St. Thomas University Students' Union Responds to Campus Sexual Violence
The St. Thomas University Students’ Union wholeheartedly supports and stands in solidarity with our STUdent and alumni survivors. We have been actively listening and hearing your stories, and we believe you. We are appalled at the inaction of university administrations to support their students. St. Thomas University has a unique relationship with the University of New Brunswick Fredericton, one that allows us to share services and a campus. As a result of this relationship, we share perpetrators between campuses. The St. Thomas University Students’ Union wants to emphasize that this is a unified issue, and we stand with survivors at Mount Allison University, the University of New Brunswick Fredericton, and the University of New Brunswick Saint John.
Furthermore, we would like to acknowledge the unique student population that we represent. The St. Thomas University student body is made up of a large portion of Indigenous peoples, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and women. Sexual violence disproportionality impacts these groups of people. In 2019, one in ten women students were sexually assaulted in a post-secondary setting (Statistics Canada, 2020). The risk of experiencing sexual violence on university and college campuses increases for women who experience multiple forms of identity-based marginalization. Specifically, those who face higher risks are Indigenous women, women with disabilities and transgender individuals (Gunraj, 2014). 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians were more likely to have experienced physical or sexual assault both since age 15 and in the past 12 months than heterosexual Canadians (Statistics Canada, 2020). The rate of self-reported sexual assault of Indigenous peoples was almost triple that of non-Indigenous people (Department of Justice Canada, 2017). Although we acknowledge sexual violence disproportionately impacts these groups, we also acknowledge men are survivors too. We believe and support all our STUdent survivors.
The St. Thomas University Students’ Union met with St. Thomas University administration this morning, and will remain in close contact and collaboration with the university to ensure action is taken to better support our students. During this meeting, we encouraged the administration to release a statement in order to be transparent with students regarding the action they are taking. The St. Thomas University Students’ Union will be contacting the University of New Brunswick’s administration to remind them that their actions not only impact their students, but our students too.
We are strongly encouraging any students with standing appointments with Dr. Bhargava to cancel, and seek services elsewhere. We will be sharing a list of alternative services over the weekend. We suggest students take advantage of the Campus Sexual Assault Support Advocates (CSASAs) service, who provide a number of trauma-informed supports for survivors who experienced sexual violence during their time at university. Should you wish to file a complaint, the CSASAs can aid you in this process, however their services are not limited to those who wish to file a complaint. The St. Thomas University Students’ Union is here to support our students, in any way students may deem fit, whether that be advocating alongside students to university administration, or putting students in contact with support services.
STUdents, continue to be advocates and to make your voices heard. Continue to dismantle the culture of campus sexual violence by educating yourselves, and holding your fellow students accountable. To our St. Thomas University survivors, whether you have shared your story or not, we see you, we hear you, and we believe you.
The St. Thomas University Students’ Union (STUSU) was established over 75 years ago and represents the interests of all students at St. Thomas University.
Media Contact: Sarah Kohut, STUSU President, su_president@stu.ca, 905-317-7087.
-30-