UNBC has enacted a new sexual violence and misconduct policy it hopes will provide a healthier and safer environment for both students and staff.
Accompanying the policy, are a set of procedures to help ensure the UNBC community enjoys a healthier and safer environment in which to study and learn
"This is a milestone moment for us. It clarifies our commitment to safe policy and procedures. But will take time to refine and improve," according to Barb Daigle, UNBC associate vice president, people, organizational Design and risk.
"Its all about increased education and awareness for student safety."
UNBC and other post-secondary institutions in B.C., including CNC, were ordered to draft new policy by the provincial government.
UNBC's prior policy had come under criticism, leading to the formation of a task force to address concerns. The task force brought forth 13 recommendations in a report but UNBC would not reveal the details of that report. The Citizen obtained the report through a Freedom of Information request last year.
The report revealed barriers to reporting sexual violence, a lack of available data and gaps in the existing policy.
What was specifically missing from the report were statistics from UNBC regarding the frequency of sexual violence at the school.
"I have no idea of numbers," said Erik Searle, president of the UNBC Northern Undergraduate Student Society who remains confident about the new policy.
"I think students can be confident that they will be treated fairly with this report," Searle said.
One of the original recommendations asked that UNBC investigate software that can allow for multiple units to notify a single office when a report of a disclosure has been received, and to track the stages of support and investigations.
The policy provides definitions, outlines UNBC commitments (with response training and education provisions) and deals with issues including jurisdiction and safety.
The procedures outline more specific details regarding reports, confidentiality, process choices, disclosures and privacy restrictions.
"This is a project that will go on. It will be an ongoing activity and it will need revisions," Daigle said.
"And every case is different."
Daigle says that responders from various departments including campus security and health and wellness have received recommended training but that there is still more to come.
"This will solidify a team approach and further training will continue. We want students at UNBC to feel safe and confident in their environment," Daigle said.
The policy states that UNBC will strive to make a report of sexual violence or misconduct as safe and as comfortable as possible no matter how difficult.
The university aims to foster an environment in which no one feels uncomfortable or unsafe about making a report.
"This policy is designed to protect the students. So all humans involved will have to evaluate each case with care. And I know that the response team and counselors do provide excellent care for the students," said Trina Johnson, president of UNBC's Graduate Students Society at UNBC.
"It's the human factor that is most important for this to work."
