Today, Western University officially launched a revamped website devoted to sexual violence prevention and victim/survivor support.
The website, www.uwo.ca/sexualviolence, includes background on sexual violence and its effect on victims/survivors; information on how to report an incident of sexual violence; and on- and off-campus resources and support for victims/survivors and those who want to help them.
“All members of the Western community have the right to study, learn, work and research in an environment free of sexual violence,” says Janice Deakin, the University’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic). “Any and all acts of sexual violence will be addressed and individuals who have committed an act of sexual violence will be held accountable. Simply put, sexual violence is not tolerated at Western.”
Western has also taken the following steps to fulfill the University’s commitment Western to taking action to prevent sexual violence and to support victims/survivors:
• A sexual violence policy has been established, which is the foundation of Western’s commitment to providing and maintaining an environment in which sexual violence is not tolerated: www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/policies_procedures/section1/mapp152.pdf
• Procedures to respond to sexual violence to support members of our campus community, regardless of where an incident of sexual violence has occurred: www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/policies_procedures/section1/mapp152_procedure.pdf
• A Sexual Violence Prevention Education Committee has been formed, a working group of Western’s Safe Campus Advisory Partners committee. Currently, the committee is working on training initiatives, response protocols and an awareness campaign expected to launch this fall. The following areas have representation on the committee: Campus Community Police Services; Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children; Communications & Public Affairs; Equity and Human Rights Services; Housing & Ancillary Services; School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies; Student Development Centre; Student Health Services; Western International; as well as graduate and undergraduate students.
• Western’s Division of Housing & Ancillary Services has created a video, inspired by the White House’s ‘1 is 2 Many’ campaign. The video, called ‘See Something, Do Something’, features male leaders from across our campus speaking out against sexual violence: www.youtube.com/watch?v=epznxZp-Jcg
MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Marnoch, Communications & Public Affairs, 519-661-2111 ext. 85468, kmarnoch@uwo.ca
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