Nova Scotia’s NDP on Tuesday introduced a bill aimed at making university and college campuses safer by requiring all post-secondary institutions to adopt sexual assault policies.

The New Democrats say one in five women experience sexual assault while attending a post-secondary institution.

Dave Wilson, the NDP MLA for Sackville-Cobequid, introduced the bill, saying it’s something students themselves have been asking for.

“Each university and college should have very clear policies about sexual assault,” Wilson said.

These sexual assault policies should be developed with student input and reviewed on a regular basis, he said.

“This legislation allows for that information to be very public, ensures that it’s there on the first week of school for new students, but also for those students who are in the latter years of their education,” Wilson said.

The bill would also require colleges and universities to publicly report incidents of sexual violence, as well as support initiatives aimed at reducing sexual violence and harassment.

Student leaders say they’re pleased with the bill.

Pointing to the controversial rape chant at Saint Mary’s University in 2013 and the recent Dalhousie Dentistry scandal, they say sexism and violence against women is still very much alive on campuses.

“When students experience sexualized violence and harassment on campuses they are often unable to access the support services they need from their institution,” said Anika Roberts-Stahlbrand of the provincial chapter of the Canadian Federation of Students.

“This is due to the fact that there are few policies in place, or if they exist they're hard to navigate,” she said.

Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard says she’s reserving comment on the bill until she reads it through.

“Whenever we have conversations about sexual assault, whether it be in universities or any other area of our society, the conversation is always good to have,” she said.

Bernard said the government’s sexual violence strategy will be released at the end of the month.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jacqueline Foster