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Sexual Misconduct Policy

  1. GEOS is committed to the prevention of and appropriate response to sexual misconduct.
  2. Sexual misconduct refers to a spectrum of non-consensual sexual contact and behavior including the following:
    • sexual assault;
    • sexual exploitation;
    • sexual harassment;
    • stalking;
    • indecent exposure;
    • voyeurism;
    • the distribution of a sexually explicit photograph or video of a person to one or more persons other than the person in the photograph or video without the consent of the person in the photograph or video and with the intent to distress the person in the photograph or video;
    • the attempt to commit an act of sexual misconduct; and
    • the threat to commit an act of sexual misconduct.

  3. A Complaint of sexual misconduct is different than a Report of sexual misconduct. A Complaint is when the victim/survivor discloses or chooses to tell someone at the institution of an incident of sexual misconduct in order to seek support but may not want to make a formal report to police or the institution. A Report is a formal notification of an incident of sexual misconduct to someone at the institution accompanied by a request for action. A Report does not have to be made by the victim/survivor.

  4. A student making a Complaint will be provided with resolution options and, if appropriate, accommodation, and will not be required or pressured to make a Report.
  5. The process for making a Complaint about sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
  1. The process for responding to a Complaint of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
  • The appropriate member of staff will conduct an investigation and a meeting with all the people involved will be held within 24 hours upon written notification.
  • The appropriate member of staff will provide all parties with his or her written decision within 48 hours.
  1. The process for making a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
  1. The process for responding to a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
  • The appropriate member of staff will conduct an investigation and a meeting with all the people involved will be held within 24 hours upon written notification.
  • The appropriate member of staff will provide all parties with his or her written decision within 48 hours.

9. In In all instances the institution will:

  • Ensure the safety of the victim/survivor.
  • As appropriate, provide emergency numbers for on and off campus security (if applicable), law enforcement, medical assistance, mental health services, and other services.
  • Respect the right of the individual to choose the services they consider most appropriate.

10. It is contrary to this policy for an institution to retaliate, engage in reprisals or threaten to retaliate in relation to a Complaint or a Report.

11. Any processes undertaken pursuant to this policy will be based on the principles of administrative fairness. All parties involved will be treated with dignity and respect.

12. All information related to a Complaint or Report is confidential and will not be shared without the written consent of the parties, subject to the following exceptions:

  • If an individual is at imminent risk of severe or life-threatening self-harm.
  • If an individual is at imminent risk of harming another.
  • There are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the institutional community may be at significant risk of harm based on the information provided.
  • Where reporting is required by law.

  • Where it is necessary to ensure procedural fairness in an investigation or other response to a Complaint or Report.

This institution is certified by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB). Certified institutions must comply with regulatory requirements, including the requirement to have a Sexual Misconduct policy. For more information about PTIB, go to www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca

Dispute Resolution Policy and Procedure

GEOS Languages Plus will attempt to resolve disputes informally. If this policy is unable to provide a resolution, a formal procedure will be applied to ensure a fair outcome. If such is the case, GEOS Languages Plus has established a set of procedures based upon a flexible set of actions aimed at ensuring that ultimate negotiation/arbitration will be undertaken by appropriate persons

Procedure

Step One: Internal Procedure

A student must put his or her complaint into writing and submit it to the appropriate member of staff. In the case of pedagogical matters, students should address their concerns in writing to the school's Academic Coordinator, or to the Program Coordinator if no Academic Coordinator is available. In the case of a discrepancy in monetary matters, the student should address the issue(s) to the school manager.

The appropriate member of staff will conduct an investigation and a meeting with all parties will be held within 24 hours upon written notification

The appropriate member of staff will provide all parties with his or her written decision within 48 hours

In the event that the student has exhausted this process and still maintains an honest belief that the grievance has not been resolved an external grievance procedure is available to attempt to provide a final opportunity for a settlement to be implemented

Step Two: External Procedure

The Director of Operations for GEOS Corporation for may be called in to resolve these external disputes. Students also have the right to contact Languages Canada if the student feels a resolution is not possible. Students should visit the website: www.langaugescanada.ca

Both internal and external procedures are intended to ensure that both parties to a dispute have every opportunity to state their own terms under relatively informal and confidential conditions. It is hoped that very few grievances will carry onto the external procedure stage, but since GEOS Languages Plus' reputation is involved, our institution has a right to demonstrate the equity and fairness of our process, and students have every right to be assured that they will be heard.

This process is not intended to be adversarial or to adhere to an evidentiary code. It is intended to be non-threatening and facilitative. However, parties in such a process will be reminded that the process does not preclude future legal action. Grievances involving matters of transfers between institutions or related to the perceived value of courses would not be considered in this context.

The arbitrator in both internal and external disputes shall interview the appropriate parties separately before and after making any resolutions. The arbitrator shall not take an unreasonable amount of time in settling a grievance. Once a decision has been settled, the arbitrator shall provide all parties with a written summation of the conclusion of the dispute.

Are you interested, but would like further advice in a personal meeting? We look forward to hearing from you!

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