Laurier hosts Consent Awareness Week events for students

Sept. 19, 2023

Wilfrid Laurier University will host educational events during Consent Awareness Week, which takes place between Sept. 18 and 22, at Laurier’s Brantford and Waterloo campuses.

Consent Awareness Week aims to raise awareness among students about the role that consent plays in the development of healthy relationships and in reducing sexual violence. Laurier is committed to fostering a culture of consent.

The following events are free and open to all Laurier students.

Bystander Intervention Workshop  

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 3 to 4:30 p.m. (virtual workshop)

This workshop on bystander intervention will explore the ways that encounters with harm can occur and how bystanders can respond to them. The workshop is a part of the Sexual Violence Response Certificate, which consists of nine workshops running from September 2023 to March 2024. All are welcome to attend any of the workshops by registering online. Students who attend six of the nine workshops will receive a Sexual Violence Response Certificate through their Laurier Experience Record.  

WEN-DO — Women’s Self-Defence

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 19

During this in-person four-part workshop presented by Wen-Do Women’s Self-Defence — a registered charity and Canada’s oldest women’s self-defence organization — participants will learn simple, powerful self-defence skills, explore a range of verbal self-defence strategies, and develop the ability to recognize and deal with threatening situations. In addition, participants will increase their confidence while building community and having fun. The workshop is free of charge for Laurier women (cis, trans) and gender nonbinary individuals. 

The workshop includes four sessions that run from 4 to 8 p.m. starting Sept. 19 and continuing Sept. 27, Sept. 28 and Oct. 3. The location will be provided via a follow-up email. Register online or contact svinfo@wlu.ca for more information. 

Banging Brunch with Sarah Crawford!

Wednesday, Sept. 20, Waterloo, The Turret, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Brantford, RCW lobby, 4 to 6 p.m.

Sarah Crawford, sexual violence prevention and harm reduction coordinator at Algonquin College, will discuss consent, sex and human anatomy during a brunch hosted at the Brantford and Waterloo campuses by the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union.

We Believe Survivors Day — Solidarity Art Jam and Resource Fair

Brantford, Wednesday, Sept. 20, noon to 4 p.m., RCW lobby

Waterloo, Thursday, Sept 21, noon to 4 p.m., The Quad

Launched in 2015 by Alberta Sexual Assault Services, We Believe You Day creates space to remind those who have been impacted by gendered and sexual violence that they deserve to be believed. On Sept. 20 in Brantford and Sept. 21 in Waterloo, participants can explore conversations, art projects and resources in solidarity with survivors during Laurier’s We Believe Survivors Day. No registration is required. 

Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Supports 

Below is a list of key contact information for those who require support related to gendered and sexual violence:

Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support

Email: svinfo@wlu.ca

24-Hour sexual assault crisis and support lines

Waterloo: 519.741.8633

Brantford: 519.751.3471

Emergency: 911

Special Constable Service

Waterloo: 519.885.3333 (external) or x3333 (on-campus)

Brantford: 519.770.3778 (external) or x3333 (on-campus)

Employee and Family Assistance Program (confidential support available to Laurier employees and their dependents)

Phone: 1.800.663.1142

Crisis support and referrals 

Here 24/7 service — 1.844.437.3247 

Telephone counselling and referrals 

Good2Talk — 1.866.925.5454  

Support service for male survivors of sexual assault

24/7 phone: 1.888.887.0015

LGBTQ Youth Line

Sunday to Friday, 4 to 9:30 p.m. Toll-free: 1.800.268.9688, text: 647.694.4275

Trans Lifeline (hotline for transgender people staffed by transgender people)

Phone: 1.877.330.6366