Supporting Victims of Sexual Assault at Canadian University

Women have been active, contributing members of Canadian universities for more than a century. However, the past three years have seen a string of sexual assaults at high profile institutions reaffirming the tenuous position of women on campus and raising anew the call for action. 

Although the journey to making Canadian campuses safer is certainly uphill, a strategic study released last month by the University of Saskatchewan offers new hope for supporting victims and innovative prevention. 

Why university campuses?

There is no need for this article to revisit the events and debates that have brought sexual assault at university back into the public eye. A quick scan of headlines confirms the deeply concerning truth that sexual assaults at university are common. Rather than fixating on disturbing news stories, an essential step to transformative action involves asking why this is the case, what is being done and what can be done. 

In the Canadian context, these questions have been taken up by a research team from the University of Saskatchewan, under the direction of Elizabeth Quinlan from the department of sociology. Their recent study, published in the Canadian Journal of Higher Education, examines the prevention and support services that are addressing sexual assault at universities and colleges across Canada. 

Their study begins by highlighting several distinct features of the university that make sexual assault more likely. The population at post-secondary institutions is young, largely independent and continually changing. This often means less group cohesion or sense of community, factors that increase crime in general. 

And of course, the use of alcohol and drugs has long been part of the social scene at most universities – all of which increase the vulnerability of women.

More information: http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20161011120159953