Students reminded of the importance of ending the rape culture on campuses

For Immediate Release

Halifax, N.S. – With the recent sexual assault charges that were laid on a student at Acadia University, students across the province are reminded again of the importance of ending the rape culture on our campuses.

StudentsNS has been committed to this issue and continues to lead the discussion around the prevention of sexualized violence and the elimination of the rape culture on our campuses in Nova Scotia. StudentsNS continues to support Acadia University Students’ Union at this time and recognizes that this is not an isolated incident. Many students do not report such instances illustrating one of the biggest challenges surrounding sexualized violence.

StudentsNS was impressed to see the provincial government release is first Sexual Violence Strategy in June 2015. This incident should be a reminder to all that this issue should be at the forefront of the government’s agenda. “We hope that the government will engage with StudentsNS and its members as it rolls out the Sexual Violence Strategy to ensure that students’ voices are heard on how to address this issue,” said Nick Head-Petersen, Executive Director of Students Nova Scotia.

“This is the issue that will define our generation. We must find a way to stop such violence,” said Chair of Students Nova Scotia and Acadia Vice President Academic, Fallis Thomson. “No one should have to be faced with violence at any time, but especially as they are returning to class. Our campuses should be safe places for all those who work, learn, and live on them.”

StudentsNS will release a revamped version of its “More Than Yes” campaign later this month. “We are committed to continuing to lead the discussion about the elimination of rape culture on our campuses,” said Head-Petersen. “Our More Than Yes campaign has created awareness across the province and we will expand its reach this year as we look to future our impact on the eliminate of sexualized violence.”

Resources:

More Than Yes
Response to Dalhousie Dentistry misogyny revelations
Sexual Assault Prevention Review
Sexual Assault Prevention Review announcement
More than Yes Campaign announcement
StudentsNS response to rape chant

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Students Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit and non-partisan advocacy and research group that represents post-secondary students from across Nova Scotia. Our members include Acadia, Cape Breton, Saint Mary’s, and St. Francis Xavier Universities, the Kingstec and Annapolis Valley Campuses of the Nova Scotia Community College, and the Atlantic School of Theology.

For more information, please contact:

Nick Head-Petersen, Executive Director
Phone: 249 878 0400
Email: director@studentsns.ca

Or

Fallis Thompson, Chair of StudentsNS
Phone: 902 585 2127
Email: fallis.thompson@acadiau.ca