Alberta has some of the finest post-secondary schools in Canada, training students to become leaders in the public and private sector while ensuring the future economic and social success of the community-at-large.
As such, ensuring that those universities, colleges and other institutions are safe and secure places of learning for all students is an absolute must going forward.
On the other hand, if an Alberta post-secondary school is not safe, the longterm negative impact on students can be far-reaching and profoundly damaging.
May was Sexual Awareness Month in Alberta, a time set aside to highlight the need to combat all types of sexual violence while providing encouragement and support to victims and their families.
This year Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides called for a particular focus on sexual violence that occurs on Alberta post-secondary campuses.
“One in five women attending university or college will experience sexual violence,” said Nicolaides. “Most often, it’s by someone she knows, and also most often, she does not report what happened. Many survivors are left feeling isolated, ashamed or that they are to blame.
“Campus sexual violence is not only physically and emotionally scarring, it steals from students. It robs them of safe places to learn, and it deprives them of the confidence they need to further their academic career.”
In his comment Nicolaides noted that males can also be victims of sexual assault, including on school campuses.
Every one of Alberta’s 26 post-secondary schools has now developed policies and programs to combat sexual violence on their respective campuses. That is a positive and progressive move that should be applauded.
When Minister Nicolaides said that “more can be done and will be done to combat sexual violence” on the province’s post-secondary campuses he is issuing both as a promise and a challenge.
Alberta’s excellent post-secondary schools, including Olds College and Red Deer College, are an invaluable resource that all residents can be proud of. As such, ensuring that they are safe and secure places of learning is in everyone’s best interest.
Dan Singleton is an editor with The Albertan.
