Quebec University Students May Be Expelled Over Game Accused of Promoting Rape Culture

Quebec university students accused of promoting rape culture through a game that awarded points for completing sexual challenges may face expulsion.

The game was made up as part of last week's Les Jeux de la Communication—an inter-university event involving communications and journalism students from several francophone universities. Organizers from Gatineau's Université du Québec en Outaouais handed out a list called "Les 12 Travaux d'Hercule" (The 12 labours of Hercules), which encouraged participants to do things like kiss a girl; take a photo of someone's breasts and bra; and take part in a wet t-shirt contest.

Once the list surfaced on social media, the game was slammed by the university community as sexist.

"This is the worst example of rape culture I've ever seen. It's the most vulgar one, too," Valerie La France, head of UQO's women's committee, told the CBC.

Read more: Another BC University Under Fire for Botching Sex Assault Cases

Three UQO student leaderswho helped organize Les Jeux de la Communication have stepped down from their positions. Denis Harrison, the school's rector, said an investigation is being conducted and students involved in creating the game may be expelled. He told the CBC the game is "not appropriate" but did not go as far as to say the university has a problem with rape culture.

Les Jeux de la Communication is reportedly launching a consent-focus campaign in response to the controversy.

UQO is not the only Canadian university come under fire for fostering a rape culture. In 2013, Saint Mary's University in Halifax was criticized over a frosh week chant that included lyrics like, "Y is for your sister; U is for underage, N is for no consent; Saint Mary's boys, we like them young." A similar incident took place at the UBC's Sauder School of Business. Dalhousie University dentistry students were investigated in 2014 following the discovery of a Facebook group in which male students made sexually explicit comments about their female classmates.

A number of Canadian universities, including York University and University of British Columbia, have faced backlash over having inadequate responses to sex assault complaints.

Follow Manisha Krishnan on Twitter.