New legislation was introduced on Wednesday aimed at strengthening policies in post-secondary schools against sexual violence.

Last week NDP MLA Wab Kinew proposed similar legislation but it was voted down by Conservative MLAs

The new legislation would require all universities, colleges, the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, degree-granting institutions and private vocational institutions to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to prevent and respond to sexual violence on campus.

The bill would also include a definition of sexual violence and extends its scope to harassment via social media.

“It is clear that we need to address the emerging issue of sexual violence via social media to ensure the safety of all students,” said Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Rochelle Squires.  “The inclusion of social media within the scope of the policies to be created and enforced by post-secondary institutions is incredibly important given the growing incidence of online harassment.”

Under the proposed new bill, all post-secondary institutions would be required to develop and adopt an appropriate sexual violence policy including both public and private institutions.  This would ensure that wherever students choose to study in Manitoba, they will be protected by a policy that prevents and responds to sexual violence.

-News4 Staff-