OTTAWA, March 19, 2015 /CNW/ - The pervasive issue of rape culture on campus is bringing students from across Canada to Ottawa on March 19 and 20 to develop a strategy to end sexual violence at colleges and universities.
"It is students, united through the Canadian Federation of Students, who have been at the forefront of the fight to end sexual violence on campuses for the past 20 years," said Jessica McCormick, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "The Consent Culture Forum will provide students with the space to continue leading the charge in the fight to end sexual violence and rape culture on campus."
Today, one in five women studying at North American post-secondary institutions is sexually assaulted and someone known to the victim commits more than 80% of rapes that occur on campuses. Consent Culture: A National Forum to End Sexual Violence on Campus will bring together students and accomplished activists from across Canada who are working to challenge rape culture, misogyny, and gendered violence.
"Decades of inaction by post-secondary administrators has perpetuated rape culture on campuses across the country," said McCormick. "While some progress has been made, there is still much work left to be done to ensure campuses are safe spaces for everyone."
The Canadian Federation of Students has provided nationwide spaces for organising against rape culture and sexual violence through the National Women's Constituency, the No Means No campaign and campaigns to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women for more than 20 years.
The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more than one-half million students across the country. The Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.
SOURCE Canadian Federation of Students
Sarah McCue, (613) 797-6626, [email protected]
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