On Oct. 27 2015, the Government of Ontario proposed the Sexual Violence and Harassment Plan Act (SVHPA). The legislation is designed to fulfil commitments that the Ontario Liberals have made through their “It’s Never Okay” action plan.
If the Sexual Violence and Harassment Plan Act is passed through the political gauntlet, the piece of legislation would affect a variety of institutional policies surrounding sexual assault and the way it is treated in a legal sense.
“The Ontario government is currently supporting its proposed policies through actions including increased and stabilized funding to community-based sexual assault centres and hospital-based assault and violence treatment centres,” according to a news release from the Office of the Premier.
Furthermore, the government has also been promoting a campaign called #WhoWillYouHelp as part of their aforementioned action plan.
The #WhoWillYouHelp campaign features a series of videos showcasing scenarios that are set up with a male antagonist on the verge of assaulting or violating a woman in some way. The antagonist then turns to the audience and thanks them for not interfering. The campaign plays off of the general public’s’ ethics to encourage a shift in attitudes and behaviour that may lead to dangerous situations.
The proposed changes to policy within the SVHPA include: forming a stand-alone, student reviewed sexual violence policy at every public and private college and university, increasing the duties and responsibilities placed on employers to look into incidents and complaints that could be sexual in nature, removing the limitation period for survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence to apply for compensation to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, and shortening the time it takes to end a tenancy for people experiencing potentially harmful, or abusive, situations.
A news release regarding the SVHPA from Oct. 27, 2015 included statements from Tracy MacCharles, the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues, and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.
“We are committed to creating a province where all Ontarians feel secure from the threat of sexual violence and harassment,” explained MacCharles, in reference to the SVPHA. “This legislation, if passed, would give survivors the supports they need while keeping our campuses, workplaces and communities safe.”
According to the news release, as part of the “It’s Never Okay” campaign, the Ontario government “recently revealed a $2.25 million fund to invite artists to use their creative expression to challenge rape culture.”
This program calls for budding and established artists to apply now through the Ontario Arts Council – the body that decides where the Creative Engagement Fund will be used.
Ontario’s #WhoWillYouHelp campaign has reached an estimated 83 million people worldwide as of today.