Confidentiality

Confidentiality is essential in making someone feel safe to disclose sexual violence, and seek support and accommodation. The survivor has the right to choose when, how and to whom they disclose to. They should never be pressured to share with anyone unless they want to.  

Within Our Office

All discussions with the Consent Comes First Office are confidential, however, there are times when we are obligated to share information, including;

1. If an individual discloses that a child (under 16 years old) is at risk of emotional and/or physical neglect or emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse, we are required by law to report this to the Children’s Aid Society.
2. If an individual discloses imminent risk of physically harming self or others.
3. If an individual discloses sexually inappropriate behaviour by another health professional and their name is provided, we are required to report this to their regulatory body.
4. When court-ordered.
5. If an individual discloses that they have been sexually assaulted or harassed by a Toronto Metropolitan faculty member or staff person.
6. If an individual discloses that there is evidence of sexual violence in a public realm (ie. a video posted on social media).

If any of these situations apply to you, you will be supported at every step of the process. At any point, you have the right to clarify the boundaries of the Consent Comes First staff’s confidentiality.

Maintenance of Statistics

Our office maintains annual statistics on both disclosed and reported incidents of sexual violence on campus. The data does not include any information that would identify a community member. We do this for the purposes of community education and required legislated reporting.