A sexual assault happened two blocks away from Langara College and the college’s security cameras do not work, potentially putting students at risk. This is the latest of several sexual assaults in the South Vancouver neighborhood near the college.

The cameras do not work despite the fact Langara is building a new science and technology building costing 48.9 million dollars

There have been four sexual assaults in the area since January. If an assault had happened on campus, there would have been no cameras recording to identify the attacker. Victims of trauma would need to navigate a complex and unclear policy at the college to report it. The cameras were installed a year ago, meaning students have potentially been at risk for a year.

Attackers still free

The closest incident that occurred near Langara was at 48th Avenue and Manitoba Street, two blocks away, very close to the college.

A Google Maps satellite picture showing the short distance between the 48th and Manitoba assault and Langara. Google Maps claims the assault is a two-minute walk from the college.

“There have been no charges laid in the incidents” said Brian Montague of the Vancouver Police Department, on April 15th.

The attackers are still at large. The other assaults were 7 blocks away from Langara, on March 18th. 18 blocks away, on February 29.

Students safety at risk without cameras

Wendy Lannard, Langara Director of Facilities, said that the cameras were not working, in an April 21 2016 email. Scott Forbes, reporter for the Langara Voice, broke the story about the cameras in March (link).

Melanie Steel, a Langara student, said she was harassed by a male classmate in February 2012. There were no cameras at the time. In an email, it appears her classmate wrote, “I’m not your dog, you don’t talk to me like that. I’ve put guys in the ER for shit like that”. He also called her several gendered slurs for women. Steel said he attempted to talk to outside of class and stalked her, when she clearly wanted nothing to do with him.

Through email, she wrote to him, “I formally request that you cease all communication with me, direct and indirect.” She reported him to security.

Steel said he continued emailing, and they were still in the same class afterward. In total, he sent 10 emails.

Sheila Mae Barretto, a Langara student, said “When I did my first semester there last September, I stayed up late(8–9) in the library to finish my assignments. When I got out, there were lights but just for certain area, so I usually quicken my walk,”

On the lack of camera coverage, she said “Of course it worries me.”

“ We depend on the cameras because it can be helpful when a crime pops up. We have to capture the incident to guide up to prevent crime.”

“They installed the cameras in the first place, it shouldn’t be a bother for them to turn it on if in the first place they think it will work.”

“That’s pretty unacceptable,” said Sarah Bercic, another Langara student. “Fixing the cameras should be a priority.”

Asked if she was worried about her safety now, Bercic said “Yeah, I didn’t realize there were so many assaults.”

Confusing system for victims

At the same time, Langara lacks clear policy and data on sexual assault(link). A single course of action for victims is unclear. Students reporting are advised to go to 8 different places such as the Counselling Department, Health Services, Security, and sections of the Vancouver Police Department (link).

Help slowly, slowly arriving

Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver is trying to change unclear post-secondary sexual assault policies in British Columbia. This is with a private members’ bill, the Post-Secondary Sexual Violence Policies Act.

“We expect the government to bring the bill forward for debate around the 27th of April. It will likely have two weeks of debate for a vote, and should pass by the middle of May,” said Mat Wright, Press Secretary for Andrew Weaver.

Sexual assaults at post-secondary institutions has become a topic in the news due to a string of controversial assaults at the University of British Columbia (link). Ontario instituted a clear, province-wide sexual assault policy in February, which British Columbia has not yet done(link).

The bill is expected to be debated on April 27th, then expected to pass by mid-May, said Mat Wright, Press Secretary for MLA Andrew Weaver.

Rodney Porter, from the Ministry of Advanced Education, said “The provincial government is working with MLA Andrew Weaver to pass legislation that requires policies to prevent and respond to sexual violence at public post-secondary institutions as soon as possible”.