“Well-intentioned in some of the most dangerous ways”: Examining Bill-132 and the subsequent formation of Ontarian university sexual assault policies

The purpose of this critical feminist review is to discuss the enactment of Bill 132 The Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act which was passed in March 2016 by the Government of Ontario. First, this paper will provide a general overview of the sociopolitical context surrounding the development of an action plan to address sexual assault on Ontario university campuses. Second, this discussion will outline the central tenets of Schedule 3 of Bill 132, including its scope, intentions, and goals. Last, Schedule 3 will be critically examined to demonstrate how its limitations have maintained adverse outcomes for students attending post-secondary institutions in Ontario. Namely, Schedule 3 of Bill 132 will be critiqued through exploration of the following themes: (1) the lack of universality and standardization of sexual assault policies on post-secondary campuses, (2) the institutionalization of responses to sexual violence, and (3) the exclusion and silencing of student voices in forming policy responses to sexual violence. Examples from existing sexual violence policies will be included to ground this discussion. This review will conclude with a brief consideration of the implications of these critiques on the development and enactment of sexual assault policies in Ontario