Sexual Violence Prevention Month 2022

Story submitted by Katie Sills, Manager, Student Rights and Responsibilities

May is Sexual Violence Prevention Month. Sexual assault centres have spent time and energy into bringing awareness to sexual violence for decades. This month the Ontario Coalition of Rape and Crisis Centres (OCRCC) is highlighting the work of using this awareness to further practice violence prevention, using a Survivors First approach. The OCRCC says it takes a community to end sexual violence – this work cannot be done alone and there is room for everyone to get involved. 

Five things to know about sexual violence prevention at SLC:

1. The Student Rights and Responsibilities Office (SRRO) provides a safe space for anyone who has experienced sexual violence to learn about supports available and discuss options. You can find information about reporting options, and College and community supports at stlawrencecollege.ca/srro
2. The SRRO hosts Bringing in the Bystander Training for students throughout the academic year. Bringing in the Bystander is an interactive two-hour workshop that teaches students about sexual violence, how to intervene, and how to support survivors and seek assistance. We look at real-life scenarios and use skill building activities to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to safely interrupt sexual violence when it is occurring or there is potential for violence to occur. We hope to create a community that can prevent sexual violence, respond when they see violence happening, and seek support on campus and in the community. This training is available throughout the year to students. Contact SRRO for more information.
3. St. Lawrence College’s Sexual Violence and Harassment Prevention Task Force is a cross-functional group of staff, faculty, and students who work on initiatives, programs, policies, and resources to support survivors of sexual violence and to promote a positive campus culture with no tolerance for sexual violence.
4. St. Lawrence College produces a Sexual Violence Prevention Annual Report. You can find the 2020-2021 report on the SRRO webpage. An updated 2021-2022 report will be released later this year.
5. Want to learn more? Attend the LCC session: Review of SLC’s Sexual Violence & Harassment Task Force and Thinking About What’s Next on May 30 at 11:30am