What is Sexual Violence and Sexual Misconduct?

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"Sexual Violence" refers to any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression, whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened, or attempted against a person without the person’s consent. 

Sexual violence includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, technology-facilitated sexual violence, indecent exposure, voyeurism, and sexual exploitation.

"Sexual Misconduct" in relation to a student at Centennial can include:

Physical sexual relations, touching of a sexual nature or behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature toward the student by an employee of the institution

Other examples of Sexual misconduct may include:

  • Sexual solicitation or advances by an employee towards a student, 
  • Sexual assault,
  • Sexual harassment, and 
  • Sexual violence. 

Sexual violence and/or sexual misconduct is about power and control, not sexual desire. It is an act of aggression against another person and it is never the survivor’s fault (It's Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment). For more information about the Ontario Government's Action Plan: It's Never Okay, visit the We can all help stop sexual violence webpage.

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