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This research study presents a comprehensive analysis of sexual assault policies in Canadian post-secondary institutions, including statistical data and survey results. It highlights areas of concern, confusion, and reflection, and provides recommendations for improvement.
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Sexual Assault Policies in Post-Secondary Institutions in Canada Sharon Crabb, CFUW Fredericton; email sharonacrabb@gmail.com Member of the CFUW Status of Women and Human Rights Sub-Committee of the CFUW Advocacy Committee CFUW Conference and AGM—June 2017
CFUW Status of Women and Human Rights Sub-Committee of the CFUW Advocacy Committee Pam Love, CFUW Fredericton, Chair Thelma McGillivray, CFUW Burlington Anne Cordon, CFUW Peterborough Judy Pagano, CFUW Edmonton Sharon Crabb, CFUW Fredericton
Questionnaire Statistics—National Results + 200 post-secondary (public) institutions in Canada + 155 questionnaires completed = 70.5% +109 indicated “yes” to having a sexual violence/harassment policy = 70.3% +42 indicated “no” to having a sexual violence harassment policy = 27.1% + 4 indicated “unclear” to having a sexual violence/harassment policy = 2.6%
Top 5 Questions Responding “Yes” (excluding Question 1 re Policy • Question 3—Does the policy include a comprehensive definition of sexual violence and harassment? (103 “yes” responses = 66.5% • Question 4—Has the policy been implemented within the past 5 years? (88 “yes) responses = 56.8%
Top 5 Questions continued: • Question 7—Does the policy implementation involve such groups as Administration on campus, Faculty, Students, Human Resources Professionals, Victims? (97 “yes” responses = 62.3% • Question 8—Does the policy stipulate confidentiality in complaint reporting and follow-up process? (102 “yes” responses = 65.8%
Top 5 Questions continued • Question 16—Does the policy state that the complainant has the right to representation, a support person or an advocate in mediations, hearings and/or investigations? (83 “yes” responses = 53.5%
Top 5 Questions Responding “No” • Question 6—Does the policy address conflict of interest for those tasked with following up on a report of sexual violence or harassment? (66 “no” responses = 42.6% • Question 17—Does the policy state that the lesser violations of school policy on the part of the complainant will be excused in a case of sexual violence or harassment? (97 “no” responses = 62.6%; 43 “NA” responses = 27.7%
Top “no” Questions continued • Question 18—Does the policy explicitly prevent irrelevant inquiries into the complainant’s sexual history? (96 “no” responses = 61.9%; 42 “NA” responses = 27.1%) • Question 20—Does the policy say a complainant has the right to appeal the decision of mediation, hearings and/or investigations? (58 “no” responses = 37.4%; 42 “NA” responses = 27.1%
Top “no” questions continued • Question 12—When sexual violence or harassment is reported, is mediation pursued automatically? OR (79 “no” responses = 51.0%, 18 “unclear” responses = 11.6%, 44 “NA” responses = 28.4%). Similar responses to Questions 13 and 14.
Areas of Concern/Confusion/ Reflection • Is the implementation of the policy as intended or as outlined in the policy? • Is it sufficiently explicit specific to procedures for the complainant? • There are mixed references to policy being easy to locate and known to students compared to not always “user friendly”. • Is there a concern about “legal due diligence”?
Areas of Concern . . . continued • Often mediation and appeals and how the complainant is informed of the results are not included in the policy. • There is minimal reference to involvement of students, faculty, counsellors in the policy. • Who administers the policy? What is the level of expertise of person(s) involved in administering the policy?
Areas of Concern . . . continued • What options are available to the complainant? • It is sometimes difficult to find relevant information.
Conclusion • Where do we go from here—what is next? • How might you be involved? Thank you to CFUW members across Canada who made this research possible.