Fanshawe to implement a sexual assault policy and protocol
Ontario’s colleges, including
Fanshawe College, have created a
draft of a sexual assault and violence
policy and protocol that is to
be implemented by March 31.
The presidents of Ontario’s 24 colleges endorsed a uniform framework at a meeting on January 26 in Toronto for the new policy and protocol. It intends to give students and staff a right to work and study in an environment free of sexual violence.
“Our campuses must be safe and welcoming and we must ensure immediate and effective help is available to victims of sexual assault,” said President and CEO of Colleges Ontario Linda Franklin in a news release.
The colleges are now finalizing the policy and protocol, consulting with government officials, student leaders, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and others.
Fanshawe Vice-President of Student Services Cathie Auger says Fanshawe will be developing its own sexual assault policy and protocol based on the Ontario Colleges’ policy and protocol framework.
In implementing the policy, colleges commit to assisting victims of sexual assault, ensuring internal investigations are available and ensuring that victims are believed and are the final decision-makers. They also commit to teach students and staff about sexual assault and violence as well as how to respond to disclosures of sexual assault.
The draft policy states that privacy and confidentiality of victims of sexual assault and violence should be “strictly observed.” It also includes definitions, such as what constitutes sexual assault, consent and stalking; information on filing complaints; and what to do if you’ve witnessed a sexual assault or are a victim of sexual assault.
Franklin says information about sexual assault and violence will be easily accessible and actively promoted.
The colleges are also putting pressure on the provincial government to make changes to better support victims, such as offering a 24-hour emergency hotline and allowing more colleges and police to share more information with each other.
“The FSU is involved and will be involved,” said Paul Massé, the business manager for the Fanshawe Student Union. “Although it’s a college policy, it will be a policy that the FSU will support operationally.”
The presidents of Ontario’s colleges voted unanimously in favour of a province-wide sexual assault and violence policy in November of last year at the Colleges Ontario conference.
The decision came after the Toronto Star found in an investigation last year that none of Ontario’s colleges had special policies regarding sexual violence. Only nine of Canada’s 78 universities had sexual assault policies, the Star reported, including Western University.
Victims who were sexually assaulted on campus are advised to contact Campus Security Services at 519-452-4400.
Students interested in reading the draft policy and protocol can do so at tinyurl.com/o5od7nm. They can voice their opinion by contacting Fanshawe Student Union president Matt Stewart at 519-452-4430 ext. 6314 or at fsupres@fanshawec.ca.
“Protecting everyone on our campuses is a priority for every college in the province,” Franklin said. “This is an ongoing process to promote awareness, education and clear policies that reinforce that safety is a paramount priority in Ontario’s colleges.”
The presidents of Ontario’s 24 colleges endorsed a uniform framework at a meeting on January 26 in Toronto for the new policy and protocol. It intends to give students and staff a right to work and study in an environment free of sexual violence.
“Our campuses must be safe and welcoming and we must ensure immediate and effective help is available to victims of sexual assault,” said President and CEO of Colleges Ontario Linda Franklin in a news release.
The colleges are now finalizing the policy and protocol, consulting with government officials, student leaders, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and others.
Fanshawe Vice-President of Student Services Cathie Auger says Fanshawe will be developing its own sexual assault policy and protocol based on the Ontario Colleges’ policy and protocol framework.
In implementing the policy, colleges commit to assisting victims of sexual assault, ensuring internal investigations are available and ensuring that victims are believed and are the final decision-makers. They also commit to teach students and staff about sexual assault and violence as well as how to respond to disclosures of sexual assault.
The draft policy states that privacy and confidentiality of victims of sexual assault and violence should be “strictly observed.” It also includes definitions, such as what constitutes sexual assault, consent and stalking; information on filing complaints; and what to do if you’ve witnessed a sexual assault or are a victim of sexual assault.
Franklin says information about sexual assault and violence will be easily accessible and actively promoted.
The colleges are also putting pressure on the provincial government to make changes to better support victims, such as offering a 24-hour emergency hotline and allowing more colleges and police to share more information with each other.
“The FSU is involved and will be involved,” said Paul Massé, the business manager for the Fanshawe Student Union. “Although it’s a college policy, it will be a policy that the FSU will support operationally.”
The presidents of Ontario’s colleges voted unanimously in favour of a province-wide sexual assault and violence policy in November of last year at the Colleges Ontario conference.
The decision came after the Toronto Star found in an investigation last year that none of Ontario’s colleges had special policies regarding sexual violence. Only nine of Canada’s 78 universities had sexual assault policies, the Star reported, including Western University.
Victims who were sexually assaulted on campus are advised to contact Campus Security Services at 519-452-4400.
Students interested in reading the draft policy and protocol can do so at tinyurl.com/o5od7nm. They can voice their opinion by contacting Fanshawe Student Union president Matt Stewart at 519-452-4430 ext. 6314 or at fsupres@fanshawec.ca.
“Protecting everyone on our campuses is a priority for every college in the province,” Franklin said. “This is an ongoing process to promote awareness, education and clear policies that reinforce that safety is a paramount priority in Ontario’s colleges.”
