Belleville, Ontario, March 31, 2015 – Loyalist College has finalized its stand-alone policy and protocol on sexual assault and sexual violence and it is now publicly available on the college’s website.
“It’s essential that everyone knows their rights and responsibilities and that campus safety continues to be a priority,” said Loyalist College President and CEO Maureen Piercy. “Our new policy is designed to enhance campus safety through increased awareness and prevention of sexual assaults and sexual violence, and to 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 publicly released 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 be done to ensure the initiatives at each college fulfil the expectations and requirements of the premier’s action plan.
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 who has helped us finalize our new policy and protocol,” said President Piercy. “It’s essential that we continue working together to raise awareness about sexual violence and the role we can all play in preventing it.”
-30-
For more information:
Loyalist College Media Contact: Dianne Spencer, Executive Director,
College Advancement & External Relations; 613-969-1913 ext. 2235; dspencer@loyalistc.on.ca