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The Ontario government is proposing changes to sexual violence policies at post-secondary schools across the province that could provide greater protection to students.
“It was promising to see that the Provincial government is proposing several changes to Ontario Regulation 131/16 based directly from Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) advocacy and recommendations,” Alexia Henriques, AMS vice-president (student affairs), told
The Journal.
The Ontario Regulation 131/16 was introduced January 2017 by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) to establish a common standard and minimum requirement for sexual violence policies at post-secondary institutions.
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Now, the MCU is proposing two new requirements be added to the regulation.
Students who report sexual violence can t be asked about sexual history, Ontario government says
Ontario is moving to bar colleges and universities from asking students who report sexual violence or harassment about their sexual history. The province is also proposing to prohibit institutions from punishing complainants for drinking or using drugs at the time of the alleged incident.
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The Canadian Press ·
Posted: Jan 28, 2021 8:05 AM ET | Last Updated: January 28
Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Ross Romano announced the proposed legislative changes on Wednesday.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
Ontario is moving to bar colleges and universities from asking students who report sexual violence or harassment about their sexual history.
TORONTO Ontario colleges and universities will no longer be allowed to ask sexual assault complainants irrelevant questions about their sexual history or discipline them for violating an institution’s drug and alcohol policy. “These amendments will help reduce potential re-traumatization and encourage more survivors to come forward,” Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues Jill Dunlop said in a news release issued by the Ontario government on Wednesday. Government officials are proposing these changes to sexual violence and harassment policies at post-secondary intuitions based on recommendations from the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA). These proposed changes, the government said, are meant to increase campus safety and reduce fear and stigma for students who are coming forward with an allegation of sexual violence or harassment.