By David Klassen
(Sexual consent image via EQRoy / Shutterstock)
Students from across Manitoba are gathering in Winnipeg this weekend to discuss rape culture on campus.
The Manitoba Consent Culture Forum will aim to develop a strategy to end sexual violence at colleges and universities.
According to data from the Canadian Federation of Students, one in five women studying at North American post-secondary institutions is sexually assaulted and someone known to the victim commits more than 80 percent of rapes that occur on campuses.
“Decades of inaction by post-secondary administrators has perpetuated rape culture on campuses across the country,” said Laura Garinger, women’s commissioner for the Canadian Federation of Students — Manitoba.
“While some progress has been made, there is still much work left to be done to ensure campuses are safe spaces for everyone.”
Students will be joined by accomplished activists from across the province who are working to challenge rape culture, misogyny, and gender violence.
The two-day forum runs today and Sunday at the University of Winnipeg.
