Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Task Force on Gender-Based Violence: Success!

Just a quick note to say THANK YOU to all those who came out to the Task Force today. It was tremendously successful by all accounts.

Thank you to those who so eloquently spoke about their experiences. It was emotional, it was upsetting but most of all, it was powerful.

I know I speak for all the panelists when I say THANK YOU for your contributions and please know that all your comments will be included in our final report, to be released soon.

Once again, if you'd like to be involved with the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre, please send an e-mail to coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

In solidarity,

Julie Lalonde
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre

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Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre

Monday, November 9, 2009

Task Force on Gender-Based Violence TOMORROW

Gender-Based Violence on Campus: It's happening. You've seen it, you've heard it and you've witnessed it. So now is the time to speak up.

Join the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre, The Womyn's Centre, The Graduate Students’ Association and students across campus for this open forum.

Panelists will be making brief presentations and then the floor is open to anyone who would like to speak about their experience, the experience of someone they know or their general thoughts about the issue.

Not comfortable speaking in front of a group? Written submissions will be accepted at the forum.

The main goal is to bring the issue into the open and to get the campus community and Carleton administration to recognize that this is a problem. The end goal is a written report that will be compiled from all the statements made that day and submitted to Carleton University Administration and the media.

Your silence will not protect you.

Open Your Eyes. Listen Up. Speak Out.

Tuesday, November 10th
Starts at 11am
Atrium, UniCentre, Carleton University

>> Facebook event here <<
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Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

TASK FORCE on GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: Nov. 10 at Carleton!

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre (in conjunction with the Womyn's Centre and the Graduate Students' Association) will be hosting a Task Force on Gender-Based Violence on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009. It will take place from 11am-1pm in the University Centre Atrium at Carleton University. Be there, and spread the word!

More information will be made available in the days leading up to the task force--please check back!

Lastly, don't forget to follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AskingForIt

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Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre

Depoliticizing Sexual Assault at Carleton University (Radio!)

Hear the Coalition on the radio! Interview on CKDU 88.1 FM (Halifax) from October HERE.

More information:

CKDU News Collective
September 30, 2009

HALIFAX–Carleton University students and the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre are outraged by the latest known sexual assault on campus. Carleton University Campus Safety has released information regarding an assault that occurred near residence on September 25th, 2009 in which a woman was “struck in the face and groped by an unknown male”. Posters have been put up around campus reporting the incident. The Coalition questions why the information describes a sexual assault but labels the incident as an “assault” only.

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre was formed in 2007 after a high-profile sexual assault on campus exposed the lack of adequate support services. After a three-year campaign for increased services, students at Carleton University are still waiting for a centre, for which over 80% of students voted in favour in a 2008 referendum. The campaign reached a fever pitch this past summer when the survivor of the high-profile sexual assault filed a lawsuit against the University. In its statement of defence, Carleton argued that the woman, “failed to take appropriate or any action for her own safety”. Harsh criticism from students, alumni and advocates across the country prompted the University to settle with the plaintiff. However, a Sexual Assault Centre remains to be seen on campus and students continue to demand one.

In this episode of Operation Wake Up! News Collective Host Jane Kirby interviews Julie Lalonde of the Coalition for Carleton University Sexual Assault Centre about Carleton University’s continued failure to take issues of sexual assault seriously, as well as disturbing trends in universities’ responses to this issue and to activism on campuses across the country.


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Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Reaction to last week's sexual assault on campus

The following is the official release from Carleton University through the campus safety website, a press release from the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre and an article about the criticism Carleton is facing over this particular incident. 
OFFICIAL RELEASE FROM CU CAMPUS SAFETY WEBSITE:

Friday September 25th- Assault in Residence Quad

The Department of University Safety advises that there has been an assault on campus. Between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Friday September 25th, a female was struck in the face and groped by an unknown male. This incident occurred in the Quad area of Residence. The male is described as a white, in his 20’s, clean shaven, wearing a baseball cap. Anyone with information or who was witness to the incident is encouraged to contact University Safety at 613-520-3612.

COALITION FOR A CARLETON SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTRE PRESS RELEASE:

For Immediate Release
September 29, 2009

CARLETON STUDENTS OUTRAGED BY LATEST SEXUAL ASSAULT ON CAMPUS

OTTAWA—Carleton University students and the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre are outraged by the latest known sexual assault on campus. Carleton University Campus Safety has released information regarding an assault that occurred near residence on September 25th, 2009 in which a woman was “struck in the face and groped by an unknown male”. Posters have been put up around campus reporting the incident. The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre questions why the information describes a sexual assault but labels the incident as an “assault” only. “The information we have clearly speaks of a sexual assault and yet the University has labelled it otherwise. This isn’t an issue of semantics but of misleading information,” says Julie Lalonde, coordinator of the Coalition.

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre was formed in 2007 after a high-profile sexual assault on campus exposed the lack of adequate support services. After a three-year campaign for increased services, students at Carleton University are still waiting for a centre, for which over 80% of students voted in favour in a 2008 referendum. The campaign reached a fever pitch this past summer when the survivor of the high-profile sexual assault filed a lawsuit against the University. In its statement of defence, Carleton argued that the woman, "failed to take appropriate or any action for her own safety". Harsh criticism from students, alumni and advocates across the country prompted the University to settle with the plaintiff. However, a Sexual Assault Centre remains to be seen on campus and students continue to demand one.

“This latest assault is further evidence that sexual assault and sexual violence, particularly against women, continues to happen at Carleton and that what the University has done is not working,” adds Lalonde. “The official acknowledgement of sexual assault remains taboo on campus and the use of the term ‘assault’ rather than ‘sexual assault’ demonstrates this. The labelling of incidences on campus is shrouded in politics. Unfortunately, we have a long way to go at Carleton.”

Link to CBC article: Carleton faces criticism after campus attack

Please continue to stand up and demand better from Carleton. What they have done and continue to do is clearly not working. Where is our sexual assault centre? Where is our public accountability from administration?

Monday, August 17, 2009

TODAY - Demonstration against CU's stated position on sexual assault

Last call for today's demonstration at CU.

The demo begins at 2:30pm in the atrium of the UniCentre. We will be making signs, getting organized and then heading to President Runte's office to drop off petitions and letters of opposition.

We will then be marching to the CU entrance for the most important part of our demo: A rally at the Bronson/Sunnyside entrance from 4-6pm. We need as many people to attend the rally in opposition to Carleton's stated position on sexual assault and sexual assault services.

If you can only attend for a portion of the demo, the rally from 4-6pm is crucial.

Bring your signs, noise makers and spirit and help us bring accountability to CU! We're asking for it!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Tomorrow afternoon, demand accountability!

This is a reminder that tomorrow, August 17th starting at 2:30pm there will be a demo on campus to speak out against Carleton University's stance on sexual assault.

Although CU has settled their lawsuit with Jane Doe,

1- Carleton University has not retracted or addressed their statements from the legal defense which stated that the "victim failed to prevent the assault" and that the injuries she "claims" to have sustained are "exaggerated, excessive and due to a pre-existing medical condition"

2- Carleton University's administration has explictly stated that they will not support or allow the creation of a student-run, university funded sexual assault centre, even though 75% of undergraduate students and over 80% of graduate students have voted for one.

3- All initiatives presented by CU in their mass e-mail regarding sexual assault were pushed for and demanded by students. CU is not voluntarily making any changes. Sexual assault remains taboo on campus.

Do not allow CU to speak for you. If you support improved services on campus and want to continue to see the issue of sexual assault on the table at CU, we need you out tomorrow. Carleton has demonstrated that they respond to bad press and public pressure. Let's use this.

Write President Runte at presidents_office@carleton.ca

And meet us tomorrow at 2:30pm in the University Centre atrium. If you only have an hour or so to spare, then come out at 4pm to the rally on Bronson/Sunnyside. We need CU to understand that their views are not held by many.

Accountability: We're Asking For It!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Update on Monday's demonstration

Carleton University is being sued by the woman who was brutally sexually assaulted in 2007. In response, the university states that the victim's injuries were "caused or contributed to by the Plaintiff through her own negligence... she was not keeping a proper lookout for her own safety."

We urge all community members who believe in women's rights to email your thoughts to:


The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Support Centre is launching a campaign in response: "Accountability, safety, respect, dignity: We're Asking For It!" We are organizing an emergency rally for next Monday, Aug. 17th:

A demonstration, organized by Carleton Students and members of the Ottawa community, is being held to bring attention to Carleton's stance on sexual assault. Student demonstrators will meet at at 2:30pm in the atrium of the University Centre and will head to the CU's administration offices at 3:00pm to present petitions and opposition letters. We will then march to the Bronson/Sunnyside entrance where we will be joined by members of the larger community for a rally from 4:30-6:00pm.

For more information and to get involved, contact coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Monday, August 10, 2009

Official Court Document

Official court document outlining the positions of both sides (Posted by the Ottawa Citizen)

More in the news

Carleton lawsuit raises issues of responsibility (National Post)

Sex attack victim sues Carleton U: Student association says don't blame the victim (Ottawa Sun)

Demonstration planned for Monday, 17 August 2009

From the Facebook Event page:

"A demonstration, organized by Carleton Students and members of the Ottawa community, is being held to bring attention to Carleton's stance on sexual assault.

The demonstration will begin at 2:30pm in the atrium of the University Centre. Demonstrators will march to the CU's administration offices to present petitions and opposition letters.

A march will ensue to the Bronson/Sunnyside entrance for a rally."

Accountability, safety, respect, dignity: We're Asking For It! Spread the word!

Upcoming interviews regarding Carleton's response

Upcoming interviews regarding Carleton's response to the sexual assault:

  • Tuesday morning (August 11) at 8:35am on Take 5, a a weekday morning current affairs program airing on CIUT 89.5 FM in Toronto.
  • Wednesday morning (August 12) from 6:00 to 7:00am on CKCU 93.1 FM in Ottawa.

In the news

Sex-assault victim sues Carleton: Woman claims security was inadequate; university says she didn't do enough to protect herself (Ottawa Citizen)

Carleton Students Urge University to Stop Blaming Victim

Carleton defence statement ‘victim blaming’, student leaders say (Ottawa Citizen)

Carleton University's views on sexual assault do NOT represent me!

(From the original Facebook group, Carleton University's Views on Sexual Assault Do Not Represent Me)

We must organize, mobilize and act against Carleton University's latest statements regarding sexual assault in general and a 2007 sexual assault in particular.

Background Info: Official court document outlining the positions of both sides (http://www.ottawacitizen.com/pdf/document.pdf)

Unlike Carleton University, we believe that:


  • sexual assault victims are not responsible for their assault;
  • Carleton University was not (in 2007) and is not currently a space free from sexual assault;
  • the majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim and that Carleton's latest comments only further the myth that self-defense classes and pepper spray will prevent all assaults;
  • a dedicated Sexual Assault Support Centre should be created and sustained on Carleton University's campus;

and that

  • the victim of the high-profile 2007 sexual assault in question should be awarded the full amount requested.

We are students, ex-students, graduates, professors, academics, executive directors, public servants, support workers and allies from all different spectrums who support victims and survivors of violence and are disgusted by Carleton University's position.

This is not about this particular incident or about the lawsuit. This is about Carleton University's stated position on sexual assault and overall student safety.

Carleton University does NOT represent me.