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SFU Student Speaks Out on 2014 Sexual Assault
9 Oct
Summary
- A former SFU student reported a sexual assault by a TA in 2014.
- Reporting the incident led to discouragement from campus and police.
- Inspired by Cornell case, she now advocates for better university policies.
A former Simon Fraser University student, identified as Lee, has come forward to recount a sexual assault she experienced in 2014. While a first-year student, Lee reported being assaulted by a teaching assistant during office hours. She described initial attempts to report the incident, seeking guidance from SFU's Women's Centre, but found the process daunting, with concerns about anonymity and the presence of the accused. Lee also shared that police expressed skepticism due to the lack of witnesses, framing it as a 'he said, she said' situation.
Facing declining mental health and feeling unsupported by the university, Lee transferred to a different SFU campus and ultimately withdrew in 2015. She stated that coverage of a recent high-profile case at Cornell University inspired her to share her story publicly on social media. Lee hopes her account will prompt educational institutions to implement more robust policies to protect students from such assaults.
SFU has acknowledged Lee's statement, expressing sadness and emphasizing improvements in their support systems since 2014. The university highlighted its Sexual Violence Support and Prevention Office, established in 2018, which offers confidential support to students and employees. The SFU Women's Centre has reportedly reached out to Lee, offering a formal apology for their past failure to adequately support her.
