The Search for Effective Sexual Violence Policies and Programming on Canadian Post-Secondary Campuses

A Student Perspective

Abstract

Sexual violence is one of the few crimes in Canada that has not shown a decrease in numbers to this date. While sexual violence has always been present, and frankly, is endemic on Canadian post-secondary campuses, recently the issue has been receiving closer attention from media. The plethora of information sources forces post-secondary institutions to face the difficult discussion of whether or not their institution should implement a post-secondary level policy on sexual violence, as well as educational programs for students, faculty, and staff. These discussions have led numerous colleges and universities to revisit their sexual violence policies and educational programming or lack thereof partially due to the detrimental health effects that victims of sexual violence face due to a lack of support service(s).The writer seeks to add a student’s voice to the national conversation with respect to sexual violence on Canadian post-secondary campuses. This study examines and analyzes the policy framework that contests the emergence of rape culture within the post-secondary educational landscape through various sociological perspectives. The author also discusses the importance of not only the implementation of effective post-secondary institutional policies and educational programming but also the importance of the campus discussion and campus advertising of the policies and services themselves. This study addresses what needs to be done in order to better guarantee student safety. With proper policies in place, students can ensure that their safety and overall well-being are priorities to the educational governing bodies.

Discipline: Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Korbla Puplampu