How recent campus controversies forced a debate about rape culture in Quebec

Quebec universities are coming under increased scrutiny over their handling of sexual assault allegations after a rash of incidents this fall have exposed what some are calling a pervasive campus rape culture in the province. 

Sparked in part by the break-ins and sexual assaults at Laval University, a protest is planned in four cities across the province on Wednesday — in Montreal, Sherbrooke, Chicoutimi and Quebec City — to denounce "rape culture and violence against women."

• Quebec City police arrest 2 students in Laval University break-ins

"Our everyday lives as women are filled with inappropriate, disrespectful and illegal behavior that is tolerated, and even encouraged by our society," the organizers said on Facebook.

"The more women speak out, the closer we will get to real equality. Putting an end to rape culture requires all of us to stop blaming the victims of gender-based violence. It requires our awareness so that the violence and the silence can end."

Widespread problem

A recent study found that sexual victimization remains a major issue at Quebec universities and is a common occurrence at social events on and off campus.

According to the study, a quarter of students experience some form of sexual victimization, including sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual coercion.

Until now, however, the controversies have tended to flare up one by one, only to then fade away.

The incidents at a Laval University dorm in Quebec City followed controversies earlier this fall at the Université de Montréal and a university in Gatineau.

• Are Concordia and McGill doing enough to deal with sexual assault allegations?

At both universities, on-campus events were criticized for promoting misogynistic attitudes and rape culture. The event in Gatineau featured a game in which students were awarded points for taking pictures of breasts and kissing "a girl."

McGill and Concordia universities have also been criticized for not doing enough to protect those who report alleged assaults.

But the Laval University assaults may represent a turning point in social awareness about the pervasiveness of inappropriate sexual behaviour.

• Woman who says she was sexually assaulted by Liberal MNA speaks out

Provincial policy in the works

It was at a Quebec City vigil for the Laval University victims that Alice Paquet first went public with her allegation that she was assaulted by a Liberal member of Quebec's National Assembly.

And amid the recent outcry, the Quebec government announced plans for a series of consultations on the issue of on-campus sexual violence.

Higher Education Minister Hélène David said that, by March 2017, the government hopes to hold meetings that will establish "common practices that will then be framed in a policy or even a law."

• Quebec announces consultations on campus sexual violence

Meanwhile, the rector of Laval University, who was criticized for being slow to act against the sexual assaults at his university, released a statement on Saturday emphasizing his support for the victims.

"We are witnessing the beginning of a larger movement" to put an end to sexual violence, he said. 

"We hope that the victims will find some comfort in this ... outpouring of compassion and collective denunciation."