For the 2019-2020 school year, the University of Ottawa is home to roughly 42,000 students. Not only is it important that each one receives the best academic experience possible, but it is critical that every individual who spends time on this campus feels respected, supported and safe.
In early 2018, more than 160,000 students from across the province participated in the Student Voices on Sexual Violence Survey conducted by CCI Research on behalf of the Government of Ontario. The reports released this week from that survey provide further insights into how sexual violence manifests on campuses today, and just how prevalent it is.
“These reports help establish an important baseline measurement for the student experience in this province and at uOttawa in 2018,” says Noël Badiou, Director of the University of Ottawa Human Rights Office. “They reinforce the importance of our work in the prevention of sexual violence and the need to continue existing initiatives and pursue new ones to help keep our students safe.”
Badiou chairs the University of Ottawa’s Standing Committee on the Prevention of Sexual Violence—a collective of staff, faculty, students and community members who meet regularly to ensure the University is constantly moving the needle forward on sexual violence prevention initiatives. In 2017, a Sexual Violence Prevention Officer was hired to help support the committee’s mandate. This position was made permanent in 2019.
The initiatives and programs undertaken at uOttawa since 2018 are enumerated in the Human Rights Office Annual Reports. The following is a selection of sexual prevention initiatives undertaken:
- Sexual violence prevention mobile teams: Teams of student volunteers work to prevent sexual violence on campus through awareness and education at various campus events.
- “Did you ask?” campaign: An initiative that encourages students to bring up the issue of consent before engaging in sexual activity. Stickers were created and placed on bags containing condoms. The stickers read: “Did you ask? Consent is never negotiable.”
- Six weeks of the prevention of violence against women: A series of events and initiatives to empower and educate the uOttawa community about sexual violence, consent and allyship, which takes place at the beginning of the school year.
- Support of the Moose Hide Campaign: In collaboration with uOttawa’s Indigenous Resource Centre and the Moose Hide Campaign, the University added its voice to the call to stop violence against women and children.
- Raising awareness of sexual violence at the Panda Games: At one of the University’s largest events of the year, written materials were put in stadium bathrooms to raise awareness of sexual violence. The Sexual violence prevention mobile team worked at the event to help share information and resources.
Over the coming weeks, the Standing Committee on the Prevention of Sexual Violence will review the information from the survey reports released by the Government of Ontario to evaluate how the initiatives and programs that have been put in place since 2018 have helped prevent sexual violence on campus and what additional initiatives and programs should be considered going forward.
“It is disconcerting to know that sexual violence continues to impact many of our university community members and society at large,” says Badiou. “But I believe that the University is fully committed to continue supporting efforts in prevention and addressing sexual violence when it does occur. I know that our efforts are having a positive impact in terms of awareness and we have a team who believes as much as I do that everyone deserves a respectful, supportive and safe learning, working and living environment.”
If you have experienced sexual violence, know that you are not responsible, and you are not alone. If you have experienced or witnessed any form of sexual violence or harassment, support is available on campus and off-campus, including:
In case of an emergency
Protection Services (24/7): 613-562-5411 (or ext. 5411 on campus)
Emergency services: 911
On-campus
Human Rights Office
1 Stewart, room 121
613-562-5222
respect@uottawa.ca
Monday to Friday 8:45 am to 4:00 pm
Protection Services
141 Louis-Pasteur
Emergency: 613-562-5411
Tel.: 613-562-5499
protection@uOttawa.ca (this e-mail address is not for emergencies)
Off-campus
Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre (English)
613-562-2334
CALACS francophone d’Ottawa (French)
613-789-8096
Employees
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP, 24/7): 1-844-880-9142