UBC announces new committee to develop sex assault policy
Twelve member panel of students staff and faculty expected to submit a first draft by June
A new committee has been set up to develop a sexual assault policy at the University of British Columbia following
complaints that the school's process for reporting attacks is broken.
- UBC sexual assault complainants say nothing changing at school
- Clarity needed in UBC system for handling sex assault allegations: report
- UBC sexual assault complaints lead university to hire independent investigator
Sara-Jane Finlay of UBC's equity and inclusion office and Kimberly Beck from the office of the university counsel will lead a 12-member panel of students, staff and faculty members.
A first draft is expected to be ready for review and consultation in June, with a final policy to be submitted to the Board of Governors in October.
The university currently relies on a general discrimination and harassment policy to deal with allegations of sexual assault.
Current and former students complained last November that the school had dragged its heels in responding to allegations against a PhD candidate, and a recent investigation concluded that a lack of clarity around procedures was part of the problem.
UBC vowed to create a stand-alone policy in response, and is also working on a campus-wide prevention plan to reduce sexual assault.