Quebec announces consultations on campus sexual violence
Announcement follows alleged break-ins and assaults at Laval University residence, allegations against MNA
The Quebec government will host a series of four consultations examining sexual violence at the province's universities and colleges, Higher Education Minister Hélène David announced Thursday.
The talks will be held in Montreal, Quebec City, Gatineau and Saguenay between now and March 2017, David said.
The announcement comes on the heels of a rash of alleged break-ins and assaults at Laval University in Quebec City last weekend.
Quebec's Liberal government is also looking into sexual assault allegations against a Montreal-area Liberal MNA.
Gerry Sklavounos, the deputy house leader under Premier Philippe Couillard, resigned from Caucus on Thursday following an allegation made Wednesday night.
- Woman alleges she was sexually assaulted by Quebec MNA while working as restaurant hostess
- 15 complaints of break-ins, alleged sexual crimes reported at Laval University residence
The consultations will unite representatives of governments, educational institutions, student groups and organizations focused on sexual violence in a bid to identify ways to "counter and prevent violence of a sexual nature on campus."
"Through this process, we hope to develop common practices that will then be framed in a policy or even a law," David said.
"We want these measures to make Quebec one of the most engaged and most progressive in North America and offer our students the best conditions in which to pursue their studies in institutions free of sexual violence."
David also called on all Quebec schools to hold their own talks and come up with recommendations for the government.
"Sexual violence of any kind is unacceptable," she said.