1. Purpose

• The purpose of this policy is to ensure that A.P.R. Welding & Consulting Corp. provides a safe and respectful environment for all members of the college community. This policy outlines the institution's commitment to preventing sexual violence and harassment, providing support to those affected, and ensuring a prompt and fair response to all reported incidents.

2. Scope

• This policy applies to all members of the A.P.R. Welding & Consulting Corp. community, including students, faculty, staff, contractors, volunteers, and visitors. It covers conduct that occurs:
• On-campus
• During college-related activities off-campus
• Online, including social media and other digital communications.

3. Policy Statement

• All members of A.P.R. Welding & Consulting Corp. have a right to study and work in an environment free of sexual violence. The college is committed to providing members of our college community an educational environment free from sexual violence and treating those individuals who report incidents of sexual violence with dignity and respect.
• To that end A.P.R. Welding & Consulting Corp. will educate and train faculty, staff and students about this policy and how to identify situations that involve, or could progress into, sexual violence and how to reduce these forms of prohibited behaviours.

4. Definitions and Acronyms

• Workplace: Any land, premises, location, social media outlets, or thing at, upon, in or near where a worker works.

• Sexual Violence: Includes any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression without consent. This encompasses, but is not limited to:
• Sexual Assault
• Sexual Harassment
• Stalking
• Indecent Exposure
• Sexual Exploitation

• Sexual Misconduct: Includes any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
• Submission to such conduct is made a condition of an individual’s education or employment.
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for academic or employment decisions.
• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

• Complainant: The person making an allegation will be referred to as the complainant

• Respondent: The person accused of engaging in sexual violence will be referred to as the respondent

5. Responsibilities

5.1. THE COLLEGE

• A.P.R. Welding & Consulting Corp. is responsible to provide adequate training to everyone that is part of the college community and to outline the proper procedures required to address any situation that could contain sexual violence.
• The Sexual Violence Policy shall be published on our website, placed on our Occupational Health and Safety Boards, and a copy of the policy will be provided to anyone who requests it.
• A.P.R. Welding & Consulting Corp. will also consider student input in the development of the policy and will review it once every three years, at a minimum, again considering input from students.
• A.P.R. Welding & Consulting Corp. will also include the policy in every student enrolment contract, and keep a record on:
• the number of times supports, services, and accommodations relating to sexual violence are requested and obtained by students;
• any initiatives established to promote awareness of the services and supports available to students;
• the number of incidents and complaints of sexual violence reported by students, and information about such incidents and complaints; and
• the implementation and effectiveness of the policy
• Where a complaint has been made, under this policy, the College will take all reasonable steps to investigate it, including as follows:
• responding promptly to any complaint and providing reasonable updates to the complainant and the respondent about the status of the investigations;
• assisting those who have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment in obtaining counselling and medical care;
• providing those who have experience sexual violence or sexual harassment with appropriate academic and other accommodation;
• providing those who have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment with information about reporting options; and
• providing on-campus investigation procedures for sexual violence complaints.

5.2. INSTRUCTORS

• The Instructors will take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual violence and sexual harassment on campus or at college events and will report immediately to the Campus Director or Jeremy Belair, designate for this policy, if they are subject to, witness, or have knowledge of sexual violence, or have reason to believe that sexual violence has occurred or may occur.

5.3. STUDENTS

• The students are responsible to maintain a safe and healthy campus community by refraining from all activities defined under sexual violence. They also have a responsibility to report immediately to their Campus Director or Sean Grant, designate for this policy, if they are subject to, witness or have knowledge of sexual violence, or have reason to believe that sexual violence or sexual harassment has occurred or may occur.
• Students who disclose their experience of sexual violence through reporting an incident of, making a complaint about, or accessing supports and services for sexual violence, will not be asked irrelevant questions during the investigation process by the career college’s staff or investigators, including irrelevant questions relating o the student’s sexual expression or past sexual history.
• Students who have been affected by Sexual Violence or who need information about support services should contact Sean Grant, designate for this policy.

6. Reporting and Responding to Sexual Violence

• How to Report: Incidents of sexual violence or harassment can be reported to their instructor, Campus Leader or Alyssa Belair, or a designated college official. Reports can be made in person, by phone, or email.
• Confidentiality: All reports will be treated with the highest degree of confidentiality. Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis or as required by law, except in those circumstances they believe an individual is at imminent risk of self-harm, or of harming another, or there are reasonable grounds to believe that other in the career community are at risk. This will be done by:
• ensuring that all complaints/reports and information gathered as a result of the complaint/reports will only be available to those who need to know for the purposes of investigation, implementing safety measures, and other circumstances that arise from any given case; and
• ensuring that the documentation is kept in a separate file from that of the complainant, student or the respondent
• Support Services: Upon receiving a report, the college will provide the complainant with information about available resources, including counseling, medical care, and academic accommodations.

7. Investigating Reports of Sexual Violence

• Initiation: The college will promptly initiate an investigation upon receipt of a report of an incident, or a complaint of alleged sexual violence being made Alyssa Belair, designate for this policy, will respond promptly.
• Procedure:
• Both the complainant and the respondent will have the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses.
• The investigation will be conducted by trained personnel who are impartial and free from any conflict of interest.
• The college will provide regular updates to both parties about the status of the investigation.
• Interim Measures: The college may implement interim measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the complainant and the college community. This can include no-contact orders, academic accommodations, and changes to work or class schedules.
• Outcome: The investigation will result in a written report outlining the findings and any disciplinary actions to be taken. Both the complainant and the respondent will be informed of the outcome.

8. Disciplinary Measures

• If it is determined by A.P.R. Welding & Consulting Corp. that a member of our career college community has been involved in sexual violence, immediate disciplinary or corrective action will be taken. This may include:
• For Students: Disciplinary actions may include suspension, expulsion, mandatory counseling, or other appropriate measures.
• For Employees: Disciplinary actions may include termination of employment, suspension, mandatory training, or other appropriate measures.
• For Others: Contractors, volunteers, or visitors found to have violated this policy may be banned from campus or have their contracts terminated.
• In cases where criminal proceedings are initiated, A.P.R. Welding & Consulting Corp. will assist police agencies, lawyers, insurance companies, and courts to the fullest extent.

9. Appeal

• Should the complainant or the respondent not agree with the decision resulting from the investigation, he or she may appeal the decision to the A.P.R. Welding Academy Director, within seven calendar days by submitting a letter addressed to the Director advising of the person’s intent to appeal the decision.

10. Making False Statements

• It is a violation of this policy for anyone to knowingly make a false complaint of sexual violence or sexual harassment or to provide false information about a complaint.
• Individuals who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary and/or corrective action, up to and including termination of employment of instructors or staff or expulsion of a student.

11. Reprisal

• It is a violation of this policy to retaliate or threaten to retaliate against a complainant, acting in good faith, who has brought forward a complaint of sexual violence or sexual harassment, provided information related to a complaint, or otherwise been involved in the complaint investigation process.
• Individuals who violate the Sexual Violence Policy are subject to disciplinary and/or corrective action, up to and including termination of employment of instructors or staff or expulsion of a student.
• If students, in good faith, report an incident of, or make a complaint about, sexual violence, they will not be subject to discipline or sanctions for violations of the career college’s policies relating to drug or alcohol use at the time the alleged sexual violence occurred

12. Review

• Subsequent to the initial implementation of this Policy, A.P.R. Welding Academy & Consulting Corp. shall ensure that student input is considered in the development of its Sexual Violence Policy at each time it is reviewed or amended.
• A.P.R. Welding Academy & Consulting Corp. shall review its Sexual Violence Policy three years after it is first implemented and amend it where appropriate. The next date of review is April 1, 2025.

13. Collection of Student Data

• A.P.R. Welding Academy shall collect and be prepared to provide upon request by the superintendent of Career Colleges such data and information as required according to subsections 32. 3 (8), (9) and (10) of Schedule 5 of the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005 as amended.

References

Occupational Health and Safety Act

Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005

Student Handbook

Sexual Assault Centre's (Ontario)

Region                                                            Sexual Assault Centre                                                            24/hr Phone #                                                            Office Phone #

Algoma Region (Sault Ste. Marie)             Women in Crisis (Algoma) Inc                                              1-877-759-1230                                                         705-759-1230

Brantford                                                       Sexual Assault Centre of Brant                                             519-751-3471                                                             519-751-1164

Chatham-Kent                                              Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre                       519-354-8688                                                             519-354-8908

Cornwall                                                        Sexual Assault Support Services of Women of SDG&A    613-932-1603                                                              613-932-1755

Durham Region                                            Durham Rape Crisis Centre                                                    905-668-9200                                                             905-444-9672

Guelph-Wellington                                       Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis                                      519-836-5710                                                              519-836-1110

Halton                                                            SAVIS of Halton                                                                        905-875-1555                                                              905-825-3622

Hamilton                                                       Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton Area (SACHA)                   905-525-4162                                                             905-525-4573

Kingston                                                        Sexual Assault Centre Kingston                                             613-544-6424                                                              613-545-0762

Kitchener-Waterloo                                     Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region            519-741-8633                                                              519-571-0121

London                                                          Sexual Assault Centre London                                                519-438-2272                                                              519-439-0844

Muskoka/Parry Sound                               Muskoka/Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services                   1-800-461-2929                                                          705-646-2122

Niagara Region                                            Niagara Sexual Assault Centre                                                905-682-4584                                                              905-682-7258

North Bay                                                      Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing               705-476-3355                                                              705-840-2403

Ottawa                                                           Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre                                                      613-562-2333                                                               613-562-2334

Peel Region                                                   Hope 24/7 (Sexual Assault Centre of Peel)                          1-800-810-0180                                                           905-792-0821

Peterborough                                               Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre                                              1-866-298-7778                                                           705-748-5901

Sarnia-Lambton                                          Sexual Assault Survivors' Centre Sarnia-Lambton               619-337-3320                                                               519-337-3154

Simcoe/Muskoka                                       Huronia Transition Homes                                                        1-800-461-1750                                                           705-526-3221

St. Catharine's                                             Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre                                 905-682-4584                                                              905-682-7258

Sudbury                                                        Sudbury Sexual Assault Crisis Centre                                     705-575-4760                                                             705-671-5495

Thunder Bay                                                Thunder Bay Sexual Assault Services                                      807-344-4502                                                            807-345-0894

Toronto                                                         Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape 416-597-8808                                                   519-597-1171

Windsor-Essex                                            Sexual Assault Crisis Centre Windsor-Essex                         519-253-9667                                                             519-253-3100

York Region                                                 Women's Support Network of York Region                            1-800-263-6734                                                          905-895-3646

No Show Policy

Definition of a No-Show: A no-show is defined as any missed appointment without proper notification given at least 24 hours in advance.



Notification Requirements: Clients must notify us of any cancellations or rescheduling needs at least 24 hours prior to their scheduled test slot. Notification can be made by phone or email.

No-Show Fee: Clients who fail to provide the required 24-hour notice for cancellations or rescheduling will be charged a no-show fee.

Exceptions: We understand that emergencies and unforeseen circumstances can arise. Exceptions to the no-show policy may be made at the discretion of management on a case-by-case basis.

Payment of No-Show Fees: No-show fees must be paid before scheduling any future appointments. Failure to pay the no-show fee may result in the suspension of booking privileges.