Carleton Stakeholders Outline Requirements for Sexual Violence Policy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(OTTAWA, 24 May 2016) – In light of the recent breakdown in the drafting of Carleton University’s Sexual Violence Policy, designated stakeholders representing labour and student unions as well as sexual violence survivors are moving forward with the drafting process of our own accord.

“We are disappointed the University administration chose to walk away from the consultative process,” said Dawn Moore, the spokesperson on this issue for Carleton University Academic Staff Association, CUPE 2424, CUPE 4600, Carleton University Graduate Students’ Association and Carleton University Postdoctoral Association. “The administration has not indicated how it intends to move forward, so the campus community has decided to move forward on its own.”

Using feedback from consultations and a town hall they conducted on campus, the group of stakeholders are highlighting key elements to revise the University’s Sexual Violence Policy as well as ensure compliance with provincial legislation.

Content Requirements for the Sexual Violence Policy:

The Policy must apply to all members of the University community.
Acknowledgement that rape culture exists on university campuses.
Survivor-centrism will inform all aspects of the Sexual Violence Policy.
Survivors’ experiences will be affirmed throughout the Policy, and particularly at every point of contact a survivor has following an incident.
All members of the University community will undergo training with regards to sexual violence, appropriately tailored to their roles at the University.
No survivor will be punished for making a claim of sexual violence.
The University will implement an aggressive prevention strategy aimed at replacing rape culture with consent culture.
For those who elect to report an incident of sexual violence, the University will make widely and readily available reporting protocols and ensure a support person is available to guide the complainant through the process.
An oversight body to review support services and the adjudication of complaints.
The University will increase health, counselling and survivor support services to ensure sufficient resources are provided.
All training and services offered will be culturally appropriate and respectful of the principles of intersectionality.

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For more information, please contact:

Dr. Dawn Moore, Associate Professor, Law and Legal Studies, Carleton University & Chair, Equity

Carleton University Staff Association, [email protected], 819-923-2722

Lauren Montgomery, [email protected], 613-808-6697