When there is reason to believe the safety of the university community is at risk.
• When the SVRC discovers evidence of sexual violence in a public realm (ie. a video posted on social media).
• When an individual discloses the name of a registered health professional who has acted in a sexually inappropriate way.
• When legally ordered to by a court of law. 

In the case that we are required to report any of the above, the SVRC is committed to supporting you throughout the reporting processes. You have a right to ask for clarification on the limits of confidentiality with SVRC staff at any time. 

The University of Manitoba may initiate an investigation (called a University Instituted Investigation, or UII) and/or report the incident of sexual violence to local police services, even without the consent of the survivor, if it believes that the safety of the university community is at risk or if reporting is required by law. 

In this case, reasonable efforts will be made to preserve the anonymity of the person who disclosed. If the university decides to take any action, they will notify the person who disclosed and work with them to take any additional safety precautions that may be necessary.

Community members who receive a disclosure of sexual violence may also themselves be confused about what information they must share and with whom. Community members are encouraged to consult with the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management or Sexual Violence Resource Centre.

There is no need to reveal identifying information in order to consult. 

A person who discloses their experience to anyone at the University of Manitoba can expect to be treated with respect at all times. Services and supports are always available.