Awareness and prevention initiatives
Prevention and public outreach are vital parts of the OSVRSE's work. We collaborate with student societies and groups, faculty, and staff to create safer spaces on our campuses. Our awareness campaigns and public education initiatives increase our collective ability to foster a consent culture, prevent sexual violence and support survivors. Our efforts are realized with the support of well established, long standing student movements and activities at our University, including Sexual Assault Awareness Week, hosted annually by the Sexual Assault Centre of the McGill Students' Society. It is only by working together that we can hope to realize a community that is better equipped to prevent and respond to sexual violence.
How can I help?
- Think about the impact of your jokes or comments. Avoid placing someone in an embarrassing or uncomfortable situation.
- Respect personal space and boundaries.
- Learn more about how substances affects the body.
- If the verbal or non-verbal reactions to your conduct appears to be negative or unwelcomed, your conduct is most likely not appreciated. Stop engaging in it immediately.
- Check-in for consent. Without an affirmative and clear YES, you do not have permission to continue. Stop engaging in the behaviour and confirm the person’s consent.
- If someone asks you to stop or tells you your behaviour is unwelcome, STOP. Read up on how to respond in a compassionate manner without getting defensive.
- Be an advocate for change in your community.
- If you are reporting on or discussing sexual violence, be aware of the language you are using. You can refer to “Use the Right Words: Media Reporting on Sexual Violence in Canada” by Femifesto + Collaborators.
- Get involved with groups or organizations that work to raise awareness about sexual violence.
- Organize an information session or workshop for your group, team, or unit!
Opportunities across campus
osvrse [at] mcgill.ca (Contact us) if your group or unit has activities or projects you would like to collaborate and for us to promote.
Rez Project
Rez Project comprises two mandatory peer-facilitated workshops (Consent Project & Race Project) in addition to workshops on the topic of mental health, disability, etc. for first-year students living in McGill Student Housing. Rez Project also has an anti-oppression resource list where students, floor fellow and staff can view videos and images and read articles to learn more about: race, gender, trans* folk, queer folk, consent and much more.
Rape Aggression Defense Course (RAD)
Hosted by McGill Security Services, RAD is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. It is a comprehensive course for women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing to the basics of hands-on training.The goal of the course is to equip women with the necessary knowledge to make an educated decision about resistance.For more information or to register, please visit McGill's Security Services Training website.
Sexual Assault Awareness Week
The student-run Sexual Assault Centre of the McGill Students' Society runs a week of workshops and events on sexual violence and its intersecting themes every year in the Winter semester.
