FEB 2019 APPENDIX B: FIELD SAFETY RESEARCH PLAN: SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Original – filed in Lab Safety Binder; Ongoing Safety Training Records
Copy – submit to departmental Administrative Assistant
Appendix B: Field Research Safety Plan:
Sexual Violence
University of Guelph
College of Biological Science
Feb 2019
Preamble
Sexual violence, particularly gendered violence, is a devastating issue that continues to
impact many people in our society. In Canada and the United States, one in three
women will experience sexual violence over their lifetime
1
, and one in five women will
experience sexual assault while attending a post-secondary institution
2
. While
universities offer many resources to survivors of sexual violence, students, staff and
faculty performing field work (conducting research off-campus, often in remote and
isolated locations) are particularly vulnerable. A recent study
3
reports that 62% of
individuals at any stage in their career have experienced sexual harassment at a field
site, and 21.7% have experienced sexual assault. Furthermore, women working in the
field are 3.5 times as likely to experience sexual harassment and 5.5 times as likely to
experience sexual assault as their male colleagues.
Any individual, whether student, staff, or faculty, working in a capacity related to the
University of Guelph has the right to a safe and respectful work environment, free from
discrimination and all forms of sexual violence.
Definitions
The University of Guelph Sexual Violence Policy
4
, defines the following:
1. Sexual Violence means 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, and includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking,
indecent exposure, voyeurism and sexual exploitation
5
2. Sexual Assault is defined as any kind of sexual contact without mutual consent.
It can include unwanted kissing, fondling, oral or anal sex, intercourse or other
forms of penetration, or any other unwanted act of a sexual nature.
6