UNB, STU prepare for Frosh Week with new sexual violence polices
Both universities have implemented training for frosh supervisors designed to reduce sexual violence
It's less than two weeks before university students return to campus and one issue that is often at the forefront of Frosh Week is sexual violence.
St. Thomas University and the University of New Brunswick are both planning their Frosh Week and have said education about sexual violence is a priority.
Both universities have unveiled new documents regarding sexual violence in the past year. This will be the first Frosh Week under the new policies.
- UNB brings in 'survivor-centered' approach for sexual assault reports
- St. Thomas University introduces policy on sexual violence
There were five reports of sexual assault at UNB between Sept. 1, 2015 and June 8, 2016. St. Thomas had three formal reports.
UNB Student Union president Travis Daley said in addition to literature that will be handed out to students, the university is focusing on training.
"One of the measures we have taken is ensuring that all 145 of our orientation leaders, red shirts, are trained in "bringing in the bystander," which is intervention and prevention around sexual violence and sexual assault," said Travis Daley.
Alcohol ban for new students
STU spokesman Jeffery Carleton said measures designed to prevent sexual violence start when students enter residence.
"There's an alcohol ban in place for just the first half of the week, it's just the new students on campus," said Carleton.
STU will also have an event for students discussing issues around sexual ethics such as consent.
There has been an increased awareness about sexual violence on university campuses in recent years, with the documentary The Hunting Ground about campus sexual assault being screened on campuses across the United States and Canada. Daley said the increased awareness has come to UNB.
"That's a good thing. Our attention is drawn to it, that means we can mobilize around it," said Daley.
Sexual violence on campus is one of those issues that will always be here in the sense that every year we're getting over 600 new students.- Jeffrey Carleton, St. Thomas University
Carleton said education about sexual violence has to be a yearly offering
"Sexual violence on campus is one of those issues that will always be here in the sense that every year we're getting over 600 new students. Now they've come from high schools around the country and indeed around the world," said Carleton
"So they're aware of the issues, but they're in a new environment now. So every September we have to look at a new group of students coming into St. Thomas and start from scratch."