UBC Okanagan ordered to pay $50,000 for handling of sexual assault

The University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) has been ordered to pay a former student thousands of dollars for the way it handled her allegation of sexual assault by another student.

The BC Human Rights Tribunal says the school must pay the complainant $50,000 in compensation, nearly $7,000 in lost wages, and about $8,000 in expenses.

The events in question took place between 2016 and 2017, according to the tribunal’s Reasons for Decision.

After bringing her complaint to her adviser, saying she wanted to press charges against the individual alleged to have committed the assault, she was then referred to UBCO’s process for investigating allegations of academic misconduct, known as the NAM process.

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The tribunal says that during this period, UBC was in the process of reviewing and revising its response to sexual violence on campus.

“(UBC) knew that many felt the NAM process was ill-suited for allegations of sexual violence and was inconsistent with the University’s commitment to supporting survivors in a trauma-informed process,” the decision says.

“UBCO attempted to address some of those concerns within the confines of the NAM process, but ultimately took the position that there was nothing further it could do to address this student’s concerns.”

The tribunal says the university’s method of investigating non-academic misconduct exacerbated the complainant’s post-traumatic stress disorder and caused her harm to the point she couldn’t participate in the process.

The UBCO says it has made significant changes to its policies and procedures since the accusation was made and is reviewing the tribunal’s ruling.