Report on university campus sexual violence calls for culture change
A new 72 page report is calling on Nova Scotia’s 10 universities to set up additional programs to prevent sexual violence on campus, just weeks after high-profile sexual assault charges were laid at one school. The report entitled “Changing the Culture of Acceptance” investigates the root causes of sexual violence, claiming it is linked to issues such as gender inequality, confusion about consent, and a prevailing “rape culture” that still exists on campus. The report suggests that universities develop sexual violence prevention plans, consent education, training to respond to disclosures of sexual assault and bystander programs as well as mandated sexual violence policies.
What are your thoughts on sex and gender violence on college campuses? Do you think that universities can help resolve this problem by developing preventions plans and additional consent education? Why or why not?