A new Kwantlen Polytechnic University study is seeking South Asian women and LGBTQ+ students to share their experiences of sexual and reproductive health care in British Columbia. Led by criminology instructor Dr. Sunny Mangat, the federally funded project aims to identify barriers to support and help shape services that better meet students' needs.
Essential Takeaways
- Who the study centres: South Asian women and South Asian LGBTQ+ students, including both domestic and international students.
- What researchers will examine: Access to reproductive health care, support after sexual violence or exploitation, and knowledge of reporting options.
- Why the research matters: The project will explore how cultural, informational and systemic barriers affect students' experiences.
- Who is involved: KPU researchers are working with community organisations, including Surrey-based Poetic Justice Foundation.
- How to express interest: Students can email [email protected] or contact Dr. Mangat at [email protected].
A study starts with a difficult question: where can students turn?
Finding sexual or reproductive health support can be daunting when you don't know which service to trust, what will happen next, or whether asking for help could bring other risks. A new study at Kwantlen Polytechnic University is looking into those concerns among South Asian students in British Columbia. (KPU)
Led by criminology instructor Dr. Sunny Mangat, the research will focus on South Asian women and LGBTQ+ students, both international and domestic. It will examine what can make it harder to find care, as well as factors that may expose students to sexual violence, exploitation and other harms. (KPU; Health Research BC)
Why KPU is looking beyond access to care
The project grew from conversations with students, service providers and community organisations that had encountered similar challenges. Researchers will explore how cultural expectations, information gaps and the way services operate can shape whether students seek help and what happens when they do. (KPU)
The work has received a $357,883 College and Community Social Innovation Fund grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Its focus includes reproductive health care, abortion and sexually transmitted infection-related services, as well as support after sexual violence or exploitation. (KPU; Health Research BC)
Reporting options and immigration concerns are part of the picture
Access to care isn't only about whether a clinic exists nearby. The study will also consider whether students understand their options for reporting harm, and whether worries such as possible deportation threats affect their decisions. (KPU)
That wider lens matters because a service can be technically available yet still feel unsafe or difficult to approach. Researchers hope the findings will help inform policies, programmes and services that better support student health and wellbeing. (KPU)
Community groups can help build trust
Community organisations will take part in outreach and engagement, including Poetic Justice Foundation, a Surrey-based group that develops workshops, events and other work addressing social inequalities and bias. (KPU; Poetic Justice Foundation)
KPU has also hosted conversations about gender-based violence within the Panjabi diaspora, reflecting a broader effort to bring community perspectives into discussions of safety and support. Building trust takes time, and working with familiar local organisations may help make those conversations easier to begin. (KPU; KPU)
Students can share their experiences
Students interested in participating can email [email protected] or contact Dr. Mangat directly at [email protected]. Taking part offers researchers a chance to hear about experiences that can otherwise remain unseen, while helping build a clearer picture of where support is falling short. (KPU)
It's a reminder that better services start by listening to the people who need them.
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