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.