Submitted by Katie Sills and Melyssa Kerr, Managers, Student Rights & Responsibilities
Consent Awareness Week, September 18-22, is a nation-wide effort started by Courage to Act to educate Canadians on what it means to give consent. The first six weeks of school have been designated as the “Red Zone,” as there is an increase in sexual and gender-based violence at post-secondary schools. It is important that the conversation of consent goes beyond the first six weeks of school and expands into all relationships, not just intimate ones.
Over the course of this week, the Student Rights & Responsibilities Office (SRRO) provided opportunities to students to engage in these conversations. This includes attending student events with information on consent, a residence booth sharing campus and community resources, and holding a tri-campus Bringing in the Bystander training to empower our campus community to work together to prevent and address sexual and gender-based violence.
The SRRO also provides support to those who have been impacted by sexual violence by providing resources, support, and service navigation. We respond to all disclosures of sexual and gender-based violence with a consistent, trauma-informed approach, and assist in a respectful and supportive manner. We provide choices to anyone affected, including information and support, such as provision of and/or referral to counselling and medical care, information about legal options, safety planning, and appropriate interim measures such as academic accommodations and adjustments.
We encourage you to reach out to the SRRO at srro@sl.on.ca, with questions or concerns. We support students, staff, and faculty, and are available to provide training and resources on sexual and gender-based violence.
Please watch this video about consent, and more are available on the SLC website.
Campus Support
SLC Student Rights and Responsibilities Office (tri-campus)
SLC Student Wellness and Accessibility (tri-campus)
Belonging, People and Culture (tri-campus)
Canadian Organizations
Ending Violence Association of Canada
Canadian Women’s Foundation
Assaulted Women’s Hotline
Fem’aide (French only)
Courage to Act
Kingston
Sexual Assault Centre Kingston (SACKingston)
Brockville
Brockville Assault Response & Care Centre (ARCC)
Cornwall
Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and Akwesasne