The University of Toronto Tri-Campus Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre is now open at its three locations across the University. At U of T Scarborough, the Tri-Campus Centre is located in Room 141 in the Environmental Science & Chemistry Building, operating from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until September 1, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from September 5 onwards. After hours, calls can be made to the Centre at 416-978-2266 or to Campus Community Police at 416-978-2222.
The U of T Scarborough Centre was designed to provide a welcoming, safe environment and was created through consultation with representatives from across the campus. “Getting the Centre up and running was a quintessential U of T Scarborough experience,” says Dean of Student Affairs & Services Desmond Pouyat. “This was truly a partnership and collaboration of students and staff, and the model we will bring to our work with our Tri-Campus Centre colleagues.”
Colleen Boehme, a social worker and counselor advocate, serves as the Centre coordinator. She has an extensive background in the violence against women sector and Indigenous community. A graduate of U of T’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, Boehme is an avid group facilitator and brings to the position an understanding of complex trauma, gender-based violence and concurrent disorders.
Paula Lam is the Tri-Campus Centre Coordinator at U of T Mississauga, where the Centre is located in the Davis Building, 3094G. Paula has a master’s degree in Sociology from U of T and has worked for organizations in the area of sexual violence, equity and diversity, including the Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Centres in Halton and York Regions, the Assaulted Women’s Helpline, the Peel Committee Against Woman Abuse and the Regional Diversity Roundtable of Peel.
The Tri-Campus Centre on the St. George campus is currently located in Room 606, Claude T. Bissell Building, 140 St. George Street, and will be moving to 702 Spadina Avenue, 1st floor, open effective July 11. Meg Saxby, a social worker, educator and clinician with more than 10 years experience in feminist sexual health, newcomer advocacy and the co-operative movement, is the coordinator of the Tri-Campus Centre at the downtown campus.
The Tri-Campus Centre is a key part of the University’s Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harrassment, which covers all members of the U of T community. Centre staff are available to receive disclosures, take and provide options for formal reports to the University, and offer services and supports related to incidents of sexual violence. The Centre also offers training and education, and staff provide support for those who disclose an incident, manage the process for sexual violence reporting and is the first point of contact for those who need accommodation.
The three new Centres—one on each campus—are part of a series of measures to improve safety and coordinate services. The University’s policy makes a clear distinction between disclosing an incident and making a formal report, which is not required in order to access support.