Cambrian releases sexual assault policy

“It’s essential that everyone knows their rights and responsibilities, and that campus safety continues to be a priority,” said Cambrian president Bill Best, in a press release.

“Our new policy will help prevent sexual assaults and sexual violence and ensure effective support is available to survivors.”

College presidents voted unanimously in November to create a stand-alone policy and protocol that would be available at all colleges by March 31.

A draft version was made public in January, and there have been consultations throughout the province to finalize the document.

Building on existing policies and practices at the colleges, the stand-alone policy and protocol provides precise definitions of sexual assault and sexual violence, sets clear standards for reporting and responding to incidents of sexual violence, and establishes clear processes for complaints and investigations.

The policy also includes measures to ensure that people who make complaints are protected from reprisals, retaliation or threats. As well, it includes provisions to ensure that confidentiality is strictly observed.

Individual colleges and Colleges Ontario (the advocacy organization for the province’s 24 colleges) have consulted with students and student leaders throughout Ontario.

There have also been consultations with legal experts, the Ontario Women’s Directorate, OPSEU, government officials and others.

The policy and protocol for each college is based on a provincial template. Each individual policy may be amended to fit local circumstances, based on the feedback from students and others in each college community.

The colleges’ policy and protocol supports the action plan on sexual violence announced by Premier Kathleen Wynne on March 6.

Work will continue to ensure the initiatives at each college fulfil the expectations and requirements of the premier’s action plan, the press release said.

Ontario’s colleges are currently working on next steps, including new education and training at the colleges and the development of new awareness and prevention initiatives.

“We are grateful to our students and to everyone that has helped us finalize our new policy and protocol,” said Best. “It’s essential that we continue working together to raise awareness about sexual violence and the role we can all play in preventing it.”