Metro Vancouver, B.C. - What keeps victims of sexual violence from coming forward? What responsibilities do male students and bystanders have? What more can public institutions do?
These are some of the questions two faculty members from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) will be addressing in a special three-part series hosted on Roundhouse Radio. Funded in part by the Department of Justice Canada, the community-oriented segments coincide with the department's Victims and Survivors of Crime Week. They are part of Roundhouse Radio host Minelle Mahtani's ongoing Sense of Place series, which regularly features KPU criminology faculty member Wade Deisman.
"There are more than 460,000 sexual assaults every year In Canada. Only eight per cent of sexual assaults are reported, and only two per cent actually result in a conviction with jail time,” said Deisman, citing research from colleagues at the University of Ottawa and Mount Royal University.
The three radio shows also feature KPU's Gira Bhatt, a psychology faculty member who is known widely for her extensive research on gang violence and youth involvement in gangs.
The first segment in the series aired Monday. Upcoming segments on June 1 and June 3 from 11:30 a.m. to noon will include conversations with frontline responders, students, experts, and victims and survivors of sexual assaults.
The goal of the series is to create a space for community engagement and a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding sexual violence. It also aims to increase public support for reforms that will improve the capacity of public institutions and the Canadian criminal justice system to respond to and assist victims.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has served the Metro Vancouver region since 1981, and has opened doors to success for more than 200,000 learners. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs in business, liberal arts, design, health, science and horticulture, trades and technology, and academic and career advancement. Over 19,000 students annually have a choice from over 120 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, citations and apprenticeships. Learn more at kpu.ca.
Media contact:
Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist
t: 604.599.2883
c: 604.364.1288
hayley.woodin@kpu.ca
For more KPU news:
@KPUmedia
kpu.ca/newsroom
Flickr
RSS