Report on university campus sexual violence calls for culture change
HALIFAX — A new report is calling on Nova Scotia’s 10 universities to set up additional programs to prevent sexual violence on campus, just weeks after high-profile sexual assault charges were laid at one school.
“Nova Scotia universities, like universities in other jurisdictions, have had incidents of sexual assaults,” said Dianne Taylor-Gearing, president of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.
“Sexual assault in any form, in any number, is simply unacceptable.”
The 72-page report released Friday explores the root causes of sexual violence, saying it is linked to issues such as gender inequality, confusion about consent, and a prevailing “rape culture” that still exists on campus.