Student outcry led to the cancellation of an event at the University of Calgary next week where some debaters planned to take a highly controversial stance on the subject of rape.

The University of Calgary Debate Society posted an advertisement for the event on Facebook earlier this month, stating its position on the topic of discussion “would hold women partially accountable for rape prevention.”

One day later, after fielding numerous comments from concerned and angry students, the posting was removed and the event cancelled.

The society’s training co-ordinator Pardeep Dhaliwal chalked the controversy up to “poor wording.”

“People do often debate things they don’t necessarily believe in,” he added.

The debate event was originally planned in conjunction with the Calgary Sexual Assault Voices, offering the alternative take on their recently released Don’t Be That Guy campaign. That initiative, which utilizes graphic advertisements to make its point, aims to take all blame off victims.

“The debate is happening out there anyway,” said Danielle Aubry with Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse, who commended the debate society on its initiative despite the fact it directly contravenes her group’s position. “They maybe could have done the flip, focused on the more positive message.”

Matt Dtelijan with the U of C Students’ Union said executive members approved the event initially but were not aware of the stance being taken by the society.

“You could say I was pretty concerned,” he said. “I think they inevitably made the right decision.”