Carleton University Academic Staff Association

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2011

CUASA SUPPORTS STUDENT CALLS FOR A CARLETON UNIVERSITY SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTRE

OTTAWA - The Council of the Carleton University Academic Staff Association passed a resolution yesterday in support of the creation of a sexual assault centre at Carleton University in the wake of a recent string of sexual assaults on campus.

“By supporting this resolution, Council has said that it supports a safer campus for faculty, staff and students at Carleton,” said Jennifer Evans, Chair of CUASA’s Equity Committee. “We hope that the University administration will take this opportunity to commit to finding space and funding for a sexual assault centre as soon as possible.”

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.

“It is fantastic that Council is supporting the creation of this centre. It’s necessary to send a message to the Carleton community that CUASA, as one of the largest unions on campus, believes in creating a safer campus for workers and students alike,” said Patrizia Gentile, Chair of CUASA’s Internal Affairs Committee.

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