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Across Alberta, untold stories of pain, fear, and injustice persist on our campuses. These are the stories of students whose lives have been deeply affected by sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). For years, students in Alberta have been advocating for help. At the request of students, the recent provincewide survey conducted by the Ministry of Advanced Education confirmed that half of Alberta’s post-secondary students have faced forms of SGBV. These are not just numbers; these are the lives of our friends, classmates, and loved ones.
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My role at Students for Consent Culture Canada (SFCC) was inspired by my work at the University of Alberta Students’ Union last year. At just 21 years old, I found myself frequently receiving disclosures from my peers. This experience made it obvious that our institution was not equipped to address these issues and support survivors. Talia Dixon, the vice-president of student life before me, rightfully pointed out that there are significant gaps in how SGBV is addressed on campuses.
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Complaints from students about the mishandling of cases, lack of education, and inadequate support have been alarmingly common. It’s not a matter of survivors choosing not to report, but rather why they find it challenging to do so. The existing system is one they cannot trust. So is it any surprise when students seek out other students for help, or worse, don’t know who to turn to at all?
It’s not just about the heartbreaking statistics; it’s about the many lives that have been altered. Survivors continue to carry the weight of their experiences with them, often in silence, fearing judgment and blame. I find it deeply wrong that, since the release of the survey, the Ministry of Advanced Education has avoided responsibility for students’ well-being and displayed less courage than the students who end up carrying the burden. Because it’s students who pay when our institutions fall short. It is a big mistake to believe that our colleges and universities alone can resolve an issue of this magnitude.
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Minister Rajan Sawhney, the Ministry of Advanced Education and the provincial government need to step up and recognize their duty to protect and support Alberta’s students. Anything less is a betrayal to the students who trust institutions with their education and safety.
Student leaders’ calls for help have been consistent for years. We need guaranteed consistent and lasting financing support for post-secondary institution sexual-assault services and community sexual assault centres. We must ensure students’ issues and rights are a priority when allocating funds from the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence, in addition to the creation of a Government of Alberta working group to provide recommendations based on the survey’s findings.
The Ministry of Advanced Education promised to commit significant new funding once the report became available. The government needs to honour their promise. We’ve done a lot of work with our universities and achieved some steps forward but the problem remains bigger than ever, and much bigger than what most institutions can cobble together. This is not just an institutional issue; it’s a provincewide problem.
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We need mandatory courses about consent and sexual violence for all students, instructors, and staff. We need plain-language guides and French guides that empower students by providing them with a full understanding of their options, enabling them to make informed decisions when deciding how to move forward. Students should never feel pressured to report as the sole option; whether a disclosure leads to a report or support options, survivors must trust that they will receive the unwavering support they deserve.
To the survivors, your stories matter, your pain matters, and your courage matters. You are not alone, and we stand with you. To the government and institutions, the time for action is now. Do not let the voices of our students go unheard any longer. The well-being of our young people and students are at stake, and we must act decisively and urgently to protect them. We must come together as a community and as a province to prevent sexual and gender-based violence. It’s time for change, and it’s time to ensure that no student has to carry the weight of this trauma alone.
Joannie Fogue serves as the advocacy lead at Students for Consent Culture Canada (SFCC). She was the vice-president of Student Life at the University of Alberta Students’ Union in the 2022-2023 academic year.
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