Red Zone Campaign Recap
The Red Zone refers to the first six to eight weeks of the academic year in which students are at a heightened risk of sexual violence. You can find more information about the Red Zone on the Reclaim the Red Zone Webpage, which provides educational resources, a consent quiz, and a post card from the SVPRO.
This semester WUSA worked closely with the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO) on a campaign to better inform students about the Red Zone. This campaign included work such as the pledge wall, boothing, posters, and social media content.
The pledge wall allowed students to make pledges to a commitment that they have to make a safer campus. Some of the pledges that student wrote included the following:
- “I pledge to respect everyone”
- “I pledge to promote consent on campus! 💖”
- “I pledge to respect myself”
These pledges provide an opportunity for students to reflect upon how they impact the campus community, as well as ways to empower themselves against the red zone. In total, there were over 100 pledges made.
The boothing was completed with the support of the SVPRO which shared safe sex resources such as condoms, resources on consent, and a spinning wheel used to educate students on the importance of consent.
Posters and digital screens on campus, as well as vinyl bathroom stickers informed students about resources and education about the Red Zone.
WUSA social media was used to inform students about the importance of consent and ensuring that they were aware of the red zone. This included information about the F.R.I.E.S. acronym used to understand consent, which stands for Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific.
Just because we are now past the Red Zone does not mean that students should no longer remain vigilant. The Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO) is always available through their website or their email, svpro@uwaterloo.ca.
Rory Norris
Communications Assistant
