Student Leader SV publication

Leading To End Sexual Violence

Student Leaders for a Healthy and Safe Campus Culture

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A Call To Action

The University of Guelph is putting the call out to
student leaders to help with change our campus
culture around sexual violence.

We all have a responsibility to address, educate, and
work to prevent sexual violence on our campus for
all our students.

Challenge

We need positive culture change.

Student leaders are uniquely positioned to impact
the culture of sexual violence on our campus. All
students deserve a safe and healthy environment.
Our challenge to all our student leaders is to commit
to:

Collaboration: Work with the entire campus to
overcome barriers of sexism, misogyny, racism,
homophobia and power imbalance which frequently
are at the core of sexual violence.

Education: Participate in training and educational
opportunities to increase your sexual violence
literacy and competency.

Engagement: Effect positive culture change with
your peers, on your team, in clubs/organizations,
and across campus by getting involved.

Model: Embrace and reflect the Gryphon values as a
leader, student, and mentor.

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From The
AVP Student Affairs

Student Affairs at the University of Guelph is
committed to the wellbeing of our students and
student leaders both in and outside the
classroom. Providing a safe, inclusive, and
respectful environment for our students is critical
to our commitment to addressing sexual violence
as a campus. Without this type of environment
and commitment from our student body we
cannot achieve the goals and success we aim to
accomplish.
I challenge every student leader to be a
contributor and leads us towards positive culture
change.

Brenda Whiteside

Brenda Whiteside
Associate Vice President, Student Affairs

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What Is Sexual
Violence?

Sexual Violence Sexual Violence goes beyond what is commonly
referred to as rape or sexual assault. Think about
Means any sexual act or act targeting a person’s Sexual Violence as a continuum, where instances
sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression, have varying degrees of recognition of violence.
whether the act is physical or psychological in This continuum includes forms of violence that are
nature, that is committed, threatened or least common but most recognized as violence (i.e.
attempted against a person without the person’s stranger sexual assault) to most common, but
consent. rarely recognized forms of sexual violence (i.e.
sexism, sexual objectification).
This includes:
Sexual assault; As a student leader recognizing this continuum is
Sexual harassment; an important step in not only changing the culture
Stalking; with sexual violence but also as a role model and
Indecent exposure; bystander.
Voyeurism and;
Sexual exploitation.

(Bill 132: Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting
Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2016, S.O.
2016 C.2).

Did You Know?

Sexual assaults are much more common between
people who know each other or are already in an
on-going intimate relationship.

Sexual assaults can sometimes involve physical
violence, while sometimes they do not.

Sexual violence can happen between any
individuals of any gender, age, ability, ethnicity and
sexual orientation.

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Can I “__” Your “__”

Understanding Consent

“Consent” is the active ongoing, informed and
voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity.

Consent cannot be given by someone whose
judgment is materially impaired (such as by drugs
or alcohol), unconscious, or otherwise unable to
understand and voluntarily give consent.

Alcohol is involved in about 50% of sexual
assault, where either the perpetrator, survivor,
or both have consumed alcohol.

A person cannot consent 10 Ways to Distinguish

if they are under the Consent

influence of alcohol. 1. Consent is fundamental.
2. Consent requires communication.
Are you responsible for what you do when 3. Consent is affirmative.
you drink alcohol, yes absolutely! But are you 4. Consent is voluntary.
responsible for what other people do to you 5. Consent must be unimpaired.
when you drink alcohol, no. 6. Consent is impermanent.
7. Consent is always retractable.
Consent can never be obtained through threats, 8. Consent is autonomous.
trickery, coercion, pressure or other forms of 9. Consent is equitable.
control or intimidation and may be withdrawn at Bottom line
any time. 10. Consent is essential.

Consent may be compromised where individuals Listen for an enthusiastic “YES”!!!
are in a position of power, trust or authority over Make sure “YES” means…YES,YES,YES!
the person whose consent is required. The Keep the conversation going – Is “YES” still YES?
consumption of alcohol or drugs does not Can YES become NO? HECK YES!
provide any excuse from obtaining consent.

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BRAVE

Responding To A Disclosure of Sexual Violence

Safety #1 A. Ask them what support

Ensuring that someone who discloses feels safe is looks like to them
always the number one priority. Do they need
any medical care? If so, then referring them to How can I help? What do you need? Would
the Sexual Assault Centre at Guelph General
Hospital is the best option. If they are unsure try you like information about some resources?
asking them “what would make you feel Provide both on and off campus resources. There
safe?”. On campus resources can provide are many options available to an individual. They
support either to the individual who discloses or do not need to make any decisions immediately
to you as the support. but should be aware of what options are available.
It’s important that you do not give any advice or
Respond To A Disclosure pressure them to make a complaint. The decision
Use the BRAVE Model needs to rest with the survivor for what is best for
them.
B. Believe Them
V. Validate and Value
One of the most important things you can do as a Boundaries
supporter is believe the individual.
“I believe you” “I support you”. Tell them Validate the survivor’s experience as they have
you are here to listen. “I’m here for you if you share it. Respect and be aware of physical and
want to talk”. Avoid asking questions or prying. emotional boundaries. We cannot judge
Reaffirm that it is not their fault and that it should someone’s experience and also need to be aware
not have happened. of our own reactions and need for support.

R. Respect Confidentiality E. Empathize

Ensure that they know they don’t need to say Use listening as a way to show empathy and
anything they don’t want to but you may need to support. Let them guide the conversation but offer
reach out for support.
empathic phrases when appropriate. “I’m sorry

this happened to you” “You are not alone”

“It’s not your fault”. Keep the focus on them
and their experience.

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Get Involved

You’re already a role model. You’re admired for your leadership and dedication. You can use your leadership
and position to make a lasting difference on campus by taking a stand against sexual violence. How? Make
sure your strength of character is as well developed as your leadership skills. You know what commitment
and sacrifice mean. Apply that same discipline to your relationships by modeling respectful behavior
towards others, by speaking out when your peers are acting disrespectfully, by intervening when necessary
to prevent a situation from escalating, and by getting educated on sexual violence and how it affects
everyone involved—whether survivor, respondent, bystander, or students.

What Can You Do? Team Up to End
Sexual Violence
Bystander Training:
Participate in bystander intervention program I am aware that sexual violence can
and training that has been developed by the happen to anyone at any time.
University. Inquire about being a peer support
or trainer for this program. I believe we can end sexual violence
through education.
Sexual Violence Training:
Participate in sexual violence training offered to I will always be sure of enthusiastic
student leaders and mentors. consent before any sexual activity.

Be An Active Supporter: I am committed to being an active by-
Learn ways to be an active support and mentor stander if I see a situation that could
for your peers through leadership training lead to sexual violence.
provided by your organization or Student Life.
I am committed to learning more and
Provide Feedback: promoting a positive culture change
Work with your administrators to provide around sexual violence.
feedback on initiatives and educational efforts.
Offer to participate in assessment efforts and ______________________________
educational initiatives. Signature

Take The PLEDGE:

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Resources and
Referrals

Who To Contact

SEXUAL VIOLENCE HEALTH COUNSELLING PEER EMERGENCY OTHER
SUPPORT AND SUPPORT
RESPONSE

On Campus On Campus On Campus On Campus On Campus On Campus
Student Affairs Health Counselling Student Campus Accessibility
Case Director Services* Services* Support Community Services*
ext. 53020 ext. 52131 ext. 53244 or Network* Police ext. 56208
[email protected] walk in Raithby House ext. 2000 or
(M-F 12:30 -15:30) (M-F 12pm - 519-840-5000 Diversity &
Sexual Violence 10pm) Human Rights
Support Website www.uoguelph.ca/ Off Campus ext.53000
www.uoguelph.ca/ mentalwellbeing Guelph Police
sexualviolence Service Wellness
Off Campus 911 or Education
Good2Talk: 519-824-1212 Centre*
1-866-925-5454 ext.53327
Off Campus
Sexual Assault Care Here 24/7: Off Campus
Centre (GGH) 1-844-437-3247 Guelph
519-837-6440 Wellington
ext.2728 Women in
Crisis
519-836-1110

* For more information, current hours, and locations on services within Student Wellness please visit
their website at https://wellness.uoguelph.ca/sws/

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Your Plan of

PEERS STUDENTS

I will support my peers by: I will support all students at U of G by:
- -

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ORGANIZATION

I will support my organization by:
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Notes:

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Action

RESPONSE PREVENTION

Who is available to help What can you do to
respond to sexual help prevent sexual

violence and disclosures? violence?
____________________ __________________
____________________ __________________
____________________ __________________
_________________
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MITAGTION

How can student
leaders help mitigate

sexual violence?
__________________
__________________
__________________

Acknowledgements: This publication has been developed by the University of Guelph Student Affairs
Department in collaboration with Student Life. Special thanks to the NCAA Sexual Violence Prevention
“An Athletics Tool Kit for a Healthy and Safe Culture” publication; University of Guelph Sexual Violence
Referral and Support Training; and PACT5.

For more information on Sexual Violence please visit www.uoguelph.ca/sexualviolence

To receive this document in an alternative format please email [email protected]

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