Government To Create Safe, Inclusive, And Welcoming Spaces For BC Students

As a new semester starts at post-secondary institutions, the federal government is hoping to create safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces for students in the province.

As a new semester starts at post-secondary institutions, the federal government is hoping to create safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces for students in the province.

Nearly two-thirds of on-campus assaults occur during the first eight weeks of school.

“I know how important it is for students to participate in school and campus life without worrying about their safety, whether in class, working or studying, or at a social gathering,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “We’re continuing to work with students, faculty, staff and the many student associations and groups, to fund and support a range of initiatives to raise awareness, prevent and respond to sexualized violence.”

The federal government is providing $500,000 to further address sexualized violence at B.C. post-secondary institutions.

This funding will improve and expand the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Training Series to address gaps when it comes to the safety of students, specifically Indigenous students, graduate students and international students, and sexualized violence through digital communications.

New specialized training resources will support systemic change in addressing sexualized violence at post-secondary institutions and will support students, faculty, and staff to prevent and respond to sexualized violence.

These resources are being developed with the post-secondary sector and will be available at all institutions by summer 2024.

The Province also recently provided additional funding of $500,000 to support and enhance sexualized violence reporting systems.

This funding will help institutions implement new or enhance existing services that are trauma-informed, survivor-centric, and easily accessible to students.