Believing Survivors and Strengthening Campus Safety

To anyone who has experienced sexual assault: we believe you, it is not your fault, and you deserve support. A person should be able to seek care, safety measures and information about their options without being pressured to make a formal complaint. At USask, Student Affairs and Outreach can help students connect with support, consider accommodations and understand available pathways.

Recent public attention to the case often called the “Cornell 7”—allegations involving seven current and former fraternity members named in a former student’s civil lawsuit—has raised difficult questions about student safety and institutional responses. Those allegations and the handling of the case remain under scrutiny. The GSA does not make findings about the individuals involved. We can, however, learn from the questions students are asking: Will someone who discloses be heard? Will they know what support is available? Are processes understandable, timely and attentive to safety? Cornell’s Student Assembly has raised similar questions about transparency and support.

The GSA is actively looking for ways to improve safety for graduate students at USask and to bring further steps to senior university leadership. Practical areas for discussion include clearer information about confidential support and reporting options, how students request academic or workplace accommodations, what interim safety measures are available, and how students are kept informed as a process unfolds. We also want graduate student input—particularly from those whose research, teaching or travel keeps them on campus outside regular hours.

Believing and supporting a person who discloses is a commitment to care. Fair, well-explained processes matter as well. Students can read USask’s guidance on seeking help after sexual violence, including options that do not depend on making a formal complaint.