Conestoga news

February 20, 2018 8:01 AM

Provincial survey will collect student feedback on sexual violence

Throughout February and March, all post-secondary students in Ontario will be invited to participate in an online survey that CCI Research is conducting on behalf of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD) in collaboration with universities, publicly-funded colleges and private career colleges in the province.

The survey is part of a provincial initiative to gather information and data from students about their experiences, general attitudes and beliefs related to personal safety and sexual violence. The survey provides a reporting mechanism to support amendments to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act and the Private Career Colleges Act that require institutions to have sexual violence policies and to report on the effectiveness of those policies. 

The results will help the government and post-secondary institutions develop benchmark data to assess the effectiveness of sexual violence policies and procedures across campuses in the province, and to implement changes and improvements where necessary.

The survey was developed in consultation with representatives from student groups and postsecondary institutions, researchers working on sexual violence, and members of the ministry’s Sexual Violence Reporting Advisory Committee. Members of the committee include representatives from the Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario, the College Student Alliance, Colleges Ontario, and violence against women researchers and community partners.

When will students at Conestoga receive the survey?

Throughout February and March, all full-time post-secondary students in the province who are 18 years of age and older will be invited to participate in the survey. Conestoga students will receive their invitation by email in early March and will have until April 2 to respond to it. Students will need approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete the survey.

How will the data be used?

MAESD will publish the overall provincial results of the survey as well as a breakdown of results by type of institution: college, career college and university.

Post-secondary institutions across the province will analyze the data collected for their individual institutions to assess the effectiveness of their own sexual violence policies and support services on campus. 

The survey will be repeated once every three years to give institutions time to review and assess their survey results, and implement changes where necessary.

CCI Research will protect student identity: results will only be reported in a format that preserves confidentiality.

Conestoga’s Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Policy

Conestoga is committed to having a campus community that is respectful, welcoming and inclusive. We are committed to supporting those who experience sexual violence, and work diligently on campus and with our community partners on programs, policies and resources to ensure our campuses remain free from sexual violence.

Conestoga’s Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Policy and Procedure ensures that those affected by sexual violence are believed and appropriately accommodated. It also ensures the College has a process of investigation that protects the rights of individuals and holds individuals who have committed an act of sexual violence accountable.

Where to find more information about the survey:

Resources on campus: