Get Support
If you have been affected by sexual violence or gender-based violence, know it is not your fault.
Consent Comes First is here for you. We work with TMU students to connect to services, help think through options for safety and healing as well as create a space on campus to take a breath. It doesn't matter when, with who or how the violence occurred, we are here to listen and support.
Contact Us
Email: osvse@torontomu.ca
Office: KHW 279
“She made me aware of all my options by clearly explaining each scenario and what could potentially happen as a result, all while maintaining my privacy. She also respected my choices when it came to choosing whether or not to report my assault. I was extremely fearful of seeing my attacker but she made me feel safe by offering me different resources like checking class schedules for conflicts, providing me with safe spaces to be in, and just offering continuous support. I really am so grateful."
Consent Comes First Service User
Tell yourself. Sometimes the first person we need to tell is ourselves. Too often we can convince ourselves that it wasn’t “so bad”, that we can “handle it” or that it was somehow our fault.
Seek medical care. (opens in new window) Even if there are no obvious injuries or you don’t want to report the assault to the police, it is important to seek medical attention if the assault just happened. We can help you with that process - even accompanying you to a health care provider.
Connect with support. Contact sexual TMU's violence support and education team, Farrah Khan and Tiffany Wong. They are here to listen to you, and will help you access resources and make an informed decision about next steps - if and when you choose to.
How Consent Comes First Can Support You
You have access to our support regardless if the sexual violence happened on-or-off campus or if you were affected by sexual violence or gender-based violence before you came to Toronto Metropolitan University.
With your consent, we can help you with:
- Understanding the reporting options available to you
- Navigating systems and resources within the university and the community
- Connecting and accompaniment to legal, housing or health services
- Coordinating academic considerations and workplace considerations
- Connecting to financial support
- Exploring self-care resources
- Providing safety planning (online, physical, emotional)
- Referrals to counselling, health services & legal support
- Coordinating translation and interpretation support
- Providing communication support (ghostwritten emails, brainstorming how to have difficult conversations, responding to harassment
Legal Support
- Supporting you in filing police reports
- Attend court with you
- Connecting clients with lawyers, organizations & advocates
- Supporting clients in building claims packages, such as CICB
- Systems navigation; civil and criminal justice systems, as well as workplace policies and legislation, such as OHSA
Health Advocacy
- Accompanying you to medical appointments
- Supporting you in finding appropriate specialists and clinics
- Connecting you with STI testing referral and accompaniment
- Writing support letters
Workplace Accommodations
- Work with leaders to understand the impacts of sexual violence in the workplace
- Supporting employees in seeking time off, utilizing domestic and medical leave
- Supporting employees in requesting specific workplace accommodations
- Safety-planning with employees
Academic Considerations
- Supporting students in seeking temporary extensions and other academic solutions
- Working with students to create academic plans that fit their needs
- Connecting students with appropriate academic supports and offices
- Seeking additional academic solutions