In response to feedback provided by several groups—including a strong response by the undergraduate body—the vice-president (students and enrolment) Suzanne Blanchard made several amendments to the Sexual Violence Policy Draft before it was presented and eventually passed by the Board of Governors. On Dec. 1, 2016 the Carleton Board of Governors passed the Carleton Sexual Violence Policy with protestors chanting “not our policy” outside Richcraft Hall.
Although the changes did improve the policy, they are not enough. They are not enough to ensure a just complaint process that respects the wishes of survivors. Nor are they enough to properly prevent instances of sexual violence from occurring on Carleton’s campus (or off-campus by members of the university community) in the future. Although it is important to celebrate the successful dialogue between Carleton’s administration and the student body, we must remain critical of the current Sexual Violence Policy.
Written by the Carleton Human Rights Society, this Petition supports an Open Letter to Reform Carleton's flawed Sexual Violence Policy that was passed on December 1, 2016. The Carleton administration stated that they would continue to be open to consultation and recommendations in a letter written by the VP Students and Enrolment Suzanne Blanchard. This Open Letter seeks to gain support for recommended reforms to the Sexual Violence Policy to encourage the administration to uphold its commitment to continued consultation.
Our recommendations are as follows:
- Add visitors and alumni to those who are within the scope of the policy.
- Add a clause prohibiting complainants from being forced to attend hearings that bring them face-to-face with the respondent.
- Add an immunity clause to protect survivors from being sanctioned for drug or alcohol use at the time of the assault.
- Amend the policy to allow the Review Committee to inform survivors of the sanctions ordered against the respondent (already found responsible of sexual assault).
- Create a survivor advocate position, whereby a support worker will be able to help the survivor as they navigate the complaint process.
Its time for senior administration to meaningfully engage with the Carleton University community and create a sexual violence policy that supports survivors at all stages of the Complaint process.
NOTE: When you sign this petition your name will be added to our full Open Letter, linked below. Please sign with your FULL NAME and in the comment box please LIST YOUR PROGRAM AND ANY TITLES AT CARLETON. This petition is open to all members of the University community, as well as general community members. The open letter will not be edited as of February 10, 2017.
Updates
February 15, 2017
Reaching this point has been an exhausting uphill climb but seeing the numbers grow reminds me why we started this fight in the first place. The administration is still ignoring the reality of the situation on campus yet you continue to show that we are not alone in demanding better. I am tired but I am not stopping until they acknowledge that this policy remains fundamentally broken.
Reached 100 supporters
February 15, 2017
33 Comments
Sexual violence predominantly affects students on campus, which is why I believe any policy the University adopts must reflect the concerns of the student, and more importantly, be victim centric.
These seem like reasonable policies that would help survivors navigate and get the help they need.
Why is this still an isssue.... fix it so people can feel safe and protected on campus
It is unacceptable that the university called for feedback from the Carleton community and then blatantly disregarded this feedback.
I shouldn't have to give reasons for why this petition is close to my heart and I won't. But these five demands should be common sense and should not have be petitioned for. C'mon Carleton, be better.
B.Eng in Electrical Engineering
Keep up the great work on improving the policy for students! I wish I was there to participate in person but am inspired by all the work students are doing on campus this year. In solidarity, Sam
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
In response to feedback provided by several groups—including a strong response by the undergraduate body—the vice-president (students and enrolment) Suzanne Blanchard made several amendments to the Sexual Violence Policy Draft before it was presented and eventually passed by the Board of Governors. On Dec. 1, 2016 the Carleton Board of Governors passed the Carleton Sexual Violence Policy with protestors chanting “not our policy” outside Richcraft Hall.
Although the changes did improve the policy, they are not enough. They are not enough to ensure a just complaint process that respects the wishes of survivors. Nor are they enough to properly prevent instances of sexual violence from occurring on Carleton’s campus (or off-campus by members of the university community) in the future. Although it is important to celebrate the successful dialogue between Carleton’s administration and the student body, we must remain critical of the current Sexual Violence Policy.
Written by the Carleton Human Rights Society, this Petition supports an Open Letter to Reform Carleton's flawed Sexual Violence Policy that was passed on December 1, 2016. The Carleton administration stated that they would continue to be open to consultation and recommendations in a letter written by the VP Students and Enrolment Suzanne Blanchard. This Open Letter seeks to gain support for recommended reforms to the Sexual Violence Policy to encourage the administration to uphold its commitment to continued consultation.
Our recommendations are as follows:
- Add visitors and alumni to those who are within the scope of the policy.
- Add a clause prohibiting complainants from being forced to attend hearings that bring them face-to-face with the respondent.
- Add an immunity clause to protect survivors from being sanctioned for drug or alcohol use at the time of the assault.
- Amend the policy to allow the Review Committee to inform survivors of the sanctions ordered against the respondent (already found responsible of sexual assault).
- Create a survivor advocate position, whereby a support worker will be able to help the survivor as they navigate the complaint process.
Its time for senior administration to meaningfully engage with the Carleton University community and create a sexual violence policy that supports survivors at all stages of the Complaint process.
NOTE: When you sign this petition your name will be added to our full Open Letter, linked below. Please sign with your FULL NAME and in the comment box please LIST YOUR PROGRAM AND ANY TITLES AT CARLETON. This petition is open to all members of the University community, as well as general community members. The open letter will not be edited as of February 10, 2017.
Updates
February 15, 2017
Reaching this point has been an exhausting uphill climb but seeing the numbers grow reminds me why we started this fight in the first place. The administration is still ignoring the reality of the situation on campus yet you continue to show that we are not alone in demanding better. I am tired but I am not stopping until they acknowledge that this policy remains fundamentally broken.
Reached 100 supporters
February 15, 2017
33 Comments
I am in solidarity as a fellow Carleton University student with the wonderful organizers behind the reform of our current (and inadequate) sexual violence policy.
Sexual violence predominantly affects students on campus, which is why I believe any policy the University adopts must reflect the concerns of the student, and more importantly, be victim centric.
These seem like reasonable policies that would help survivors navigate and get the help they need.
Why is this still an isssue.... fix it so people can feel safe and protected on campus
It is unacceptable that the university called for feedback from the Carleton community and then blatantly disregarded this feedback.
I shouldn't have to give reasons for why this petition is close to my heart and I won't. But these five demands should be common sense and should not have be petitioned for. C'mon Carleton, be better.
B.Eng in Electrical Engineering
Keep up the great work on improving the policy for students! I wish I was there to participate in person but am inspired by all the work students are doing on campus this year. In solidarity, Sam
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I am in solidarity as a fellow Carleton University student with the wonderful organizers behind the reform of our current (and inadequate) sexual violence policy.