UBC sexual assault complaints lead university to hire independent investigator

The University of British Columbia has hired an independent investigator to review its response to sexual assault and harassment allegations raised by a group of former and current students.

Three women held a news conference last month to complain that school administrators took a year and a half to act on multiple allegations of sexual assault against a PhD student.

• UBC 'abandoned' women who reported sexual assaults
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• UBC apologizes after CBC's the fifth estate investigates delay on sex assault complaints

Associate vice-president of equity and inclusion Sara-Jane Finlay says UBC has hired Vancouver labour and employment lawyer Paula Butler to review the case.

Finlay says a report will be ready in February with a summary available to the university community.

The incident exposed the university's lack of specific procedures to respond to sexual assault complaints which rely on a general discrimination and harassment policy.

Finlay says UBC will announce a number of initiatives in January to support the development of a standalone sexual assault policy.

School of Secrets: The fifth estate's investigation

9 years ago

Duration 39:59

The University of British Columbia took more than a year and a half to act against a graduate student despite mounting complaints of harassment or sexual assault by at least 6 women on campus.