Laurier to host programming during 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Nov. 21, 2022

Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to fostering a university culture where gender-based and sexual violence is not tolerated, and survivors are believed and supported with compassion, dignity and respect.

From Nov. 25 until Dec. 10, Laurier will host programming in support of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign that calls for action against harmful acts directed at individuals based on their gender and challenges gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms. Gender-based violence disproportionately impacts women, girls, Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people, but men can also be impacted.

Laurier will fly the Canadian flag at half-mast on Dec. 6 to honour the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

"16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an opportunity for us to come together to mourn, to amplify the voices and experiences of those most impacted and to commit to eradicating gender-based violence,” says Sarah Scanlon, associate director: sexual violence response at Laurier. “We have a collective responsibility to create a safer, more ethical and accountable world than we were raised in."

Events are organized by Laurier’s Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support team and are open to faculty, staff and students at no charge. Advanced registration is required for some events.

Healing from Cultural Betrayal and Sexual Trauma Through Institutional Courage

Public lecture, Nov. 22, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Zoom. Register.

Join Jennifer M. Gómez, assistant professor at the Boston University School of Social Work, for a discussion on how harm and violence perpetrated and experienced by racialized individuals creates cultural betrayal. Gómez will also highlight findings from her research on cultural betrayal trauma theory, which includes modes of harm and healing for Black women survivors.

This lecture is part of the We Deserve Healing Not Harm speaker series organized by Consent Comes First at Toronto Metropolitan University, Consent is Golden at Wilfrid Laurier University and the Sexual Assault Support Centre at Carleton University.

#ConsentMatters T-Shirt Campaign

Social media campaign, Nov. 25. Open to all Laurier community members.

On Nov. 25, Laurier will join the University of Waterloo, Conestoga College and the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region in the second annual online #ConsentMatters T-shirt campaign. The #ConsentMatters campaign aims to bring attention to instances of sexual violence on campus and in the community.

Campaign supporters are invited to post a picture of themselves wearing their #ConsentMatters T-shirts, sold earlier this month, or something purple on social media with a message of support. Tag @Laurier, @consentisgolden and use the hashtags #ConsentMatters, #Purple4Prevention or #16DaysofActivism.

Taking Care of You: Self Care for Survivors

Student workshop, Nov. 28, 3 to 5 p.m., Zoom. Register.

Facilitated by staff from the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, this workshop addresses the ways trauma can impact the mind and body and provides survivors with physical and emotional self-care strategies.

Unpacking Sexual Violence Through an Anti-Racist Framework

Student workshop, Dec. 1, noon to 1:30 p.m., Zoom. Register. 

Survivors need support, but often those who are marginalized by systems of violence are denied the understanding and care they deserve. Led by the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management, this workshop will address anti-violence and the intersections of Black, Indigenous and people of colour from marginalized gender groups. This workshop is part of the Sexual Violence Response Certificate series and can be included in students’ Laurier Experience Record.

Campus Art Jams

Brantford: Dec. 1, 2 to 5 p.m., Research and Academic Centre West; Waterloo: Dec. 2, 1 to 4 p.m., Concourse

Faculty, staff and students are invited to show their support for survivors through art-jam activities, including screen printing, painting, writing notes to survivors, and creating a collaborative tablecloth.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Instagram takeover, Dec. 6

Tune into Laurier’s Instagram account for a takeover hosted by Laurier’s Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support team. The takeover will discuss activism against gender-based and sexual violence and how to support survivors. Additional content contributors include Laurier’s Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Laurier’s Student Wellness Centres, the Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group, the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant, and the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.

Self-Care as an Act of Resistance: Drop-in Care Space for Survivors and Supporters

Brantford: Dec. 8, 1 to 4 p.m., Student Centre; Waterloo: Dec. 9, 1 to 4 p.m., Concourse

Self-care is critical to well-being. Survivors and those acting in solidarity are invited to a drop-in care space to enjoy community, create art, eat snacks and simply exhale. Self-care kits will be available at no cost.

For more information about events and activities planned during 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, visit Consent is Golden on Instagram or Facebook or contact Laurier’s sexual violence response staff at svinfo@wlu.ca.