Student Safety and Wellness Resources and Procedures
On this page:
Wellness Resources @ McGill
Please note that wellness advisors are available to you for any questions or concerns you may have. Take some time to consult the Student Wellness Hub website before and during your internship to familiarize yourself with the resources available to you: https://www.mcgill.ca/wellness-hub/. Here are important resources accessible through the Wellness Hub:
Local Wellness Advisors (LWA)-Education: The LWA connects students to appropriate resources on and off-campus, psychoeducational and skill-based workshops, outreach, and wellness promotion, as well as individual one on one appointments.
Keep me Safe. A mental health counselling service providing 24/7 access to licensed counsellors in 60+ languages through telephone and mobile chat via the MY SSP app.
Please note: You must be located in the province of Quebec to access the following Hub clinicians:
Access Advisors: One-on-one appointments for general mental health support and questions regarding services and referrals.
Sexual Violence During an Internship
If you have experienced sexual violence know that it is not your fault.
For immediate or 24/7 support you can call the provincial sexual violence helpline at (1-888-933-9007 / 514-933-9007).
Book and appointment with the Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education
McGill University takes sexual violence including sexual harassment, assault and gender-based violence very seriously and is committed to proactive measures to prevent and respond to sexual violence in any of its forms. If you, a student of the University, are participating in an internship or co-op experience, know that the University offers support if you experience sexual violence of any kind.
Before you start your internship, familiarize yourself with your host culture’s attitudes towards gender roles, ethnicity, sexual orientation, race and different religions. Laws and systems of justice are not universal. Sexual assault and domestic violence may be handled very differently from Canada.
What is Sexual Violence?
Sexual violence refers to physical or psychological act or acts of a sexual nature that is threatened, attempted or committed towards a person without their consent. It may be directed towards a person’s sexual orientation, sexual or gender expression, or gender identity. It includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism, cyber violence and interpersonal or intimate partner violence.
Sexual violence is influenced by intersecting forms of oppression and discrimination, including but not limited to sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and classism.
What to Do if You Experience Sexual Violence during Your Internship?
Whether you are in Canada or abroad, know that you are not alone and that McGill is here to support you. Students in need of support, who have questions about an experience, have witnessed harm or who are concerned about a situation have several options available to them:
- Connect with the Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education (OSVRSE). Appointments at the OSVRSE can be booked through the button at the top of this page, by emailing osvrse [at] mcgill.ca, or by calling 514-398-3954. The OSVRSE provides confidential, survivor-focused, and non-judgmental support to all members of the University community. To learn more about the OSVRSE visit mcgill.ca/osvrse
- Contact your Internships Administrator, B.A.(Education) Student Advisor, or other University advisor.
- Seek personal supports
Accommodations
Accommodations are designed to promote your safety, well-being, and continued access to educational programs and activities. Accommodations and protective measures are available regardless of whether you report your experience for investigation. To discuss what accommodations or protective measure might be available and helpful to you, please contact the Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education or your Internships Administrator, Student Advisor, or other University Advisor.
Reporting
Depending on the particular circumstances of your internship or co-op position, various reporting options may be available to you. To learn more, contact the Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education or your Internships Administrator, Student Advisor, or other University Advisor.
Safety resources for internship experiences abroad
International educational experiences offer many benefits to students but can also expose them to certain travel, health, and safety risks. Students must familiarize themselves with their destination country and prepare for risks they may encounter during their travel or stay abroad.
It is your responsibility to always maintain a high level of security awareness. It is your responsibility to inform the Internships Administrator of any major concerns or issues that could jeopardize your personal safety throughout your internship. Remember to leave a copy of your emergency contact information with your host organization.