Response to Security and Personal Safety Threats

To identify how Seneca Polytechnic responds to security threats and situations where an individual’s personal safety is at risk.

This policy applies to students, employees, contractors, suppliers of services, volunteers and visitors, online and in person.

It addresses situations that place individuals in an unsafe environment that occurs on-campus, online, at Seneca-sanctioned functions off-campus, during work or academic assignments, work-integrated learning placements off-campus, during work or academic-related travel, by telephone and electronic communications.

Any hostile physical act by applying intentional force, such as striking, hitting, pushing or pulling, with or without a weapon by an individual, or individuals, against another person, with the intent to:

• wound, maim or disfigure any person
• endanger the life of any person
• cause hurt or injury to a person that interferes with the health, safety or comfort of that person

An individual who files a complaint alleging a violation of this policy seeking Seneca’s response.

Any act made by an individual that causes another individual to fear for their safety or the safety of anyone known to them as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada. 

Harassment, an assault, sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm, threat of assault, uttering threats of death/damage or any other act that constitutes a violent act.

Any action that would constitute workplace violence, harassment, bullying or psychological harassment.

Real property that is owned, operated or managed by Seneca, as well as equipment provided by Seneca to students and employees.

A criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada, it is any type of unwanted sexual act done by one individual to another that violates the sexual integrity of the victim and involves a range of behaviours from any unwanted touching to penetration.

It is characterized by a broad range of behaviours that involve the use of force, threats or control towards an individual, which makes that individual feel uncomfortable, distressed, frightened, threatened or that is carried out in circumstances in which the individual has not freely agreed, consented to or is incapable of giving consent.

A notification informing the Seneca community of a potential or realized threat to personal safety/security, shared through Seneca’s mass notification channels as appropriate.

Any hostile gesture with the intent of threatening assault, verbally or with gesture that threatens or endangers the safety, health, life or freedom of any person.

A message provided orally or in writing informing an individual that they are prohibited from entering Seneca property.

An act committed by a person who knowingly utters or causes any person to receive a threat to cause death or bodily harm to any person, to damage real or personal property or to cause death or harm to an animal belonging to that person, as defined in the Criminal Code of Canada.

Any hostile or violent act, gesture and/or comment that harms or has the intent to harm another individual.

1. Individuals at Seneca are responsible for contributing to a safe learning and working environment while on Seneca owned or operated properties and during any Seneca-sanctioned activity, whether online or in person.
2. Individuals on Seneca owned or operated properties or participating in any Seneca-sanctioned activity, whether online or in person are responsible for promptly seeking assistance from Security Services or the police in any situation that they believe to be unsafe.
3. Security Services is responsible for:
   • immediate response and initial assessment of security and personal safety threats on Seneca owned or operated properties and during any off-campus Seneca-sanctioned activity, whether online or in person
   • appropriate notifications internally and to emergency services and data collection related to situations where an individual’s security or personal safety are at risk
   • providing relevant information about a situation and/or incident that involves or may involve a student to the Student Conduct Office
   • providing relevant information about a situation and/or incident that involves or may involve an employee to Human Resources
   • overseeing the intake and investigation of security and personal safety threats related to contractors, suppliers of services and visitors on Seneca properties
   • notifying senior administrators of security and personal safety threats
4. The Student Conduct Office is responsible for overseeing the intake and investigation of security and personal safety threats related to students in accordance with applicable Seneca policies.
5. Human Resources is responsible for overseeing the intake and investigation of security and personal safety threats related to employees in accordance with applicable Seneca policies.
6. During an investigation conducted by the Student Conduct Office or Human Resources, Security Services will be notified of any new information that may pose a safety concern to the Seneca community. 
7. Academic or services areas who receive a report of threat to security and personal safety are responsible for reporting the incident immediately to Security Services.

1. Seneca reserves the right to issue a trespass notice, before, during and/or at the conclusion of any investigation and/or resolution to any individual(s) alleged to have committed an act in violation of this policy.
2. Seneca reserves the right to arrest individuals who are deemed to pose an immediate threat and/or who do not adhere to a trespass notice.
3. Seneca may elect to be the complainant in an investigation in circumstances when there is a risk to an individual’s safety or when Seneca has a legal duty to investigate an incident.

1. Security Services will determine the nature of a threat and whether it is specific to one person, a specific group of individuals or the Seneca community.
2. If a threat or act is specific to one person, Security Services will take every precaution and lawful step to protect that individual.
3. If a threat is found to be to the Seneca community, Security Services may issue an appropriate security alert (see Appendix B), depending on the risk to the community.
4. Information about a security alert will be distributed through appropriate mass notification channels.

1. Seneca respects confidentiality by restricting access to information to individuals with a need for such access.

2. Confidentiality cannot be assured in circumstances including, but not limited to, when:

   • an individual is at risk of serious threat to self
   • an individual is at risk of harming another
   • there are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the Seneca or wider community may be at risk of harm
   • where information disclosure is required to investigate a complaint under this policy
   • when disclosure is permitted or required by law

• Appendix A: Procedures for responding to an identified threat to security/personal safety
• Appendix B: Procedure for security alerts related to threats to security/personal safety

• Behavioural Intervention Team Policy
• Emergency Management Policy
• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy
• Inclusion Policy
• Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy
• Occupational Health and Safety Policy
• Respectful Workplace Policy
• Sexual Violence Policy
• Student Code of Conduct

• Collective Agreements:
  • Academic Employee Collective Agreement
  • Faculty Resources
  • Full-Time Support Staff Collective Agreement
  • Part-Time Support Staff Collective Agreement
• Criminal Code of Canada (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1 (Ontario)
• Seneca SAFE app
• Trespass to Property Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.21

1. For those who have experienced, witnessed or have been threatened or affected by an unsafe action and wish to file a report under this policy, their first point of contact should be:
   • Security Services (available 24/7) – (416) 764-0911, security@senecapolytechnic.ca or the Seneca SAFE app
   • Police and Emergency Services (available 24/7) – dial 911
2. Non-emergency situations can be reported to student.conduct@sencapolytechnic.ca for students and hr.help@senecapolytechnic.ca for employees.

1. In the event of a general security threat, Security Services will initiate a security alert using the appropriate mass notification channels. The alert will describe the incident or threat and outline any actions to be taken in response.
2. If it is determined that a security threat is limited to a specific area, campus or   location, a security alert may be initiated only in that area, campus or location.
3. When a security alert is issued, it will contain the following information:
   • reason for the alert
   • issuance and removal dates (where possible) of the alert
   • description of incident/event/occurrence
   • description of individual(s) of concern
   • photo identification of individual(s) of concern, where available and when applicable
   • limits identified by a trespass notice and/or criminal restraining order, where applicable
   • precautionary steps to be implemented (e.g., the use of safety escorts, reporting of suspicious persons or knowledge of an incident and/or suspect to Security Services or police, personal safety tips, etc.)