Provincial Draw-the-Line Sexual Violence Prevention Awards 2017-2018
TORONTO, June 21, 2018 /CNW/ - White Ribbon is delighted to announce the recipients for the provincial Draw-the-Line Sexual Violence Prevent Awards for 2017-2018. The awards recognize the outstanding prevention efforts of members of Ontario's education sector from the elementary to the post-secondary levels.
One in three Canadian women will experience some form of sexual assault in her lifetime. One in five women experiences sexual assault while attending a post-secondary institution. Girls and young women in our communities are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual violence than boys and young men and than adult women. Indigenous women, women of colour, queer and trans women, and women with disabilities are even more likely to experience sexual violence.
With the support of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Status of Women, White Ribbon is working with students and educators across the province to empower them to play a positive role to prevent sexual violence in their community. The Draw-the-Line Sexual Violence Prevention Awards recipients engendered positive change in their communities by raising awareness, promoting allyship, and educating their peers about bystander intervention with the aim of preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors.
The elementary and secondary award recipients are:
Emily Guitar - Student, Etobicoke School of the Arts (Toronto)
To educate her school community about rape culture and sexual violence, Emily organized and directed "My Being". The first edition of the multi-arts show, which took place June 1st, 2018, helped survivors and allies to break the culture of silence that often surrounds sexual violence and raise awareness about what can be done to end this form of violence. The show featured works and performances by 30 students and was attended by more than 120 students, educators, and parents. Emily is committed to bringing back 'My Being" for a second edition next year.
Tejaswini Chauhan, Winter Goddard, Anastasia Gontzias, Gentijana Sejdiu, and Angela Simic - Students, Roseville Public School (Windsor)
Tejaswini, Winter, Anastasia, Gentijana, and Angela organized a forum on sexual violence prevention for 130 Grade 7-8 students from three schools in Windsor. Community partners and students organizers delivered workshops on consent, allyship, bystander intervention, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. To multiply the positive impact of the forum on their community, the organizers gave the participants the opportunity to reflect and discuss how they would share what they had learned with their friends and their families.
Sarah Bahreinian, Isabelle Strang, and the Women's Empowerment Club - Students, Bloor Collegiate Institute (Toronto)
Sarah, Isabelle, and the members of the Women's Empowerment Club planned an entire week of activities to inspire their community to take an active stance against gender-based violence. They organized a procession to commemorate the December 6th Montreal Massacre, hosted a discussion circle, a poetry jam, a screening or Mandi Gray's "Slut or Nut", and a self-defense workshop. Their efforts helped students and teachers, including male allies, to think about their roles to challenge rape culture and prevent sexual violence.
The post-secondary award recipients are:
Sarah Crawford - Sexual Violence Prevention and Harm Reduction Coordinator, Algonquin College
Sarah initiated Project Lighthouse at Algonquin College which aims to shine a light on the topic of sexual violence and help students navigate healthy sexual relationships. She is using sex-positive education and awareness to appeal to the needs of a diverse student audience. Through social media, large-scale events, art projects, and innovative talks, Sarah managed to reach out to the majority of students across Algonquin College's three campuses.
Jen Gordon – Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator, Nipissing University
Jen was the first Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator for Nipissing University from 2015 to 2017. She and the team of professionals within Student Development and Services utilized the Draw-the-Line materials in public education campaigns. Jen's work included student workshops, training student leaders in bystander intervention and responding to disclosures, and providing direct support to survivors on campus. In the fall of 2017, Jen hosted Draw-the-Line staff to the Nipissing University campus who worked with Lakers Varsity Athletes, provided education to students in Residence Life.
White Ribbon is the world's largest movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls and to promote gender equity, healthy relationships, and a new vision of masculinity. Starting in 1991, White Ribbon asked men to wear white ribbons as a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.
www.whiteribbon.ca
SOURCE White Ribbon Campaign
Véronique Church-Duplessis 416-920-6684 x21, [email protected], dtl.whiteribbon.ca/awards
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