The Academy of Excellence (AOE) does not tolerate any form of sexual misconduct. AOE strives to prevent sexual misconduct and respond effectively and in a timely manner when incidents occur. AOE has the responsibility to create safe and respectful campus environments and endeavors to ensure that victims/survivors are supported and treated with compassion. The institution respects the privacy and procedural fairness rights of victims/survivors and alleged perpetrators. This policy applies to sexual misconduct involving students, faculty/staff, contractors, volunteers, and visitors, both on and off campus.

1. 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 individuals other than the person in the photograph or video, without the consent of that person in the photograph or video, and with the intent to distress that person;
• the attempt to commit an act of sexual misconduct; and
• the threat to commit an act of sexual misconduct.

2. A complaint of sexual misconduct is different from a report of sexual misconduct. A person may choose to disclose or complain about sexual misconduct without making a formal report. A report is a formal notification of an incident of sexual misconduct to someone at the institution, accompanied by a request for action.

3. A student, staff member, or other party making a complaint will be provided with resolution options and, if appropriate, accommodations, and will not be required or pressured to make a report.

4. A party may choose to disclose sexual misconduct without making a formal report. In these circumstances, a disclosure/complaint may not result in a report being made and, therefore, may not initiate a formal process.
The process for making a complaint about sexual misconduct involving a student or other party is as follows:

• For all complaints, the complainant has the choice to either submit their complaint verbally or in writing. The complainant must provide the complaint in either format to the Director, who is responsible for making determinations regarding complaints. All complaints made in writing must be emailed to the Director, Lorie Chadsey, at [email protected].
• If the Director is absent or named in a complaint, the complainant must provide the complaint verbally or in writing to the Hair Design Department Manager, Tony Ciprani, at [email protected].

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5. The process for responding to a Complaint of sexual misconduct involving a student or other party is as follows:

• The institution will acknowledge receipt of the complaint either verbally or in writing within 3 days.
• The Director or Hair Design Department Manager will meet with the student or other party within 7 days of receiving the verbal or written complaint.
• The Director or Hair Design Department Manager will conduct whatever inquiries and/or investigations are necessary and appropriate to determine whether the complainant’s concerns are substantiated in whole or in part.
• One of the following will happen;
  a. If it is determined that the complainant’s concerns are not substantiated, the Director or Hair Design Department Manager will provide a verbal or written explanation of the decision and deny the complaint, or;
  b. If it is determined that the complainant’s concerns are substantiated in whole or in part, the Director or Hair Design Department Manager will propose a resolution verbally or in writing.
• Written reasons (if requested) for the determination will be provided to the complainant within 30 days after the date on which the complaint was made.

6. The process for making a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student or other party is as follows:

• The complainant must provide the written complaint to the Director who is responsible for making the determinations in respect of complaints. All complaints must be made in writing and emailed to the Director, Lorie Chadsey at [email protected].
• If the Director is absent or is named in a complaint, the student or other party must provide the complaint in writing to the Hair Design Department Manager, Tony Ciprani at [email protected].

7. The individual filing a Report to the institution may withdraw the report, although depending on the circumstances, the institution may continue to act on the matter. A Report of sexual misconduct may be filed under the policy by any member of the campus community and it is contrary to this policy for anyone to retaliate, engage in reprisals, or threaten to retaliate in relation to a Report.

The process for responding to a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student or other party is as follows:

• The institution will acknowledge receipt of the complaint either verbally or in writing within 3 days.
• The Director or Hair Design Department Manager will meet with the complainant within 7 days of receiving the written complaint.
• The Director or Hair Design Department Manager will conduct whatever inquiries and/or investigations are necessary and appropriate to determine whether the complainant’s concerns are substantiated in whole or in part.
• One of the following will happen;
  a. If it is determined that the complainant’s concerns are not substantiated, the Director or Hair Design Department Manager will provide a written explanation of the decision and deny the complaint, or;
  b. If it is determined that the complainant’s concerns are substantiated in whole or in part, the Director or Hair Design Department Manager will propose a resolution in writing.
• Written reasons for the determination will be provided to the complainant within 30 days after the date on which the complaint was made.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.