University of Windsor professors, coaches to learn how to respond to reports of sexual violence

Coaches and professors at the University of Windsor will soon be trained on how to properly respond to reports of sexual assault thanks to a new workshop.

• Sexual assault policy being drafted by University of Windsor

• Sexual assault program at University of Windsor expanding

Staff members are often the first to be approached by assault survivors, according to project coordinatorCait Casey. Although coaches and teachers may want to help they often feel unprepared, she added.

"This discomfort seemed to come mostly from folks wanting to be able to do the right thing, but also not wanting to cross boundaries or cause harm," she said.

• Sexual assault centre to teach Windsor minor hockey players respect for women

The three-hour workshop was developed during a one-year consultation process that includedfeedback from staff and is based on three key wordsrecognize, respond and refer.