Students Release Recommendations to Combat Sexual Violence on Campus

TORONTO, March 3, 2015 /CNW/ - This Friday, the Premier will announce a multi-sector Sexual Assault Action plan, including changes that could be handed down to colleges and universities. After years of working on this issue, students have developed recommendations to government to address sexual violence on campus.

"1 in 5 women in North America will be sexually assaulted at college or university," said Anna Goldfinch, Ontario representative for the Canadian Federation of Students. "It is unacceptable that our campuses are unsafe and so little has been done until now, but we are hopeful that collectively we can shift from rape culture to consent culture."

Students have been working with the Premier of Ontario, the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities and the Ontario Women's Directorate to address sexual violence on campus and in the province. Students have also worked with both Colleges Ontario and the Council of Ontario Universities to develop institutional policies and procedures to prevent and address sexual violence.   

Students' recommendations include: 

• Policies designed by students and stakeholders so that if a student does experience sexual assault, they know what options they have.
• Mechanisms to hold colleges and universities accountable to these policies.
• Funding available to ensure we have strong support systems and education programs in place on our campuses.

"Students have been combatting sexual violence on campus for over thirty years," said Goldfinch. "We know what steps need to be taken to combat sexual violence on our campuses. We are looking forward to our recommendations being part of the Premier's announcement on Friday, but also to continue this discussion with our institutions and Government once the plan is in place."

The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario is the largest and oldest student organization in Ontario, representing more than 350,000 college and university students in all regions of the province.

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario

Anna Goldfinch, National Executive Representative: 647-339-4070 or [email protected]