CREDIT: IPGGUTENBERGUKLTD / ISTOCK / THINKSTOCK
Former minister on the Status of Women criticized college and university campuses for falling behind when it came to sexual violence prevention and awareness, but Fanshawe has been leading the way with its campaigns and initiatives.

As was revealed by Metro through an Access to Information request, former minister on the Status of Women Kellie Leitch said that in general, Canadian colleges and universities were falling behind when it came to preventative and responsive measures surrounding sexual violence on their campuses.

The minister was critical on how post-secondary institutions do not have a uniform way of dealing with this issue, particularly when it comes to discussing bystander intervention.

The government believed that campuses were not taking appropriate measures to ensure their students safety; this shows that conversations surrounding Canadian colleges and universities and how they handle cases of sexual violence on campuses, but plans for future action were in the works.

But where does Fanshawe fall in all of this?

Leah Marshall, the sexual violence prevention advisor at Fanshawe, said the college is keeping up with the promises they made when they hired her only a few months ago.

Her position at the college is a first in the country.

Fanshawe aimed to hold at least two prevention campaigns every month while also focusing on student outreach.

“[We wanted] to let students know that this is a service that is available and that we are able to confidentially support students and connect them with campus or community resources,” Marshall said. “It was a really big first step, making this new group of students at the college aware that this even exists.”

She said she is proud of what Fanshawe has accomplished in the first semester and hopes to keep the momentum going in the second semester.

Students were able to take part in multiple awareness campaigns including Draw the Line and the ReDress Project.

Though Fanshawe is leading the way when it comes to sexual violence awareness and prevention on campuses, there is always room for more. Marshall said she recently took part in a course called Bringing in the Bystander along with residence leaders and campus security. She hopes to one day offer the course to Fanshawe students.

“Part of prevention is having everybody know that they play an active role in ending sexual violence,” Marshall said, with bystanders playing an important part.

One upcoming event will bring Laci Green, a YouTube feminist blogger and sexpert, to Fanshawe on Feb. 1.

Marshall said the fact that Fanshawe is taking action towards preventing sexual violence is a great step towards a culture free of such behaviours.

“We know that sexual violence is happening all over Canada, so in order to support students [Fanshawe] is stepping forward and operationalizing the policy,” Marshall said. “It's not just saying ‘we have a sexual violence policy', it's saying ‘we have a way to actually put this policy into action', and it's really important for students to feel proud that their college has something so progressive.”

For more information about future events at Fanshawe or for assistance regarding sexual violence please contact Leah Marshall at 519-452-4430 ext. 4465 or at lkmarshall@fanshawec.ca. The Counselling and Accessibility Office is in room F2010.