UBC releases draft sexual violence policy, faces criticism for lack of clarity

A former UBC student who filed a human-rights complaint over the school’s response to a reported sexual assault says that the school’s new draft sexual assault policy fails to address her concerns, reports the Canadian Press. The draft reportedly does not include any new standalone policy for reporting sexual assaults, and former UBC student Glynnis Kirchmeier argues that it does not include a clear outline for what will happen after a student reports a sexual assault. “It’s one of the ways you can reduce trauma,” she says. “This policy does not tell a victim what is going to happen, and as a result it will not encourage people to report.” UBC presented the draft policy at a meeting this Tuesday and noted that it will be open for public comment and amendment in the future. Globe and Mail (CP)