Campus Sexual Violence
SEXUAL VIOLENCE: Sexual violence is any sexual act, act of a sexual nature, or act targeting sexuality, physical or psychological, that is committed without consent.
Sexual violence is one of the most intractable problems of university education. Statistics Canada estimates that among post-secondary students, one out of 10 women and one out of 25 men experience sexual assault each year. At UAlberta, that would equate to 2,500 undergraduates and 600 graduate students per year.
CONSENT: Consent is a voluntary, ongoing, active and conscious agreement to engage in the sexual activity in question. It’s the first step in any physical intimacy, and it is a must from all participants.
Consent is a fundamental concept when discussing sexual violence. It is the voluntary, enthusiastic, and ongoing agreement between all parties involved in any sexual activity. It is essential to understand that consent must be freely given, informed, and can be withdrawn at any time.
Your UASU is committed to making our community and our campus safe for all. For the past number of years, we’ve been tirelessly advocating to foster a culture of consent, respect, and support on our campuses.
History of Our CSV Advocacy
This timeline highlights the recent advancements made by UASU in combating sexual violence, promoting survivor support, and influencing policy changes at the University of Alberta. We are dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive campus environment, continue to actively address sexual violence, and support survivors.
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2023
UASU develops an internal political policy regarding Sexual Violence.
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2022
November 2022 - Board of Governors approves a new Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policy, incorporating significant changes such as language shift, recognition of colonization's impact on sexual violence against Indigenous people, pathways for non-disciplinary resolution, plain language usage, and procedural fairness for complainants and respondents.
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2022
July 2022 - University of Alberta commits to publishing a private audit of its sexual violence prevention and response efforts in response to a formal request from UASU.
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2022
January 2022 - SVR Coordinator is hired and actively collaborates with UASU on addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) on campus.
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2021
UASU and GSA organize a General Faculties Council walkout, demanding action to prevent and meaningfully respond to sexual violence, advocating for survivor justice.
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2017
UASU initiates advocacy for the hiring of a Sexual Violence Response (SVR) Coordinator role within the University of Alberta.
Resources
From counseling and clinical services to the U of A Sexual Assault Centre, Peer Support Centre, and legal assistance, we're here to ensure a safe and supportive environment. Explore the tools available to foster a campus culture of consent, respect, and empowerment.