McGill Community Resources

If you are a member of the McGill community, there are specific resources that may be of interest to you.

OSVRSE

What is the Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education (OSVRSE)?

The Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education is a McGill University office that provides confidential, non-judgemental and non-directional support and education to McGill students, faculty and staff of all genders who have been impacted by sexual violence.

The office is committed to working towards the prevention of sexual and gender based violence while fostering a culture of consent at McGill. It was created in 2016 under the Office of the Dean of Students, as a result of the new McGill Policy Against Sexual Violence.

What is the difference between SACOMSS and OSVRSE?

Both SACOMSS and OSVRSE offer support services to individuals who have been impacted by sexual violence. We both offer confidential, non-judgemental, non-directional, free services. Both of our organizations strive to be pro-survivor, feminist, and anti-oppressive.

NOTE: Individuals can access both SACOMSS and OSVRSE services at the same time, along with the various other resources available at McGill.

For more information, please view the differences in the services SACOMSS and OSVRSE offer below:

	SACOMSS	OSVRSE
Services offered	Open to the general public and provide support to survivors, their peers, and their allies. Our services are open to people of all genders and are currently offered in English only, except Support Groups, as they also offer services in French.	Open to McGill students, staff, and faculty who have been impacted by sexual violence. Their services are also open to people of all genders. Services are offered in both English and French. Some services are identity specific (ie. female-identified).
When?	We offer support both in person and over the phone, endeavouring to maintain hours from Noon to 9pm. However, sometimes we have reduced hours as we are a volunteer service. Please check the weekly schedule here for detailed hours.	Open during regular business hours, including drop-in hours Tuesdays from 9am -11am and Fridays 10am – 1pm.
Where?	Our office and drop-in centre has been moved to 680 Sherbrooke, Suite 150. When you enter 680 Sherbrooke, proceed straight through the frosted glass doors, and the SACOMSS office will be on your left. The frosted doors lock after 6pm. If you are locked outside, please knock or call 514-398-8500.	Located off-campus at 550 Shrebrooke O. Suilte 585 (West Tower elevators 1-11). The office is wheelchair accessible. O-SVRSE also offers services on McGill MacDonald Campus.
Volunteer-run or professional	All services are offered by trained volunteers, many of whom are students or community members. We are not professionals. Our support comes in the form of facilitated support groups, active-listening, resource referrals, reporting information, and accompaniment. We are a SSMU service, meaning we operate under the umbrella of the McGill Student Union.	Operated by full time staff, including professional social workers. They offer crisis intervention, short term crisis counseling, referrals, survivor support activities, support groups, reporting information, and accompaniment. They are an office within McGill University under the Office of the Dean of Students.
Reporting Services	Advocacy Branch volunteers are trained to assist and support individuals who are interested in reporting sexual violence at McGill or filing a complaint under a McGill policy. In addition, they are knowledgeable about support and accommodations that are available. They can accompany survivors throughout the entire Sexual Violence Policy reporting process.	OSVRSE staff members can assist in securing administrative accommodations after a disclosure of sexual violence. They can also facilitate initial contact with the investigator of the reporting procedure under the Sexual Violence Policy. However, they cannot accompany survivors to to these meetings.

Office of Mediation and Reporting (OMR)

McGill’s Office of Mediation and Reporting is where you can file a report under McGill’s Policy Against Sexual Violence and Policy on Harassment and Discrimination. If you would like a consultation through the OMR to learn your options, you can schedule an appointment here.