The province is implementing new requirements for colleges and universities to update their sexual violence and harassment policies to remove barriers to filing complaints.
It says the schools must make changes by the end of next March to better support student complainants — including ensuring they are not asked about their past sexual history or sexual expression.
The move comes after four women filed formal complaints of being sexually assaulted on the Western University campus in recent days, and amid social media allegations of mass assaults of drugged women at a campus residence.
Western says it has a “strong policy” in place that’s in line with the requirements set out by the government.
The school says it will require students in residence to take training sessions on sexual violence and consent.
It is also offering counselling and conducting an investigation into the various incidents that occurred during orientation week.
As a result of the incidents, Western University students are set to walk out of class today to protest the school’s handling of the allegations.
