Ontario’s colleges have created a sexual assault policy that will soon be implemented province wide. The presidents of 24 public colleges have voted to endorse a uniform policy that provides a clear path for victims of sexual violence and clearly outlines a school’s responsibility. They will now take the next two months to consult with local groups before putting finalized policies in place at each school. Campuses must be “safe and welcoming” and ensure “immediate and effective help” is available to victims of sexual assault, said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario, the advocacy group that represents the colleges. “There’s an absolute and fundamental belief in the college system that this is our responsibility,” Franklin said in an interview with the Star.
