Cornell investigation renews focus on sexual assault prevention at Hamilton-area universities

The situation at Cornell University has ignited a firestorm of discussion on campus there and beyond.

Here in Hamilton, a local sexual assault help centre says we are currently in what they call “the red zone,” a timeframe during the first six to eight weeks of the fall semester when campus sexual assaults are the most likely to occur.

It’s not what you might think of when you hear “back to school,” but those working at Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area (SACHA) say it’s a reality.

“Right now, we know we are in what’s called the ‘red zone,’ which is the first six to eight weeks of the fall semester, where sexual violence on campus increases and over 50 per cent of sexual assaults that happen during the academic year are gonna happen within these first six to eight weeks,” said Mirand Jurilj, the Public Education Coordinator with SACHA.

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Jurilj says the start of the fall semester is a vulnerable time, especially for first year students.

“It’s dangerous because perpetrators take advantage of this time, with people being isolated, with people meeting a lot of new people at once, with trying new things,” said Jurilj, “and we know there is an increase in alcohol, which is not a cause of sexual violence, but can be used by perpetrators to facilitate sexual violence.”

Local universities say they are committed to fostering a safe environment for students.

In a statement to CHCH News, a representative from McMaster University says, “McMaster provides a range of inclusive and trauma-informed services for students woven with care and support through the Sexual Violence Prevention Response Office (SVPRO) and the Student Wellness Centre. Prevention, education and support are year-round priorities, and resources are available to all community members.”

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Brock University told CHCH News that all incoming first-year students are required to complete both online and in-person consent training, which includes topics like consent, healthy relationships and bystander intervention.

Hamilton Health Sciences hospitals have specially trained nurses who meet with victims of sexual assault, in addition to providing counselling services and addressing concerns of sexually transmitted diseases, and unwanted pregnancy, staff can collect evidence.

“We’re able to give that to the police right away, or we can actually store it in hospital for up to six months so patients can decide whether they choose to involve police or not,” said Laura Smith, at the Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Care Centre.

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A victim of sexual assault is never to blame, as there is only ever one cause of sexual violence.

“There is nothing that causes sexual violence except somebody making a choice to sexually assault someone else,” said Jurilj. “That is the only cause of sexual violence.”

Details on free confidential support across Ontario can be found at sexualassaultsupport.ca.

For those in the Hamilton area, they can call SACHA’s 24 hour support line at 905-525-4162.

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