A simple, secure online platform for students to document and share incidents of sexual violence
The Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre (SVPS Centre), with the support of the University of Toronto Student Union (UTSU), is pleased to announce the launch of a pilot of REES–a simple, secure online platform for documenting and sharing information about incidents of sexual violence. This pilot will run until the end of May 2027. Users will continue to have access to their records once the pilot ends.
Users of REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors) may choose to:
- Safely record and store their narrative without sharing any information with the SVPS Centre or the University of Toronto.
- Make an Anonymous Disclosure to the SVPS Centre to inform public education projects, policy development, and safety planning.
- Anonymously chat with a designated support person from the SVPS Centre using the Message Centre.
- Use the Connect to the SVPS Centre feature to share all or part of their recorded narrative with the SVPS Centre and book an in-person or virtual appointment.
- Use the Repeat Person Identification (RPI) tool to identify an individual of concern. If others also identify this person through the RPI tool, the SVPS Centre will be notified. If no one else identifies them, the information is not shared with the University.
REES is just one of the support tools available to U of T community members. If you are interested in setting-up a virtual or in-person appointment with the SVPS Centre, you can email the team at svpscentre.utoronto.ca, or call 416-978-2266. Visit Contact for more information.
Please note: Sharing information with the SVPS Centre through REES is considered a disclosure under the University of Toronto’s Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment. It is not considered a formal report or complaint.
If you would like to learn more about reporting or start a formal reporting process with the University, you can either book an appointment with the SVPS Centre directly or use the “Connect to the SVPS Centre” feature in REES.
You can also use the form below to provide anonymous feedback about your experience with REES.
About REES
REES is a trauma-informed and fully encrypted documentation platform where users can navigate supports at their own pace and make choices about how information is shared more broadly. Users may choose to record as little or as much as they would like.
Users can share information anonymously, communicate with the SVPS Centre through REES’s anonymous messaging centre, and/or identify themselves and be connected with the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre to learn more about support and reporting options.
This pilot project for students reflects the SVPS Centre’s commitment to creating a campus where all members of the University community can study, work, and live free from sexual violence.
Interested in learning more about REES? Check-out this F.A.Q.