TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - White Ribbon invites you to "Drawing the Line on Sexual Violence" November 29th, 7-9:30 pm at the Toronto YWCA - Elm Street. Join White Ribbon and the honourable Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of the Status of Women, to learn more about sexual violence prevention initiatives for Ontario's education sector.
>> Register here: https://whiteribbon_drawtheline.eventbrite.ca
Discover White Ribbon's Drawing the Line on Sexual Violence guide, a new resource developed in partnership with the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) to help educators integrate sexual violence prevention into classroom activities. The guide supports student learning about gender equality, respectful relationships, and sexual violence prevention in age-appropriate ways. Younger students learn about setting and respecting boundaries and getting help when things do not feel right. Older students develop the skills they need to understand and apply the concept of consent, develop equitable and healthy relationships, and intervene safely and effectively to prevent sexual violence.
>> Download the free Drawing the Line on Sexual Violence guide here: http://www.dtl.whiteribbon.ca/for-educators
Attend our Student-Educator Panel – "Draw the Line in Schools: Why and How?" – to learn more about the importance of talking about sexual violence prevention in our schools. As Ben Smith, the Catholic Board Council President of the Ontario Student Trustees' Association, argues: "We're preparing our students to be good math people and to read and write but we're also teaching them to be […] global citizens and responsible citizens and I think that we're doing a disservice to our world […] if we're not having these conversations in the singular place where every single youth without question is educated." As Rohan Robinson, a teacher at Samuel Hearne Middle School in Toronto, states: "At times, some students are more comfortable speaking to teachers about sensitive issues than they would with their parents. This is part of the reason why it is important for teachers to be equipped to have this dialogue."
Learn more about how the Draw the Line campaign can facilitate positive dialogues about sexual violence prevention. As youth leader Alex Arjoon states: "We need to start being more proactive rather than reactive. Which is why I really like the Draw the Line campaign because we're getting that conversation started and we are becoming more proactive with this."
Celebrate the first recipients of the Draw the Line Sexual Violence Prevention Awards for the education sector. These awards recognize students, educators, and other members of the community for their outstanding sexual violence prevention efforts. Kenneth Luu, a student leader at Milliken Mills High School in Markham, organizes activities that use Draw the Line resources to start conversations and increase his peers' awareness about the issue of sexual violence. He exemplifies how everyone has a role to play to prevent sexual violence, including men and boys. Micky Renders, an art teacher in the Peterborough Alternative and Continuing Education Program (PACE) at PCVS, embraces community-based art projects as a prevention tool. She encourages her students, many of whom are marginalized youth and young adults, to use art as a means of breaking the silence around trauma and sexual violence. Stephanie Keon Pinkerton, an elementary teacher at St. Andrews School in Killaloe, actively includes anti-violence components in her teaching and fosters a consent culture in her school by exploring consensus decision-making with her students. With the help of a colleague, she leads a social skills group focused on listening skills and honest communication.
"Our government is working tirelessly to build a fair, safe, and inclusive society. This vital work is made easier with the help of important allies like the recipients of this award. You are unsung heroes and I am inspired by your passion, commitment, and dedication to ending violence against women."
—Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of the Status of Women
"Sexual violence is a pervasive problem in our society. White Ribbon is proud to partner with the Government of Ontario to create tools to help everyone, in particular men and boys, speak out against it. We thank our community partners, our educators across Ontario, and our award recipients for their tireless efforts in addressing sexual violence in our province."
-- Humberto Carolo, Executive Director, White Ribbon
dtl.whiteribbon.ca/events
https://whiteribbon_drawtheline.eventbrite.ca
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.
SOURCE White Ribbon
For more information and to RSVP: Véronique Church-Duplessis 416-920-6684 x21, [email protected]
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