Barely a dozen people participated in the initiative of Universite Laval

Two months after the attacks on homes, barely a dozen people participated Monday in the public consultation on sexual violence at Laval University. What is left of the mobilization of this autumn? Are the campus ready to change?

On the fifteen people who took part in the consultation Monday noon, mostly included representatives of student associations and interested researchers. What has happened? ” Right now, this is the exam for students. Some are already beginning to make their case to return to their corner and then there’s the storm ” , explained the vice-president Bernard Gervais.

This ensured that the event had been publicized enough. “We did everything” , he said after the meeting in a small room of the Desjardins building. He added that the meeting schedule (in the midst of exams) had been predetermined by the Ministry of Higher Education.

Thus, failing to mobilize the masses, the subject made its way into the political machine. ” The Minister [Helen David] request a final report on 6 January ” , he added. All this to prepare four “days of reflection” on the subject provided by March in Quebec City, Montreal, Gatineau and Saguenay. This should lead to a Law on prevention of sexual violence and helping victims by universities.

Steps up

The number of calls to the Prevention and Response Center for harassment (CPIMH) would also increase according to its director, Josée Laprade. ” There is more traffic, we see, the center is known ” , she has said. ” It’s not necessarily complaints. The majority of cases are process alerts that are more amicably. ”

Monday, no victim has to the microphone. The University it was nevertheless prepared and warned the journalists that the anonymity of witnesses should be protected.

Asked about that, Ms. Laprade did not astonished. ” For sure make a disclosure, […] it is not something that is necessarily desirable. Often, we see how it can be difficult for a victim to assume. ”

People had two further opportunities to express themselves by enrolling in focus groups or by answering the online questionnaire prepared by the Ministry. In Laval, about 600 people responded.

To the extent that the statistics show that four student will be assaulted while in school, one can assume that this view was expressed in the context of the online consultation. ” Through these students then it probably has students who have already experienced it. ”

In the questionnaire, including asked ” what are the best practices to implement in higher education institutions ” in prevention. We also wanted to know ” what are the most effective measures to ensure the safety of persons .”

On Monday, some participants still had much to say about the ways to help the victims who do not report in 90% of cases. ” We must weave a web across the campus. We must go to the students, do not expect them to come to us ” , claimed an employee of the affected university student services.

Another teacher told how he had to help a victim to the University. ” I was surprised that there is no formal mechanism at the complaint , has he said. Quickly, the victim became very secondary in the folder. ”

Two commissioners were empowered to collect feedback: Josée Laprade, the CPIMH, and the director of student services, Denis Bussières. Asked to respond to the comments of the teacher, Mrs. Laprade replied that once the complaint, the process was ” clear enough ” . At Laval University, victims or individuals who wish to make a report must all go through the center. The Vice-President Human Resources is then investigate and determine the sanctions. In cases of allegations against staff, sanctions or dismissals are defined by collective agreements.

The university says do much

The university officials also stressed that they were already very active in the fight against sexual violence before October. ” It makes discreet work , said vice-rector. The actors work well together, but it is sure that this work is not spectacular. ”

The university said in particular have done surveys of students on initiations.

Recall that academia has recently produced an extensive report on sexual violence through university cooperation Office (ICO). As luck would have it published on the eve of the attacks occurred at Laval University. On Monday, Vice-President and the commissioners pointed out that many courses of action were already in this report. Ms. Laprade has also developed a training program for students who wish “witnesses assets” that will detect cases of harassment and intervene. This approach began, too, before the assault residences.

” We show them to detect sexual violence. Where are the little innocuous gestures ? Where it starts ? Where it goes ? […] And after that, how can I intervene with a victim? […] How to be comfortable to intervene safely. ” A sixty student volunteers will receive training in January. The report recommended the BCI to give training to university staff, but it must be done in a second phase, we are told.