'We're so late': Students at U of M say sexual violence policy badly needed

Students at the University of Moncton are pushing the school to adopt a policy on sexual violence after a student was targeted bya malicious email campaign.

The campaign wassexual in nature, with the university having confirmed thousands ofemailssent to students and staff since the weekend.

• 'Hateful' and sexual mass emails targeting Moncton student originated outside country

• Victim of 'revenge porn' in campus emails files complaint with RCMP

Although much of the focushas been onhow the perpetrator could havebeen able to steal the electronic identity of the student association, or the university itselfamong others, to send hismalicious emails.

But Sarah Grandisson, a social work student at the university, says the real concernis the victim's wellbeing.

"I don't think it's about cybersecurity or anything," said Grandisson."It is sexual violence. And we want to focus too on the fact that the university doesn't have the resources to give to the victims."

• University confirms 2 new emails in Moncton 'revenge porn' case

Grandissonis one of eight people on a committeeworking to create a policy on sexual violence at the university, something she said is long overdue.

"We're so late," she said."That policy should have been there six years ago. It's just that the students they were talking about it, but the administration they didn't see the need for it."

In recent years, universities across the countrystarted opening sexual assault centres on campuses, making it easier for victims to report incidents and get the help they need.

Grandissonhopes the University ofMonctoncan dosomething similar.

She believes at least one in four women on university campuses haveexperienced some form of sexual violence.

"It's happening. It's here," she said."I think it's just not reported enough."

Campuses 'battlefields' for discussions

Beth Lyons, executive director of the New Brunswick women's council, says that after an incident like thisone, the university needs to assess whether to make any institutional changes.

She saidlooking at putting in place a sexual violence policy is a good first step.

"Any place that is invested in gender equality should be looking at having policies that respond to the whole range of sexual violence," said Lyons."Which goes right fromharassmentall the way up to acts of actual violence."

"Campuses are often sort of the battlefield that a lot of these discussions take place."

Thecommittee, which is made up of Grandissonand staff members,has been meeting twice a month since January, and hopes to have services in place sometime in the fall semester.