The safety of our students and employees is critical to our environment at VIU. We are committed to creating a space where all are welcome and all feel like they belong.
As some of you may know, a VIU student was assaulted last weekend at a private residence. VIU and the Nanaimo RCMP are taking this very seriously and are committed to working together in the investigation. As of Sunday morning, VIU has been in contact with the student and family and is offering ongoing support. The student is recovering with the support of their family at home. The RCMP is actively investigating and treating this assault as a hate crime. If you have any information that could help in the investigation, please reach out directly to the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345, referencing file #2022-10317, or email conduct@viu.ca and we will provide that information to them.
To ensure student privacy and confidentiality, I can only share limited information; however, I understand that knowledge of this incident is circulating in the community and I wanted to address it directly. This horrific incident goes against everything VIU stands for, and I know many in our community are upset by what has happened. I would like to remind you of the supports available to you and I encourage you to reach out if you need to. If you are a student, please contact VIU Counselling or Here2Talk; if you are an employee, please contact Homewood Health.
VIU stands for equity and inclusion. I reiterate that any student or employee found to be involved in incidents of racism or discrimination will be subject to the full extent of our policies and procedures. I know there are many allies on this campus and I encourage you to reach out and check in with one another. On Thursday, March 31, I encourage members of the VIU community to join me at the Transgender Day of Visibility event led by the Positive Space Alliance and VIU Faculty Association Status of Women Committee. The event starts at the Malaspina Theatre at 11 am.
Sincerely,
Irlanda Gonzalez Price, Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs
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