Review into sexualized violence at King’s releases interim report

An interim report commissioned after sexual assault charges were laid against a former University of King's College professor is making several recommendations aimed at addressing “challenges” at the school. 

The independent review by Rubin Thomlinson LLP was ordered by the university after the charges were brought against retired professor Wayne Hankey in Feb. 2021.

Hankey died in February of this year, just a month before his first trial was set to begin. 

In its interim report, Rublin Thomlinson outlined what was found when speaking to members of the King's community, including hearing from students about a culture of silence and a fear of reporting incidents of sexual misconduct. 

“Many participants told us that they perceived a 'culture of silence' at King's regarding sexualized violence,” the report reads. “Several specifically tied this feeling to the historical allegations against Dr. Hankey, but others spoke more generally.”

The interim report makes several recommendations to the university, including that it enhance training on sexualized violence and the school's policies surrounding it for students during orientation week, and look into applying the same training during onboarding for new staff and faculty. 

It also suggests the school create a “checklist” to ensure consistency in the response to incidents of sexualized violence.

The university issued a statement on Tuesday, saying it “unequivocally” accepts all of the report's recommendations, adding it will be developing a comprehensive action plan for implementing the changes. 

“The information shared with Rubin Thomlinson shows that many members of our community have experienced sexualized violence or vulnerability to sexualized violence without having the protection and support they should have been provided,” the statement from King's said. “To all of these members of our community, we are sorry.”

King's added its action plan will be posted to the university's website once complete.