Several shocking sexual-assault cases have happened in the past year, some of them involving university and college students. These cases not only triggered the need for a sexual assault policy within post-secondary schools, it also made people rethink the details of how respond to cases of sexual assault.

On Nov. 24, Ontario’s public college presidents put their heads together for agreeing to create an up-to-date and suitable sexual assault policy for the use of Ontario colleges.

At the end of January, a 12-page, lengthy framework for the Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Policy and Protocol was developed by a task force that included senior college leaders, a student representative and legal experts.

It was completed and endorsed by all 24 Ontario college presidents and the framework was sent out to every college for consultations.

Allowing each institution to customize their own sexual assault and sexual violence policy and protocol, the finalized policy “will be publicly promoted at all colleges by March 31,” according to Colleges Ontario, the advocacy and outreach association of Ontario’s 24 public colleges.

During the consultation period, Colleges Ontario was talking with student leaders, government officials, the Ontario Women’s Directorate, Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and others on the policy and protocol.

At the college level they were collecting opinions from different areas and working on tailoring their own policy.George Brown College (GBC) president Anne Sado takes this seriously saying, “I am deeply committed to ensuring that we have a safe, supportive and respectful environment for our students and staff. I have encouraged members of our community to participate in staff and student consultations over the coming weeks in order to provide feedback on the new college provincial policy.”

Sado appointed Karen Thomson, vice-president of marketing and strategic enrolment management for GBC, to form a committee.“The diversity, equity and human rights office, the public safety and security office, the student services and campus life office, the student affairs and counselling department,” said Thomson. “Across the college there are these offices that are used to dealing with these kinds of things, and they will be on the committee.”

Thomson also mentioned, that although it is a bit premature to give details about their work on the policy as they have just formed the committee.

“Since we are launching the residence in just over a year, this system-wise thing started before we really kick started our own process,” said Thomson. “It’s been good in a way, for us, because we are able to use the contacts of the province as we go through a consultation with the students and staff.”

It is too early to know what GBC will do regarding this protocol, however, this draft framework is accessible to the public right now. Students will also have the chance to share their opinions on the policy, and it is strongly suggested that every GBC student take part in giving their feedback to college.

More information on the policy framework can be found at collegesontario.org.