N.S. minister ‘shocked’ by university’s handling of sexual-assault allegation

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s advanced education minister says he was “shocked” by St. Francis Xavier University’s handling of a reported case of sexual assault, saying he has asked his department to explore options to suspend students accused of sexual violence pending a legal outcome.

Labi Kousoulis told the legislature Tuesday he was “disappointed as all Nova Scotians would be” by the case and has spoken with the university’s administration.

“St. F.X. did acknowledge that they did not put the victim first,” he said, referring to a Canadian Press story about a Toronto-area woman’s experience reporting an alleged sexual assault to the university.

Kousoulis added that the Antigonish, N.S., university has apologized to the family and “refunded all of the student’s tuition, and room and board and all expenses paid for the year.”

The minister said he has also directed departmental staff to examine options to remove students accused of sexual violence from campus pending the outcome of a court process.

“Victims should feel safe coming forward,” he said. “We want to put the victim first, we want to protect them and we want them to come forward.”

The young woman has said her experience was exacerbated by St. F.X.’s mishandling of her allegations.

Although the school swiftly launched an investigation after the woman came forward and found the accused responsible, it quietly set aside its decision to suspend the alleged perpetrator for the next academic year — without notifying her — when he appealed.

The woman, whose name is under a publication ban, said she was devastated to discover him on campus last month and has since left the university.

Court documents show the man was charged criminally with sexual assault last spring. A preliminary inquiry is set for Nov. 29.