Sexual Misconduct

This resource is one sections compiled for resources regarding personal safety. To access the other sections, you can follow our link here, it will take you to the introductory resource on Safety which contains a directory to the other sections.
These topics contain content that may be triggering to some, if you feel that you are in crisis please reach out to one of the following or go here for a list of crisis and helplines available in your area.
For Indigenous Peoples, Hope for Wellness: 1-855-242-3310 Available 24/7
For Trans people of all ages, Trans LifeLine: 1-877-330-6366 Available 24/7
For Youth 20 and under, Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 Available 24/7
For people with thoughts of suicide, Suicide Prevention and Support: 1-833-456-4566 Available 24/7

Sexual misconduct is a broad term used to talk about any unwelcomed behaviour of a sexual nature; it encompasses both sexual harassment and sexual assault.

Sexual harassment is any unwanted verbal or physical conduct including, staring, inappropriate questions or jokes, the spreading of explicit rumours, and posting intimate photos online, or sharing them with others.

Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual act including, kissing, touching, as well as both penetrative and non-penetrative intercourse.

Any sexual act without consent is sexual assault. Consent cannot be given if the person is drunk, high, unconscious or sleeping. It also cannot be given if one of the people is in a position of trust, or authority over the other, or if intimidation and/or threats are used.

Consent is not ongoing; you can change your mind, no matter what or where you are in the act. Consent is also conditional; you may consent to intercourse, but only if you both practice safe sex. If someone violates one of your conditions, they have violated your consent. It is also important to know that revoking consent does not require justification or explanation.

Tea Consent

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Facts:

• Out of all reported sexual assaults in Canada, the abuser is someone close to the victim 80% of the time.

• 2SLGBTQ+ people in Canada are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence, intimate partner abuse, and harassment
• An Ontario study found that 73% of Two-Spirited and Transgender Indigenous Peoples have experienced some form of violence, with 43% having experienced physical and/or sexual violence

Resources:

If someone is making you feel unsafe, remember that it is not your fault and that you are not alone. Please consider reaching out for help.

• If you are in need of immediate mental health counselling and/or crisis intervention, you can reach a professional and culturally competent counsellor at Hope for Wellness 24/7 via their online chat counselling services, or by calling 1-855-242-3310
• If you have experienced sexual assault and/or sexual harassment and are looking for support, you can use the Canadian Government’s Sexual Misconduct Support Search Tool to find resources near you
• ca provides information to help connect women and their children across Canada with the nearest shelter for safety and support; and has a handy button to hide the website should you need to hide what you’re doing
• If you are trans or Two-Spirit and you are in crisis or need to talk to someone who understands what you are going through, you can reach call the Trans Lifeline at 1-877-330-6366. While their operators are guaranteed to be on call during the following hours, operators are also frequently available during off-hours, so please call whenever you need to
  • Eastern: 10am – 4am
  • Central: 9am – 3am
  • Pacific: 7am – 1am