Break the silence, end the violence: students launch campus toolkit to fight sexual violence

TORONTO, April 9, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario is launching tools today that will assist students' unions and campus organizations in addressing sexual violence at Ontario's colleges and universities.

"Young women continue to face disproportionate levels of sexual and gender-based violence on our campuses and in our communities," said Sarah Jayne King, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "College and universities must take a holistic approach to address violence against women to ensure campuses are safe spaces for all students."

According to Statistics Canada, women aged 15 to 24 experience the highest rates of sexual violence in Canada. Another study found four out of five female undergraduate students have experienced violence in a dating relationship.

The Campus Toolkit for Combatting Sexual Violence includes a database of local sexual assault resources, a fact sheet on sexual violence, a campus safety checklist, a template for campus sexual assault policies, ideas about how to respond if university or college administrators are unwilling to address sexual violence on campus and a list of possible events and activities to organize on campus to raise awareness about sexual violence and consent.

"Preventing and addressing sexual violence on campus must be a priority for Ontario colleges and universities," said Noor Baig, Women's Commissioner for the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "These tools will help students' unions and other campus stakeholders take concrete action to ensure students have access to safe and supportive learning environments."

The toolkit will be launched at two events today at 12:30 at the University of Ottawa and the University of Toronto. The Ottawa event will be held in the Agora in the Student Centre at the University of Ottawa. The Toronto event will be held in the South Sitting Room in Hart House at the University of Toronto.

The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario is the largest student organization in Ontario, uniting more than 300,000 college, undergraduate and graduate students in all regions of the province.

SOURCE: Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario

Toronto: Caitlin Smith, Campaigns Coordinator: 647-637-5317 (cell)

Ottawa: Sarah Jayne King, Chairperson (bilingual): 647-339-4070 (cell)