Results of Ontario sexual violence survey

The Government of Ontario commissioned the Student Voices on Sexual Violence survey in early 2018 as part of a larger action plan to address sexual violence in workplaces and on campuses. The current government released summary results of this survey today, March 19, 2019. Thank you to the many Wilfrid Laurier University students who were among the 160,000 Ontario postsecondary student survey participants who shared their experiences of sexual violence and how postsecondary institutions address the issue.

Laurier welcomes the release of the summary Student Voices survey data and we were encouraged by today’s provincial announcement. Merrilee Fullerton, minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, acknowledged that a lot of good work has already been done in the postsecondary sector regarding support and prevention of sexual violence, but that the summary survey data indicates there is more work to be done. Laurier agrees. We are proud of the research, supports, educational programming and policies that our university has put into place in recent years and we welcome the new provincial summary data, which will augment our own research data to help ensure that Laurier’s policies, procedures, awareness initiatives, and supports remain as effective as possible.

The provincial government announced four action items today which align with existing Laurier initiatives and approaches:

• The province plans to require every publicly-assisted college and university to report annually to its Board of Governors on a number of measures related to the experiences of and support for students who have experienced sexual violence. Laurier reports annually to the Board of Governors on activities, initiatives, services and supports provided to individuals seeking assistance with regard to sexual and gender-based violence. We welcome the continued involvement of our Board of Governors and the institutional autonomy reflected in this directive.
• The province plans to double the government's 2018/19 investment in the Women's Campus Safety Grant, to $6 million from $3 million, to assist colleges and universities in supporting the prevention of sexual violence. Laurier welcomes the increased government support.
• The province will require every publicly-assisted college and university in Ontario to have a task force devoted to tackling sexual violence on campus. Laurier created a Gendered Violence Task Force in 2015 made up of staff, faculty, and students from across Laurier in Kitchener, Waterloo and Brantford. We look forward to carrying on the work of the original task force.
• The province will require every publicly-assisted college and university in Ontario to review their sexual violence policies by September 2019. Laurier approved a strong Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures in November 2016 and we proactively updated it in fall 2018 as part of Laurier’s ongoing commitment to improve and strengthen our policies and processes.

Laurier is committed to doing all we can to support survivors on our campuses and to provide education and awareness initiatives that change attitudes and reduce the prevalence of gendered and sexual violence. Laurier has collaborated with our students and faculty research experts to address issues of gendered and sexual violence and to work continuously to create and maintain a safe learning and work environment. Some examples include:

• Laurier approved and implemented a strong Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures in November 2016, which was updated in 2018 to strengthen our policies and processes.
• Laurier created the staff position of sexual violence response coordinator in 2016 to provide support and advocacy to survivors of gendered and sexual violence. The university also has close working partnerships with community sexual assault centres in Waterloo Region and Brant County to make counselling and educational programming available on our campuses.
• Ongoing education, training and awareness programming is offered during Orientation Week and throughout the year. More than 7,500 members of the Laurier community took some form of awareness or support training related to gendered and sexual violence between September 2018 and March 2019.
• Laurier researchers conduct ongoing studies and assessment into the Laurier context, including the Change Project work conducted by Laurier’s Social Innovation Research Group and the Educational Advisory Board survey of Laurier students conducted in 2016.

Sexual and Gendered Violence Support

The university recognizes that students may require additional support as the release of the survey results will lead to gendered and sexual violence stories in the media. Support is available to all members of the Laurier community who have been impacted by gendered or sexual violence, regardless of when or where the violence took place:

• Laurier’s sexual violence response coordinator, Sarah Scanlon, can help members of the Laurier community understand what support and reporting options are available to them on and off campus. She can be reached at 519.884.0710 x4847 or at sscalon@wlu.ca.
• 24 hour phone support is available at:
  • 741.8633 through the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.
  • 751.3471 through the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant 24-hour crisis and support line.
• Confidential sexual violence counselling services are available to students on the Waterloo campus through a partnership between Laurier and the Sexual Assault Support Centre. Call 519.571.0121 or email intake@sascwr.org to make an appointment.
• For on-campus Sexual Assault Centre Counselling and Advocacy in Brantford: contact the sexual violence counsellor and advocate Hayley Moody at hayley@sacbrant.ca or 519.751.1164 x209.
• Additional counselling services are available for students through the Wellness Centre (Waterloo: 519.884.0710 x3146 and Brantford: 519.576.8228 x5803).
• Reports of sexual violence can be made to Special Constable Services by contacting 519.885.3333 in Waterloo or 519.770.3778 in Brantford, or from an internal phone at x3333.

More information about how Laurier is working to address gendered and sexual violence.