Concordia University‘s sexual misconduct and violence task force has revealed its findings, arguing there must be an “acknowledgment of the phenomenon of North American rape culture across university campuses.”
“Given the university’s commitment to addressing sexual misconduct and sexual violence, it is important for us to be self-reflective, and open to change,” the report states.
The task force was created after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual violence at the Montreal university, most notably in the creative writing program.
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One former student who spoke to Global News recalls being coached by one of the accused teachers during her undergraduate years, often seeing him at an “unnamed Saint-Laurent bar” that everyone would go to.
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“There was definitely this pretense of ‘I heard you’re a great writer. I want to talk to you about your work,” Julie McIsaac told Global News in January.
“And then at the end of the night, it’s, ‘You’re beautiful, can I walk you home?’ Trying to kiss me. It’s a straight line from your work’s great, let’s sleep together.”
The task force said it hopes to work towards “a larger cultural shift… to ensure that the community knows how to support victim survivors,” while making sure victims have access to resources, “and above all to bring about the safest and most flourishing environment possible.”
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The group met 14 times between March and June to discuss their recommendations, which fall into five categories:
Policies and Procedures
The force found that many members of the university had no knowledge or familiarity with the school’s policies, including what resources are available or what steps potential victims should take in order to file a complaint.
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One of its recommendations includes having the school’s policies and procedures reviewed every two years.
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It also encourages stronger language to be included in the policies “discouraging relationships between employees and students,” and that third-party investigators be in charge of looking into sexual violence and misconduct.
Training and Education
“The goal is to have a community that is educated about consent and respect,” the force writes in its document.
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Among its recommendations, it requests that student groups co-ordinate with the university to “reshape the climate and culture of Concordia.”
Support and Services
The report notes that a review of resources in cases of sexual misconduct and violence be conducted at Concordia’s Loyola campus.
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It recommends that “sensitivity training on the spectrum of sexual misconduct and sexual violence-related complaints be offered for individuals who typically receive disclosures.”
Communications
The force notes “there is a widespread lack of awareness and knowledge throughout the university community regarding existing policies and procedures.”
“Especially about outcomes that can realistically be expected given the legal limitations and the regulations that govern privacy and access to information.”
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It asks that a sexual violence information section is created on the university’s website, as well as a mandatory text on course syllabuses about the university’s stance on sexual misconduct and violence.
Standing Committee on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence
This committee would be tasked with revising and implementing the university’s policy on sexual violence.
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It will “develop mechanisms outlining how and when members of the community can raise concerns about the campus environment related to sexual misconduct and sexual violence” and also “review best practices at other North American universities when implementing any changes to our policies and processes.”
To read the full report:
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