This semester's biannual Sexual Violence Awareness Week is centred on the theme of 'shifting together', which speaks to us for a myriad of reasons.
While we all have an individual role to play in creating communities free of sexual violence -- which often begins by taking time to self-reflect on the attitudes and beliefs we hold that allow it to continue -- there is so much power in community. We truly believe that in order to do this work, we need to support, uplift, and share with each other. There are so many ways in which we can harness the power of community as we engage in anti-sexual violence work -- many of which may seem small, but are just the opposite. Whether we spend time creating spaces for vulnerable conversations about sexual violence, our emotions, or rejection, or devote our time to community organizing and advocacy to make the necessary changes in our society so that we all feel safe, we are taking necessary steps together to shift society, and our understanding of sexual violence.
February 1 - 4, 2022
Movies for Mental Health - Sexual Violence Focus
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM MST
Virtual Event
Movies for Mental Health — Sexual Violence Focus (M4MH-SV) is a 2-hour virtual workshop that uses the power of film to unite folks in community, connection, and conversation.
In particular, this workshop will focus on the mental health impacts of sexual violence for both individuals and communities, with the goal of creating more supportive communities for survivors.
This interactive, online experience will feature an anonymous, chat-based discussion on mental health, sexual violence, the stigma that frequently surrounds these issues, and media portrayals of both sexual violence and mental health.
Following this will be a live screening of three award-winning short films, therapeutic activities to consciously connect minds and bodies, and a collective exploration around what the work means for us as individuals.
The event will culminate in a panel of lived-experience speakers and mental health resources for survivors, empowering us to share our own stories, access support available to us, and offer support to our friends, family, and peers.
If you require real-time closed captioning for this event, please contact us at least 2 days in advance.
First Responder to Sexual Assault & Abuse Training-Online Workshop
Wednesday, February 2 & Thursday, February 3, 2022
9 AM -5 PM MST - Online
This training is intended to build the capacity of professionals, paraprofessionals and community members to respond effectively to disclosures of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.
Looking for Justice; Beyond the Criminal Legal System with Batul Gulamhusein
Friday, February 4, 2022
12:00PM - 1:00PM
In this workshop, we'll be discussing how the criminal legal system is designed to fail survivors of sexual violence. We'll be discussing what community care networks and accountability systems can look like beyond the state, and re-imagine what a response to sexual violence that puts survivors at the centre could look like.
About Batul:
Batul Gulamhusein (she/they) is an experienced campaigner, grassroots organizer and facilitator that has worked with progressive organizations to build winning teams, strategies, and campaigns. They have been active in social movements for the past decade, working to address white supremacy, stop the climate crisis, and champion queer, trans and racialized peoples in the fight for global justice.
She is a first-generation femme settler of colour based in amiskwaciwâskahikan, the homelands and gathering places of the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux nations. Their family comes from a lineage of Indo-Arab settlers in Eastern Africa on Maasai and Kikuyu territory. She is passionate about croissants, long road trips, buying lots of books, and planning impossible hiking trips.