Rationale
Issue
Gender-based and sexual violence (GBSV) encompasses a range of violent behaviors disproportionately affecting women, gender-diverse individuals, and children. These acts include physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse. GBSV is a significant public health issue that undermines the safety and well-being of individuals and communities.
Our Research
Our Stance
WUSA advocates for comprehensive, survivor-centered policies and services to prevent gender-based sexual violence and support those affected. This includes improving access to resources, enhancing legal protections, and addressing the root causes of violence.
- Enhanced Campus Safety: Advocate for prioritization of physical and organizational safety measures to protect students from gender-based and sexual violence.
- Comprehensive Sexual Education: Development and delivery of thorough sexual education programs for students before they begin their university journey.
- Preventive Education and Training: Implementation of high-quality prevention education and training across campus, guided by best practices, to reduce the risk of gender-based and sexual violence.
- Effective Disclosure Response Training: Implementation of training for the campus community on appropriate responses to disclosures of gender-based and sexual violence.
- Accessible Resources and Support: Ensuring that students have the necessary resources, guidance, and support to prevent and respond to incidents of gender-based and sexual violence.
- Trauma-Informed Services: Support the allocation of sufficient funding and resources to provide survivor-centric, trauma-informed services for students who have experienced gender-based or sexual violence.
Read our full Gender-based and Sexual Violence stance.
Student Resources
Campaigns
Past Initiatives
- Red Zone Awareness: This campaign raised awareness about the increased risk of sexual violence at the start of the academic year, promoting consent culture and providing resources to create a safer campus environment.
- Take Back the Night: In partnership with the Women’s Centre and URelations, we sent a bus of students to Take Back the Night, empowering participants to stand against gender-based sexual violence and promote a safer community.
- Safety Walk: Campus tours of sexual violence support services on campus to educate on available supports resources, what they do, and where they can be found.
- Consent Calendar: The Consent Calendar initiative used daily prompts and art to engage students in conversations about consent, fostering awareness and proactive attitudes to minimize gender-based sexual violence.
Education
Further Reading and Resources
- Government of Canada, 2023: What is gender-based violence?
- World Health Organization, 2014: Global status report on violence prevention
- Statistics Canada, 2020: Students’ experiences of unwanted sexualized behaviours and sexual assault
- Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 2019: The Best and Worst Places to be a Woman in Canada