7.1 Limits to Confidentiality on Campus
Who has What Limits to Confidentiality on Campus
All employees, and many student leaders, have the following limits to their confidentiality (in other words, they cannot keep a disclosure 100% confidential when):
- An individual discloses immediate risk of suicide or that another identified individual is at risk of immediate harm; and/or
- Someone under the age of 16 is experiencing or witnessing abuse; and/or
- There are concerns for campus safety.
This means that the only times an employee or student leader should share information disclosed to them regarding sexual (or other form of gender based) violence, without the individual’s explicit consent arise when the above situations occur. See following sections for information about who to contact when one of the above situations are disclosed.
***If none of the above instances arise, then all information shared during a disclosure should be kept confidential.***
When employees and student leaders have questions about their limits to confidentiality, they should consult with Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO).
- When consulting with SVPRO, people do not need to share the name of the survivor/victim, nor any identifying information.
Some people on campus have specific limits to their confidentiality:
- Residence Dons, and other student staff in residence, must contact the Residence Life Coordinator on Call, when any disclosure of sexual violence is made to them.
- Please connect with Residence Life Management Team members or SVPRO if you have questions about disclosing within Residence.
- University of Waterloo Health Care Professionals who are Regulated Health Care Professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, social workers (often working as counselors), psychiatrists, etc.) working on campus have Limits to Confidentiality to which they abide as directed by their Regulatory College or body.
University of Waterloo Special Constables also have Limits to Confidentiality to which they abide as Police Officers. For example, Special Constables are obligated to inform Waterloo Regional Police of a Disclosure or Report of Sexual Violence that is brought to their attention, when intimate partner violence is occurring, when there are public safety concerns, and/or when the matter relates to an ongoing charge or investigation.
- Please connect with Special Constables or SVPRO if you have questions about disclosing or reporting to Special Constables.
Confidential Off-Campus Support
If someone wants to speak to a confidential support off campus, SVPRO encourages that they be connected with the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region:
24-hour Support Line 519.741.8633
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region Online Chat
SASC’s Limits to Confidentiality occur when there are immediate safety risks to person calling or to another identified individual and/or when someone under the age of 16 is experiencing or witnessing abuse.