Premier responds to sex assault protocol

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In the wake of the Jian Ghomeshi sexual assault allegations and the allegations of sexual harassment on parliament hill, Premier Kathleen Wynne is promising to take concrete steps in order to reduce sexual violence and to encourage victims to feel comfortable coming forward.

Wynne announced earlier today that she will be creating a sexual violence and harassment committee.

The premier says she’s also working on a number of initiatives to raise awareness, including a public education campaign that will launch in 2015, to challenge norms and attitudes surrounding sexual violence and harassment. The premier adds that while there are laws and protocols currently in place, only a small percentage of victims actually go to police and that needs to change.

Wynne: “It’s a reality that there have been procedures and protocols in place, and yet there still is a hesitance on the part of people to come forward and that’s why we need o look at what is it about the culture that we have all created — because we have all been in this together that has not provided for people to come forward. And some of that would be the work of the committee and some of that would be the work that I’ve asked my ministers to do and we will come forward with that plan in March.”

The premier also says the government will look for ways to reduce sexual assault at colleges and universities, but that students must be taught about appropriate relationships long before they start their post-secondary studies. As for the committee, if it hasn’t been formed by the time the legislature breaks for holidays on December 11th, Wynne says she’ll strike a non-legislative panel to fulfill its job.