Universities moving away from allowing students to judge sex assaults
VANCOUVER — When Stephanie Hale read the University of British Columbia’s new sexual misconduct policy, she had mixed emotions.
The 22-year-old undergraduate had refused to participate in a hearing last November on her complaint of sex assault because it took place under the university’s existing procedures, which allow a panel of students to judge whether an assault occurred. The hearing was held without her.
Now, after significant pressure from students and advocates on campus, the university has revised its draft policy to allow for highly trained, trauma-informed investigators to handle all allegations of sexual assault made against members of the UBC community.
“I’m sad for myself that I didn’t get to go through a legitimate system that’s going to treat me as a participant,” said Hale. “But I am very glad to know that future victims are going to have a system that’s going to work for them and take their needs and wants into account.”