Queen’s Board of Trustees has received the 2018-19 Sexual Violence Annual Report, which includes information about the university’s prevention, education and response services and programs, annual statistics, and information about the implementation and effectiveness of the Policy on Sexual Violence Involving Queen’s University Students. The report is submitted to the Board of Trustees in compliance with Ontario’s Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act, which requires each college or university to have a policy on sexual violence, and to annually report to the provincial government using a common set of metrics.

The report indicates that there were 19 formal complaints of sexual violence on campus during that time, a decrease from the previous year. The 2017-2018 report, the university’s first, was presented to the Queen’s Board of Trustees in March 2019, and it showed that there were 31 formal complaints of sexual violence over that academic year.

“One instance of sexual violence on our campus is too many, and we will continue to strive to create a campus culture that prioritizes consent and safety for everyone. We are also working to ensure that students who are affected by sexual violence are aware of the many campus resources that are available to support them,” says Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane.

Queen’s has a growing number of sexual violence prevention and response resources in place. Entering undergraduate students all undergo consent training as a part of orientation. The Division of Student Affairs also offers Sexual Violence Bystander Intervention Training. Among the many campus resources that can advise students affected by sexual violence, there is Student Wellness Services, the Human Rights and Equity Office, and the AMS Peer Support Centre.

Any student in need of support is encouraged to contact Queen’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator, Barb Lotan, at bjl7@queensu.ca , Student Wellness Services at 613-533-2506, the Interfaith Chaplaincy at 613-533-2186, or Good2Talk – a 24/7 confidential and anonymous post-secondary student helpline at 1-866-925-5454. Faculty and staff members may contact the Employee and Family Assistance Program, at 1-800-663-1142.