Carleton University Academic Staff Association

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2012

FACULTY EXPRESS CONCERN OVER SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTRE ANNOUNCEMENT

OTTAWA - The Carleton University Academic Staff Association applauds the proposal to create a sexual assault support centre by the Carleton University administration as a step towards eliminating sexual violence on campus. However, the university has ignored the student-centered, non-medical model put forward by students, faculty and staff at Carleton.

On December 8, 2011, CUASA's governing body passed a resolution supporting the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre in the wake of a string of sexual assaults on campus. Students have been working since 2007, following a high profile sexual assault on campus, for a university-funded sexual assault centre. This most recent string of sexual assaults highlights the need for such a centre at Carleton. Similar centres exist at universities all across Canada such as the University of Toronto, the University of Victoria and the University of Alberta.

"The administration has simply rebranded the inadequate resources already in place as a sexual assault centre," said Patrizia Gentile, Chair of CUASA’s Internal Affairs Committee. "They haven't actually addressed many of the concerns that the Coalition and CUASA have raised."

CUASA hopes that the university will collaborate fully with campus partners to ensure adequate and appropriate resources go toward promoting the safety of students, faculty, and staff at Carleton.

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