As a responsible institution of higher education, it is the goal of the University of Toronto to do everything possible to create an environment where students, faculty and staff can feel safe to learn, work and live.
Campus Police
Working in partnership with the community, the University Police are dedicated to creating a safe and secure environment. They provide programs on personal safety, protection of property, conflict resolution, maintenance of public order, community service and referral, emergency response assistance, crime prevention and detection, enforcement of the criminal code and selected provincial and municipal statutes and University policies.
Community Safety Office
The Community Safety Office works in partnership with other university resources to ensure safety on campus. The Community Safety Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the ongoing education and outreach initiatives directed at improving safety and security on campus. Programs include:
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Support information and referral to victims of violence, harassment and threats
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Training sessions on dealing with difficult behavior, criminal harassment, non-violent crisis intervention, personal safety on campus and more
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WALKsafer
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Campus safety audits and improvements to physical environments
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Co-ordination of self-defence workshops.
Environmental Health and Safety
Given the diversity of the activities that take place within the various settings of the University, and the types of materials and equipment that may be used, students and staff may be potentially exposed to a wide range of hazards at any given time. The University has established a comprehensive health and safety system that consists of policies, programs, guidelines and procedures. As outlined in its Health and Safety Policy, the University is strongly committed to providing a safe work and study environment for its students, staff and visitors.
Students Affairs has written extensively on the general topic of well being and includes further information about environmental health and safety on the Getting There site.
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
The
EHS serves as a resource to the University community to assist employees, students, and visitors in meeting their obligations towards health and safety. Professional staff can provide information on a wide range of workplace health and safety issues and can assess a variety of hazards in diverse settings and make recommendations to reduce or eliminate associated risks.
Programs and Campaigns
Self Defense Programs
Attackers often avoid people who look secure, confident and strong. Students should plan to take a protective skills or self defense course where they can learn how to assert themselves in ways that will intimidate a would-be attacker. Workshops in women’s self-defence, including basic Wendo, Urban Defensive Tactics (for men and women) and Rape Aggression Defence, are offered on campus throughout the year.
‘WALKsafer’ Programs
Students who feel uncomfortable walking alone between University buildings, parking lots and transit stops near campus, should contact the university police to organize a WALKsafer escort. The service is free.
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- UTCS has a similar program called UTSC Patrol (formerly WALKsafer). Call 416-287-7022.
Ridesafer @ UTSC
The Ridesafer Service is a safety initiative for those UTSC community members who park in the outer parking lots. The Ridesafer bus provides a safer alternative to walking to their parked vehicles alone. Call Grounds and Parking Department at 416-287-7576 for more information.
The 'Ask First' Campaign
Building on the long-standing No Means No Canadian Federation of Students anti-date rape campaign, the Ask First campaign was initiated in response to a specifically identified need to raise awareness of sexual assault and date rape for orientation students, as well as to bring up the issue for all students at the University of Toronto. Originally conceived by a group of administrative staff who deal with sexual assault issues, the actual campaign was designed by a group of student leaders and student services staff.
Counselling and Guides
Assault Counselling
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Assault Counsellor/Educator provides services to students through CALSS who are in crisis as a result of verbal, physical, and/or sexual assault, childhood abuse, and other forms of abuse or violence. These services include crisis counselling; psychotherapy for individuals, partners, families and groups; education and training; court accompaniment; consultation and referral.
Sexual Harrassment
The
Sexual Harassment Office handles complaints of harassment based on sex or sexual orientation at the University of Toronto.
Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual attention or unwanted emphasis on your sex or sexual orientation. It includes any unwelcome pressure for sexual favours, any comments, gestures or other conduct which places an offensive focus on the sex or sexual orientation of another person, and any gender-based conduct that is directed at you and that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or learning environment for you.
Online Harrassment: 'Enough'
Unsolicited electronic communication that is unwanted, persistent, repeated, abusive, obscene or otherwise unwelcome may be actionable under U of T policy. The Enough Web site offers a extensive resources, frequently-asked-questions and university policies to offer guidance to U of T community members on their rights and possible courses of action when dealing with online harassment.
Safety Abroad Program
The Safety Abroad Program offers advice and assistance to members of the University community travelling outside of Canada on University sponsored activities. The Go Global Guide provides online information for international travel as well as information on travel aptitude, budgeting, passports, visas and other documents, packing, emergency contacts, culture shock, issues of diversity and re-entry.
Emergency Housing
The Student Housing Service is available to assist students who are experiencing a
temporary housing crisis.