What is your post-secondary school — or that of your child's — doing to combat rape culture on its campus?
If that school is in B.C., you should be able to find out with a few clicks of a mouse.
Since the launch of the #MeToo movement picked up steam in 2017, with public figures calling out their sexual abusers, the issue has perforated almost all levels of our society, including university and college campuses.
The focus is warranted.
According to the 2014 General Social Survey (GSS), by the Canadian Research Data Centre Network, 41% of all incidents of sexual assault were reported by students. The provincial government has re-launched its social media campaign this week, to remind young people — and the wider community — that "sex without consent is rape and that consent must be voluntary, otherwise, it is assault," reads a government news release sent out Sunday to coincide with back to school at many colleges and universities on Monday.
“Our government is responding to a call to action from students to ensure that our campuses are safer for everyone, regardless of gender expression, identity or sexual orientation,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, in the release. “Any form of sexual violence or misconduct will not be tolerated."
The provincial government requires that all 25 of B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions have sexual violence and misconduct policies. The Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy Act states that these policies be publicly available.
Provincial regulations also require private institutions with student residences to have policies in place.
Squamish's Quest University Canada, which is a private school with dorms, implemented a sexual misconduct policy and associated procedures in 2017.
"All forms of sexual misconduct have the potential to jeopardize the mental, physical and emotional welfare of members of our community," said Krista Lambie, Quest's dean of student life in an email to The Chief.
"The collective aim of the University's policy, procedures, and ongoing sexual misconduct response and education efforts is to provide members of our community with a respectful and supportive environment in which to live, learn, and work."
She added that other resources are available to Quest students, staff, and faculty through an online portal.
"Quest has been an active participant in local and province wide conversations, trainings, and initiatives related to this important topic. We continue to hone and refine our practices in collaboration with our Quest community members and our regional and provincial colleagues,' Lambie said.
