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Queen’s Board of Trustees has approved the university’s revised Policy on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence Involving Students. 

The revisions were developed further to recommendations received from external consultants, as part of a regular, scheduled policy review last year.  

The review reflects Queen’s ongoing commitment to addressing sexualized violence and was initiated to ensure the university is providing the most effective and trauma-informed response to formal complaints, in alignment with evolving best practices for addressing sexual violence complaints within the post-secondary sector.

The policy updates include:

• Moving further toward less complex complaints processes, using an investigative model where decisions are made without a legalistic hearing process.  
• Students who make a complaint under the policy will now be a party to the process, which will provide them with a right to appeal.  
• Introducing dedicated support for Student-Respondents through the Ombuds Office to ensure academic, wellbeing, and process supports are in place.  
• Introducing the opportunity to use limited measures earlier in the process (pre-complaint)  
• Integrating the interim employee sexual misconduct policy, established by the university in July to comply with provincial legislation (Bill 26)  
• A plain-language review by external counsel.  

The policy updates were developed in consultation with several campus partners, including students.  

The review has also led to changes to processes and supports for students involved in formal complaint processes, including:  

• Reviewing, simplifying, and adjusting language in formal complaint forms and documentation  
• Revising the detail required in initial written complaints
• Ensuring the university is regularly communicating with students about the status of their case
• Reviewing how Queen’s collects and publishes information about disclosures and complaints  

The university’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Task Force, comprising students, faculty, staff, and the Sexual Assault Centre Kingston, continues to lead the coordination of the university’s efforts to address sexualized violence in our community through an annual Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Framework.