By Maddie Savage
This fall, a Sexual Violence Prevention Fee of $18 was added to the university’s mandatory student fees list.
The description of this fee is “To support the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office in creating campus initiatives on preventing sexual violence.”
According to a statement from the University on behalf of the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office (EDHRO), “The majority of the funds collected from this fee will be used to support various campus initiatives on preventing sexual violence as well as to fund a new role within the EDHRO – the Intake Support and Community Outreach position, which was filled a few months ago.”
With new changes in student fees, as per the Student Choice Initiative, many fees and services have become opt-in, however this fee is included within the mandatory student fees.
According to the Tuition Fee Framework and Ancillary Fee Guidelines implemented by Ontario’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, “Fees that support programs and services that promote on campus safety, including the prevention of sexual violence, are an allowable compulsory ancillary fee.”
Sexual violence services offered by the EDHRO include managing complaints and consultations that fall under the office’s Policy on the Response and Prevention of Sexual Violence, as well as training sessions for staff, faculty and students.
According to the EDHRO’s 2017-2018 annual report, there were a total of 20 cases reported that were dealt with under the Policy on Response and Prevention of Sexual Violence, including 11 complaints, 6 consultations, and 3 enquiries. The report for 2018-2019 has not yet been released.
The breakdown for case contacts shows that these cases were brought forward by 4 employees of the university and 14 students. According to the report, “A respondent is an individual who has had a written complaint made against them, or brought forward to the EDHRO through a consultation and/or enquiry.”
However, the report notes “In many cases, the case contact is simply looking for general policy guidance [and/or] information and in such cases, there is no respondent information.”
The statement said that all first year residence students and some first year classes have received orientation presentations with staff from the office which provided students with information about the office’s mandate. A Sexual Violence Resource card is given out during the orientation presentations, student services fair, Upstander training sessions, and in each SGA Swag bag. The resource card contains information about what to do in the case of sexual violence and resources on-campus and off-campus.
According to the statement, “Education and training is an important part of prevention.
“We provide a variety of training to all members of the Laurentian community. And though the training isn’t mandatory, it has been very well received by all campus groups,” the statement said. These groups include residence assistants, as well as student athletes.
“This year we are aiming to expand the existing training sessions,” the statement said.
“For example, increasing the number of sessions for Upstander Training is going to be a focus. We are also introducing our campus to the “White Ribbon Campaign”. This campaign will see men wearing white ribbons as a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.”
There will be several upstander training programs being offered in October for graduate students and athletes. Training is also available through e-learning modules found on their webpage Prevention and Response to Sexual Violence.
“The EDHRO is a resource for all members of the Laurentian University community, including students, staff and faculty. We assist with matters of discrimination, harassment, bullying, sexual harassment, sexual violence and accessibility.”
Students can learn more about the university’s policies on sexual violence by contacting the EDHRO via email at edhr@laurentian.ca or by visting the website https://laurentian.ca/policies-accountability/sexual-violence.