Lethbridge College is all about promoting a safe learning environment and health staff are hoping this always remains true for students.
The college hosted a number of campaigns and seminars regarding aspects of sexual assault including toxic masculinity and training staff and students to be proper supports to victims.
Something the college made sure to define is consent.
“Consent doesn’t mean try harder, it doesn’t mean get [them] drunk,” said Ron Solinski, an instructor at Lethbridge College who teaches a class on family violence.
According to the college’s sexual misconduct prevention and response policy, “consent is communication of mutually understandable words or actions given freely and actively that indicate a willingness to participate in a mutually agreed upon sexual activity or actions. Consent cannot be given when a party is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.”
When somone at the college experiences assault, there are four different options to consider with the report. A victim can confide in someone at Health and Shepell Counselling, who can connect them with various supports. They could also request an administrative investigation, provided the assault occurred on campus or in a learning environment. The third option would be a criminal investigation, the college would facilitate a meeting between the officers and the victim. The fourth option would be a third-party report, where someone close to a victim could come forward with their concerns, which could result in an administrative investigation.
Harmoni Jones, health promotion coordinator for the college explained that sexual assault is often a showcase of dominance.
“It’s not about sex. It’s about that power and control that someone would get from that act or another person.”
There is essentially a pyramid of acts regarding sexual assault. It starts with basic attitudes and beliefs such as homophobia, racism and sexism. That escalates into verbal expression, sexual comments and jokes. If that escalates, it turns into the physical act of rape and assault.
“The basis of that is lack of respect, dehumanizing that other person,” Jones added.
Jones and the rest of the staff at the college are working to keep developing programs and workshops to encourage victims to come forward, and discourage the acts from occurring on campus. Anyone who wishes to report can walk into Mental Health Services in CE1380 or calling 403-320-6173.
