New provincial legislation mandates all post-secondary schools in Manitoba to develop sexual violence policies and procedures.

The Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Act took effect April 28 and applies to all public and private universities, and other degree-granting insitutions or vocational schools.

"All students deserve to feel safe while pursuing their studies," said Portage la Prairie MLA and Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart. "As a result of this new law, clear expectations are set for post-secondary institutions on creating a culture of safety and consent, training staff on how to compassionately and appropriately support victims of sexual violence, and setting policies to guide their overall planning and response."

Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Rochelle Squires said in a government release between 15 and 25 per cent of female post-secondary students experience sexual assault or attempted sexual assault during their education, and victims know their attacker 90 per cent of the time. Two responsibilities for post-secondary institutions in the legislation. Schools must take a proactive role in raising awareness and improving education about sexual violence. Also, all institutions are required to have policies and procedures in place to respond when a student reports an incident of sexual violence.

"There is a process to help with prevention and awaress which I think is very important for now and into the future," Wishart explained. "...So if there are any incidents, they're comfortable in reporting those and don't have to make the difficult choice of whether they bring forward the information or not."

The legislation also includes a definition of sexual violence, which includes harassment on social media.

"As we're all becoming increasingly aware, social media is playing an increasing role in the lives of students and younger people," Wishart noted. "And we need to make sure that type of practice is prevented as much as possible. And if it does take place, that there is some recourse."