The University of Lethbridge Students' Union has responded to a new report about sexual and gender-based violence among post-secondary students, September 1, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Half of post-secondary students experience gender/sexual violence, U of L demands change

Sep 1, 2023 | 5:52 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU) said it is “deeply concerned” about a new report regarding sexual and gender-based violence.

Leger published a report titled, “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Alberta Post-Secondary Education,” surveying 12,948 students from across the province between January 30-March 16, 2023.

The organization partnered with all of Alberta’s 26 publicly-funded post-secondary institutions, including the University of Lethbridge (U of L) and Lethbridge College for the report.

The study found that half of all post-secondary students reported having experienced some form of sexual or gender-based violence. The numbers were even higher for women, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, people with gender-diverse pronouns, and people with disabilities.

Approximately 47 per cent of surveyed students believe that supports are available for the victims of sexual or gender-based violence

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The report states that only a small portion of victims have accessed the available supports. The primary reason people were not doing this was that they felt that their experience was not significant or serious enough to talk about or access help.

Some of the other findings in the report include:

• 45 per cent have experienced sexual harassment
• 17 per cent have experienced stalking
• 11 per cent have experienced sexual assault
• 10 per cent have experienced intimate partner violence
• Four per cent have experienced non-consensual production or distribution of sexual images

The ULSU said in a statement that “Alberta post-secondaries are in the midst of a crisis of sexual and gender-based violence, this report highlights that our institutions are not equipped with the ability to mitigate this emergency situation on their own.”

“The ULSU stands with, and affirms, the experiences of all survivors of sexual or gender-based violence. A report was not needed for us to know that change was necessary, but with the data now available we are better equipped to ensure your voices are heard.”

The students’ union is calling on the Government of Alberta to increase funding for U of L’s Sexual Violence Support & Education department. It offers a variety of on-campus supports and helps victims to connect with other off-campus emergency supports and educational resources.

“Additionally, we are calling on the Ministry of Advanced Education to develop a working group, with student representatives present at the table, to review current policy and develop new policy recommendations informed by the findings of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Alberta Post-Secondary Education report,” said the ULSU.

Minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney said she and the Government of Alberta will support the victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

“We remain committed to campus safety, including the prevention of gender-based violence,” said Sawhney. “This report gives us a clearer picture of students’ experiences across the province so we can address gaps and move forward with strong, survivor-centric supports.”

The province has also encouraged post-secondary institutions to use the data from this report to address needs specific to their campuses, such as improving reporting processes, intervening as a bystander, how to respond to a disclosure, and increasing awareness of available supports.

The full report can be accessed on the Government of Alberta website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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