Reporting Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Reporting Options
You have the right to decide to whether or not to report sexual violence. There are many different pathways to recovery, regardless of how you choose to move forward, it is helpful to honor the ways in which you care for yourself and receive care from others. No matter the option you choose, we are here to offer you support along the way.
If you've experienced sexual or gender-based violence, you may choose to create a personal record of what happened. Writing down details as soon as you feel able can help preserve your memory of the incident should you decide to make a complaint or report it in the future.
A personal record is created and kept by you. It does not start a formal complaint or investigation, and you are under no obligation to take any further action. If you later decide to report the incident to the university or to police, your personal record may help you recall important details and support your decision-making.
You can create and store your personal record on our REES platform HERE
You may choose to disclose an experience of sexual or gender-based violence to receive support without making a formal complaint to the university. A disclosure allows you to access confidential support, information, safety planning, accommodations, and referrals while maintaining control over what happens next.
You may choose to speak with the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Coordinator, a counsellor, healthcare provider, legal advisor, or any another trusted professional. Making a disclosure does not initiate a formal complaint or investigation, and you can decide whether or not to pursue a complaint with the university or report to police at any time.
You can connect to the campus SGBVP Coordinator at HERE!
The University of Lethbridge has partnered with REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors) to provide a secure online reporting platform for incidents of sexual and gender-based violence.
Through REES, you can choose to submit an anonymous report, allowing the university to better understand patterns of violence on campus without revealing your identity. If you choose, you can also opt in to anonymous two-way messaging, enabling you to receive information, resources, and support while remaining anonymous.
REES also allows you to create a personal record of an incident, connect with the university, report to police, or participate in Repeat Perpetrator Identification (RPI). The platform provides information about campus and community support services and can be accessed online anytime, from anywhere.
You can access REES HERE!
Please note: Anonymous reporting is not considered a formal complaint and will not initiate an investigation. It provides survivors and, where appropriate, third parties with an opportunity to anonymously share information about campus-related sexual and gender-based violence. The information collected through anonymous reports helps the university identify trends, better understand the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence, inform policies and prevention initiatives, and enhance campus safety. No identifying information is required unless you choose to provide it.
Third Party Reporting: If you have knowledge of an incident of sexual or gender-based violence that happened to someone else, you may be able to make a third-party report. Third-party reporting should only be made with the explicit consent of the person who experienced the violence.
Respecting an individual's choice about if, when, and how they disclose their experience is an important part of a survivor-centered approach. Reporting without their consent may remove their sense of control and could negatively impact their healing journey. If someone shares an experience with you, your role is to listen, believe them, provide information about available supports, and respect their decisions.
Choosing to file a formal complaint with the University is a personal decision. If you have experienced sexual or gender-based violence, you have the right to decide if, when, and how you would like to move forward. There is no time limit for filing a complaint under the University's Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Policy.
A formal complaint can be submitted to the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Coordinator or directly to Vice-Provost Students. Please include your name, student number and any details that you want to include in your report. You may also choose to withdraw your complaint at any time. If you decide to do so, support services and accommodations remain available to you.
In some circumstances, the University may have a responsibility to take action when it becomes aware of an incident, even if a formal complaint has not been made or has been withdrawn. This may occur when there are concerns about the safety of the campus community or where the university has legal obligations to respond.
To learn more about the complaint process and your options, please refer to the University of Lethbridge Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Policy.
In addition to University reporting options, you may choose to report an experience of sexual or gender-based violence to an external agency. Depending on your circumstances, this may include reporting to police, pursuing a civil claim, filing a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission, reporting a workplace concern under occupational health and safety legislation, or contacting another appropriate external body.
Choosing to access one reporting option does not prevent you from accessing others. You may also choose to report to the university at any time, and there is no requirement to do so in order to receive support.
If you are seeking support while navigating the criminal justice system, the Aurora Centre (Formerly Chinook Sexual Assault Centre) offers confidential services including crisis support, court accompaniment, peer support groups, advocacy, and referrals. You can continue to access university supports and accommodations while receiving services through community organizations.