Frequently asked questions

In Budget 2018, the Government of Canada committed $5.5 million over 5 years, starting in 2018-2019, for Women and Gender Equality Canada to work with stakeholders, including provinces and territories, to develop a framework to prevent and address gender-based violence (GBV) at post-secondary institutions (PSIs). The Framework will contribute to consistent, comprehensive and sustainable approaches to preventing and addressing GBV at PSIs.

Gender-based violence (GBV) persists in Canada. It is preventable and a significant barrier to gender equality. While largely underreported, GBV is prevalent at PSIs across Canada. Approximately 261,000 incidents of sexual assault were reported by students in 2014, representing 41% of all reported sexual assaults in the country. Despite growing efforts across the country to address GBV at PSIs, approaches are inconsistent. There is no set standard or comprehensive resource for PSIs to draw from when establishing strategies, policies, or actions.

The Framework will be designed to support PSIs when developing or updating their GBV plans and policies. The plans and policy guidelines in the Framework will provide guidance on principles, prevention, support, training, response, accountability, and reporting, in addition to other elements pertinent to GBV at PSIs.

The Department for Women and Gender Equality has entered into a contribution agreement with experts in the field who will draft the Framework with the support and guidance of an Advisory Committee. The Framework will not be finalized until wider consultations are conducted.

Any discussions regarding the withdrawal of federal funding will be considered in the context of implementation discussions. The Government of Canada intends to consult with a wide range of stakeholders before considering any withdrawal of federal funding.

Students and survivors are represented on the Advisory Committee. Additionally, during the development phase of the Framework, the drafters will conduct regional consultations. The consultations will place needs and perspectives of diverse students and survivors as a priority. The drafters have also retained student experts to assist them with framework development, drafting consultations and research.

The Framework will support PSIs to develop and implement their GBV plans and policies on campus. Implementation measures will be discussed through the Advisory Committee following the drafting of the Framework.

It is expected that the drafters of the framework will complete initial development this spring. Following initial framework development, implementation discussions will begin. Implementation may require additional supporting documents and planning. Implementation discussions will also guide Framework funding priorities.

The Framework will be designed to support PSIs in Canada including universities, colleges, cegeps, and private colleges when developing or updating their GBV plans and policies.

The goal of the Framework is to create a culture where fewer Canadian communities at PSIs experience violence and those who unfortunately experience violence are adequately supported.

It is important to hear from experts and advocates, such as academia, civil society and front-line service providers, to ensure that the Framework is informed by the experiences, needs and challenges of those who are most directly affected by GBV, including survivors, and those who work who with them. Engaging with experts and advocates will also ensure the Framework is based on evidence of what works best to prevent and address GBV.

The Advisory Committee will provide advice and feedback on the development, consultation and implementation of the Framework.

The Advisory Committee is an informed, vibrant group of individuals dedicated to preventing and addressing GBV at PSIs. The members of the Advisory Committee are experienced representatives with expertise in a variety of disciplines. They possess a broad understanding of issues related to GBV at PSIs, working from a trauma-informed intersectional feminist approach and recognizing the particular barriers faced by members of diverse groups (e.g. students, survivors, Indigenous women and girls, LGBTQ2 and gender non-conforming persons, newcomer and migrant women and girls, persons with disabilities, and other groups affected by gender-based violence at post-secondary institutions).

Members of the Advisory Committee have been selected to reflect expertise in the prevention of GBV, survivor and student support, and policy development within the post-secondary education sector.

In order to understand the particular barriers faced by diverse groups, consultations will take place with students, survivors, Indigenous women and girls, LGBTQ2 and gender non-conforming persons, newcomer and migrant women and girls, persons with disabilities, and other groups affected by gender-based violence at post-secondary institutions.

Members will be asked to agree to a term of one-year. As the Budget commitment to the Framework includes five years of funding, it is expected that the Committee or working groups coming out of the Committee will continue to advise the Department for Women and Gender Equality on framework implementation.

Possibility Seeds, led by Farrah Khan, CJ Rowe and a team of student experts, is the lead drafter of the Framework. They will consult the Advisory Committee extensively on what needs to be considered and included in the Framework, and lead consultations with a wider range of stakeholders throughout the country, before submitting a final Framework report in spring 2019.

For enquiries, please contact communications@swc-cfc.gc.ca.

There are two ways you can contribute. You can request to participate in a Listening & Learning session hosted by Possibility Seeds by emailing hello@possibilityseeds.ca. You can also provide a written submission on the Possibility Seeds website.