Brandon University has agreed to end the practice of having victims of sex assault on campus sign "behavioural contracts" that would keep them silent, president and vice-chancellor Gervan Fearon says.
"We acknowledged that it is not helpful for the survivor," Fearon told a room of reporters and students Tuesday afternoon on campus in Brandon, Man. "It was inappropriate for us to have used it."
Brandon University student Gabrielle Fouillard holds up a sign Tuesday on campus ahead of an announcement from administration about the school's sex assault policy. (CBC)
The policy change comes after We Believe Survivors, a campus group that was formed just 10 days ago, discovered the existence of the contract on a forum it set up for students to post anonymously about their stories of sexual violence on campus.
CBC News spoke with an alleged victim who signed one of the contracts. She was 17 when she was sexually assaulted in a residence at Brandon University in September 2015, she said.
Fearon said a task force was formed following the incident last fall that recommended changing the university's policy. Previously, BU had victims of sexual assault sign contracts that limited who they could speak with about the assault except to counsellors at the school.
"I am pleased to report we have acted on that recommendation and will not have any student behavioural contracts in such cases at this university," Fearon said.
The previous contract spelled out that the signer cannot have contact with the other person involved in an incident and that they are not to discuss what happened with anyone else other than a counsellor.
Fearon said there has only been one sex assault reported to university administration in the past year. He said contracts like the one BU has used in the past are used by other universities in certain contexts, but he recognizes they are unhelpful and no longer appropriate.
"We take action towards educating, preventing, addressing incidences of sexual violence, assault and harassment here at the university. Categorically, it is clear that a student behavioural contract was used by Brandon University. Categorically, we acknowledge it was not appropriate and is not appropriate, in this case or in cases of sexual assault, sexual violence or sexual harassment," Fearon said.
The task force also recommended the university make advocates readily available to help survivors following an assault, as well as form a committee to review current policies at other Canadian universities. The hope, Fearon said, is to have a "new formal policy" available in September 2016.
Fearon praised the work of student groups who have been working to support survivors and raise awareness about sexual assault on campus.
