Offensive cheers promoting underage and non-consensual sex that were sung by university students are prompting backlash, but also debate on university campuses across the country.
At the University of British Columbia, vandals defaced the Sauder School of Business sign with spray paint early Monday to read "Sauder teaches rape." Nearby, spray paint was used to write the words "F*** rape culture" across the building's windows.
Dean of the Sauder School Robert Helsley said he was upset to hear about the vandalism.
"I was very saddened to hear what had happened earlier this morning. But I understand that people are upset," he said.
The spray-painted words were removed and the RCMP is now investigating.
The vandalism occurred after reports that leaders from the Commerce Undergraduate Society led students through an offensive cheer during a frosh week orientation event.
First-year students on a school bus were reportedly encouraged to chant phrases including "Y-O-U-N-G at UBC, we like 'em young," "Y is for your sister,” "N is for no consent," and "G is for go to jail," and not to tell anyone about it.
On Monday, the dean of the Vancouver business school announced it would no longer be supporting the Commerce Undergraduate Society frosh week events.
Helsley also said the school would be putting an emphasis on respect in its curriculum, and had put together a fact-finding team to investigate the incident and possibly punish those involved.
Two members of the CUS resigned over the cheer. It is not immediately clear if the students who resigned helped to lead the chant.
Cheer sparks debate in Halifax
The UBC cheer was similar to an offensive frosh chant that got students at Saint Mary's University in hot water last week.
The cheer made national headlines after a video of it was posted to social media, and it continues to stir debate on campus.
A Saint Mary's student who has spoken out against the chant – which students say has been a tradition for years-- says she has been attacked, but also supported for taking a stand.
Alexandria Bennett tried to speak out against the cheer last year, before finally quitting as a frosh leader
This year she decided to speak out and said she's been booed and even spit on as a result. She also said she’s received support from students who share her view.
Bennett told CTV Halifax she's happy to see the incident is prompting some changes at the school this year.
"The SMU Women's Centre has talked about having what they call 'Consent Fest,' but doing a frosh version of it," she said.
Meanwhile, an editorial published in The Chronicle Herald is further fuelling the debate.
In the opinion piece, columnist Mary Bowen suggests that male teens accused of sexual assault may not be entirely to blame, with exhibitionist popular culture, provocatively-dressed young women and parents all sharing the onus as well.
Bowen's article has been slammed by critics who say it promotes victim-blaming.
Jackie Stevens, a coordinator for Halifax's Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, said she was sad to see the article published.
"What we really need to focus on is believing that sexual assault is a serious social issue in Nova Scotia that needs to be addressed," she said.
Sarah Dennis, the chair and publisher of the paper, said the piece doesn't represent the view of The Chronicle Herald and was meant to prompt discussion.
"We don't agree with Mary Bowen, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't be heard," Dennis said in a statement.
With reports from CTV BC's Jon Woodward and CTV Atlantic's Marie Adsett
