Gender-based & sexual violence

Gender-based and sexual violence includes any form of violence that targets someone based on their sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. It includes the following: 

• Sexual assault - Any sexual contact without consent. This includes (but is not limited to) oral contact, groping or fondling, and penetrative contact. 

• Sexual harassment - Unwanted or demeaning remarks, behaviours, or communications of a sexual nature and/or based on sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. This can include (but is not limited to) demands of a sexual nature, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism, touching of non-sexual body parts, and creating, acquiring, or distributing sexual images or videos.    

• Other forms of gender-based violence - This can include sexist, homophobic, and/or transphobic jokes, comments, and images as well as intimate partner (domestic) violence and violence motivated by sexism, homophobia and transphobia. 

Gender based and sexual violence can have a wide range of impacts on those who experience it. Each person will have a unique reaction. Impacts could include: 

Mental Wellbeing: 

• Feelings of shame, fear, anger, guilt, feeling alone, and feeling misunderstood. 

• Overuse of substances, development of eating disorders, and self-harm  

• Experiencing nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating and sleeping, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

• Feeling irritable, nervous or anxious 

Physical Wellbeing:

• Physical injuries 

• Muscle tension and headaches 

• Stomach aches or pains 

• Unwanted pregnancy 

Social Wellbeing: 

• Discomfort around other students/coworkers 

• Increased anxiety in social settings 

• Withdrawing from friend groups and/or avoiding social engagements 

In November 2023, NAIT approved 7 institutional commitments for addressing GBSV. We are currently working hard to achieve these important initiatives.  

Our Gender Based and Sexual Violence Prevention and Response policy (PDF 284 KB) applies to anyone on a NAIT property or an online learning, working or social environment.  

Our Gender Based and Sexual Violence Disclosure and Supports Procedure outlines disclosures and privacy rights of survivors. 

Our Gender Based and Sexual Violence Complaints Procedure outlines the process for making a formal complaint of GBSV at NAIT.  

Here at NAIT, we use the ARC model (developed by PossibilitySeeds.ca) for responding to a disclosure of GBSV. This includes: 

Acknowledge the disclosure. 

Respond with Care by listening and centering the needs of the person who shared with you. 

Connect with Supports by sharing on and off campus options for support 

Check out this more in-depth guide to the ARC Model. 

NAIT also has a suite of educational opportunities related to GBSV. Please reach out to GBSV@nait.ca for more information. 

If you have experienced gender-based and sexual violence, but are not in immediate need of help, you can make a disclosure to someone you trust at NAIT. You may choose to disclose to access support, seek information about the options available, or simply talk to someone who cares.   

NAIT's GBSV Specialist is trained in receiving disclosures and can help connect you with resources. Other staff with experience receiving disclosures are available at the Student Resolution Office , Student Counselling, the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Human Resources.  

Making a disclosure does not mean you have to make a formal complaint. For further information, refer to NAIT’s Gender Based and Sexual Violence Disclosure and Supports Procedure, which outlines disclosures and privacy rights of survivors. 

If you do not want to get NAIT involved but would like to ensure we have data about the prevalence of GBSV in our learning and working environments, you are able to make an anonymous report through our online reporting platform. No action identifiable information will be collected, and no actions will be taken in relation to your specific experience, but the overall data will inform NAIT’s approach to GBSV prevention and education.  

If you make an anonymous report but later decide to get NAIT involved, you can use the information you already entered on the online platform to make a formal report. 

NAIT’s GBSV specialist is trained in receiving disclosures and can help connect you with resources on and off campus. They are not an emergency resource, and can be reached via email at gbsv@nait.ca.  

For emergencies, contact 911. If you use a NAIT phone, Protective Services will also be alerted. If you use your phone, you should also contact Protective Services once it is safe to do so. 

780-471-7477 

protectiveservices@nait.ca    

D104, Main Campus

Available 24/7

The NAIT Student Counselling team are registered, skilled professionals offering free, confidential help. They offer a holistic approach, and work with students to create a personalized plan to improve their self-care, mental health and overall wellbeing.  

780-378-6133  

counselling@nait.ca

W111PB, HP Centre

Hours
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

NAITSA Peer Support is an anonymous and confidential supportive listening service for students, by students. 

The Distress Line – 780.482.HELP (4357) or call 211.
If risk is immediate, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

NAIT staff and their families have access to an EFAP, which is a confidential information, counselling and referral service at no cost and is completely confidential. 

Health Services is a team of healthcare professionals who provide a variety of free and confidential services to NAIT students and staff.  

780.471.8733

​healthservices@nait.ca

Main Campus - South Lobby O119
Patricia Campus - P130
Souch Campus - Z153F

The Office of Student Conduct & Accountability provides support in matters related to student misconduct, including students who have experienced gender based sexual violence (GBSV) and those alleged to have engaged in GBSV. They can provide students with guidance on addressing a GBSV disclosure, advise them on reporting options related to students, and engage in risk assessment processes to determine if there is a risk of ongoing or increased harm to the NAIT community.   

To contact the Office of Student Conduct & Accountability, email: osca@nait.ca  

SACE provides counselling to people of all genders who have experienced sexual assault ,and operates a support and information line from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day.  

General Office Line: 780-423-4102  

Support & Information Line: 780-423-4121   

info@sace.ca 

One-Line is a private, toll-free talk, text, and chat service that connects individuals who have been impacted by sexual violence to specialized support.  

Chat: https://aasas.ca/      

Call or Text: 1-866-403-8000 

A mental health and wellness hotline dedicated to supporting people in Edmonton's 2SLGBTQIA+ community.  

Call: 1-884-702-7483 (available 24/7) 

SART provides medical care to people of all genders who have been sexually assaulted in the previous seven days. SART can be accessed at any Emergency Room in Edmonton by asking triage to see a SART nurse.