Minister ‘shocked’ by university’s handling of woman’s sexual assault allegation
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s advanced education minister says he was “shocked” by St. Francis Xavier University’s mishandling of a reported case of sexual assault, saying he’s asked his department to explore options to suspend students accused of sexual violence pending a legal outcome.
Labi Kousoulis told the legislature Tuesday he was “disappointed as all Nova Scotians would be” by the case and has spoken with the university’s administration.
“St. F.X. did acknowledge that they did not put the victim first,” he said, referring to a Canadian Press story about a Toronto-area woman’s experience reporting an alleged sexual assault to the university.
Kousoulis added that the Antigonish, N.S., university has apologized to the family and “refunded all of the student’s tuition, and room and board and all expenses paid for the year.”