Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policies for Post-Secondary Institutions

Course Chair
Li-Jeen Broshko — General Counsel, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby 

About the Course Chair
Li-Jeen Broshko is General Counsel at Simon Fraser University and, as the university’s chief legal officer, acts in all legal matters involving the university.  She provides advice and guidance to her fellow executives and the board on a full range of legal issues, assesses potential legal risks to the university and is the university's senior policy adviser.  Prior to joining the university in 2010, Li-Jeen was a commercial litigator at Stikeman Elliott.  Li-Jeen is a co-editor of the Handbook of Canadian Higher Education Law, recently published by McGill-Queens University Press and she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in law, public policy, and post-secondary administration.

 
Planning Committee
Don Barnhardt — General Counsel, University of Victoria, Victoria
Kimberley Beck — Legal Counsel, Office of the University Counsel, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Scott Blackford — Legal Counsel, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops
Li-Jeen Broshko — General Counsel, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby
John Sparks — General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops

Faculty
Don Barnhardt — General Counsel, University of Victoria, Victoria
Kimberley Beck — Legal Counsel, Office of the University Counsel, University of BC, Vancouver
Scott Blackford — Legal Counsel, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops
Li-Jeen Broshko — General Counsel, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby
Susan Danard — Managing Director, Public Affairs, University of BC, Vancouver
Paul Hancock — Legal Counsel, Information and Privacy, University of BC, Vancouver
Kimberly R. Hart — Gilligan-Hackett and Company, Vancouver
J. Kenneth McEwan, QC — Hunter Litigation Chambers, Vancouver
Tim Rahilly – Vice Provost, Students and International, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby
Andrea F. Raso — Clark Wilson LLP, Vancouver
John Sparks — General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops

Welcome and Introduction

Introduction to the Topic:

• national media coverage
• activism and public policy
• legislative landscape in Canada

Li-Jeen Broshko — General Counsel, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby

Legislation and Policy Approaches

• BC’s Legislation:
  • overview
  • definitions
  • scope and jurisdiction

• Institutional responses:
  • responses: accommodation and reporting
  • hearing vs investigation
  • adjudication and discipline
  • appeals

Don Barnhardt — General Counsel, University of Victoria, Victoria
Kimberley Beck — Legal Counsel, Office of the University Counsel, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Scott Blackford — Legal Counsel, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops
John Sparks — General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops

Sexual Violence on Campuses

• overview of sexual violence on campuses
  • why post-secondary institutions are at the centre of this issue: consent/residences/international students
  • education, awareness, and resources: traditional programs and policy driven initiatives
  • accommodation
  • student conduct policies
  • campus security
  • coordination with police in investigations
• what is trauma-informed, victim-centred practice

Tim Rahilly — Vice Provost, Students, and International, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby

Break

Preparing Investigation Reports

• key elements of the report
• interviewing the complainant
• reviewing the evidence/witnesses
• putting the allegations to the respondent
• responses
• drafting the report (facts only or facts and recommendation)

Andrea F. Raso — Clark Wilson LLP, Vancouver

Questions and Discussion

Networking Lunch

Adjudication, Discipline, and Appeals

• what processes will institutions need to have in place to adjudicate and discipline, if warranted, after receipt of an investigation report?
• what are the various policy approaches to adjudication:
  • investigator or institution to determine breach?
  • who imposes discipline — administrator, president?
• what appeal processes are provided for under the policies/collective agreements:
  • true appeals before university tribunals
  • arbitrations under collective agreements
• availability of judicial review

Kimberly R. Hart —Gilligan-Hackett and Company, Vancouver

The Role of the Respondent's Counsel

• gathering the facts
• participation and cooperation
• understanding the discipline process
• appeals
• other legal consequences
• media considerations

J. Kenneth McEwan, QC — Hunter Litigation Chambers, Vancouver

Break

Privacy Issues, Media, and Communications

• striking a balance between transparency and privacy
• relevant privacy principles
• disclosing information during and after the investigation to:
  • complainants and respondents
  • witnesses
  • university community
  • media
  • law enforcement authorities
• challenging issues
  • disclosing disciplinary measures
  • maintaining confidentiality of investigation
  • correcting misleading/inaccurate information

Susan Danard — Managing Director, Public Affairs, University of BC, Vancouver
Paul Hancock —Legal Counsel, Information and Privacy, University of BC, Vancouver

Pitfalls and Hot Topics Plenary

• pathway to adopting a policy:
  • legislation and government
  • stakeholder consultation
  • sector alignment
  • policy approaches
• alternative pathways:
  • Human Rights tribunals
  • claims for damages
  • judicial review
• social media pitfalls
• false accusations 

Li-Jeen Broshko — General Counsel, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Kimberley Beck - Legal Counsel, Office of the University Counsel, University of British Columbia
Susan Danard — Managing Director, Public Affairs, University of BC, Vancouver
Paul Hancock — Legal Counsel, Information and Privacy, University of BC, Vancouver
Kimberly R. Hart — Gilligan-Hackett and Company, Vancouver
J. Kenneth McEwan, QC — Hunter Litigation Chambers, Vancouver