The British Columbia government is introducing new legislation that will expand sexual violence policies at public post-secondary institutions to cover employees, contractors, volunteers and board members — not just students.
The proposed sexual-violence policy act will replace the existing Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy Act and aims to close gaps in prevention and response measures across the province’s post-secondary sector. The legislation comes alongside a 12-action plan to create safer campus environments.
“Sexual violence is never acceptable, and it’s critical that post-secondary institutions and community members be equipped with the tools, resources, and training needed to prevent and respond to sexual violence effectively and compassionately,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
Expanded coverage for employees
Under current requirements, all public post-secondary institutions in B.C. must establish sexual-violence policies, provide annual reports to their boards, and review policies every three years. The proposed legislation maintains these requirements while broadening the scope.
The new act will require institutions to include faculty, employees, contractors, volunteers and board members in their sexual-violence policies. Previously, policies focused primarily on students.
New standards and transparency measures
The legislation establishes clear objectives for institutions to promote prevention, consent culture and accountability. It strengthens consultation requirements during policy reviews and mandates more detailed annual reporting, including public disclosure of these reports.
Institutions will gain express authority to share information about interim measures and case outcomes with survivors. The government will expand its regulation-making authority to ensure policies remain consistent across all B.C. public post-secondary institutions and reflect best practices.
Action plan targets Indigenous approaches and training
The Post-Secondary Sexual Violence Action Plan outlines five strategic priorities: lifting up Indigenous approaches, increasing prevention through awareness and training, improving institutional responses, enhancing data collection and reporting, and strengthening privacy protections.
Three of the 12 actions have been completed in recent months. The ministry engaged with students, faculty, staff, Indigenous partners and community organizations to inform both the legislative changes and the action plan.
National leadership on campus safety
B.C. was among the first provinces to pass legislation requiring post-secondary institutions to have sexual violence policies. Since 2017, all public institutions have maintained such policies.
The ministry has received feedback in recent years from students, staff, Indigenous partners and community organizations about opportunities to strengthen the current act’s provisions. The ministry conducted a comprehensive review of existing policies before developing the new legislation.
“These legislative changes are making a real difference in addressing sexual violence and supporting survivors across our post-secondary communities,” said Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity.
The ministry will continue its annual sexual-violence awareness campaign, with the 2025-26 launch anticipated in early 2026.
