Mount Allison University has released an update on its progress with its sexual violence prevention action plan.
In November, the school appointed co-chairs for its internal Sexual Violence Prevention Working Group, one of whom was Michelle Roy, the graduating student who started the movement to demand changes in how the university handles reports of sexual assault.
This time, the update includes further details on another key element of the action plan: an Independent review of University policies and procedures.
The university chose the Canadian Centre for Legal Innovation in Sexual Assault Response (CCLISAR) to lead the review.
CCLISAR’s research director, Dalhousie law professor Elaine Craig, will be one of three people on an independent review panel, which will do the main work of the review: pouring over documents and policies, and consulting with University community members.
Those consultations will take place in February and March, according to the update, and opportunities to participate and provide feedback will be advertised.
The three person independent review panel includes two other lawyers: Toronto-based litigator Joanna Birenbaum, who recently co-authored a book on campus sexual violence policy; and Indigenous lawyer and educator Myrna McCallum, who hosts a podcast called, “The Trauma-informed Lawyer.”
After their work is complete, the panel will present their report and recommendations to yet a third group: an Expert Advisory Group, make up of the review panel members, the co-chairs of the university’s working group, two more external and independent members selected by CCLISAR, and up to five more Mount Allison community members, selected by the administration of the university.
This will all happen over a fairly short timeline: A finalized report is expected by the end of June, 2020.
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