Dale Bass – Kamloops This Week
After a student wrote of being assaulted and finding the university’s response to her complaint inadequate, an interim protocol has been put in place and a task force is being created to work on four tasks:
• Develop a sexual-assault policy and review other policies and procedures that address sexual assault and/or sexual harassment;
• Enhance current sexual-assault prevention education programming;
• Develop clear reporting and response protocols; and
• Develop communication plans for the three tasks.
Eden, executive director of the Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre (KSACC), said she was encouraged to see the university move quickly after the woman’s story was reported on the Digital Times website at tinyurl.com/nvkakk5.
“It’s a good start,” Eden said.
“There’s a lot of work being done in Ontario that can be drawn from.”She said TRU consulted with KSACC as it drafted the protocol and she anticipates continuing to provide assistance as the university develops its education programming on the issue.
The protocol applies to all students and employees at TRU and is not restricted to incidents that happen only on campus.
It outlines steps victims should take and includes a guarantee of university support from the receipt of a report through academic accommodations for students and work accommodations for staff.
The document outlines two streams for reporting — non-criminal and criminal.
Eden said it was good to see the university being pro-active as it addresses the issue.
Christine Adam, dean of students at TRU, said the plan is to have a firm policy in place by next year, with the education component complete.
She said TRU will be consulting with other post-secondary institutions in Western Canada — and in B.C. in particular — to share some commonality and expertise to address the subject.
Adam said one component that will get particular cross-institution attention is developing the educational side, what she calls “the train the trainer part.”
Bystander education is a key area, Adam said, because sometimes it’s not easy for someone to intervene in uncomfortable situations.
Adam referenced presentations Mike Domitrz, executive director of the Date Safe Project, gave on campus last year in which he talked about how to do just that.
Privacy laws precluded Adam from discussing the student’s story, but she said she wasn’t surprised the issue of sexual assault on campus had been raised.
“It’s one of the most under-reported crimes there is,” Adam said.
Many sectors of the university community will be represented on the task force, with the potential for people with particular expertise in areas it touches upon — social work, nursing and justice, for example — being brought in to provide particular guidance.
Adam also foresees a booklet being developed to be distributed annually throughout campus and to new students and staff.