April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Red River College and Across the Globe

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (“SAAM”), occurring April of each year, is an international movement dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence, its impacts, and information about supports for those affected by sexual violence.

 

At Red River College, we are committed to a safe and inclusive working and learning environment for our staff and students, free from all forms of sexual violence. This commitment extends to all Colleges spaces—whether you are studying on campus, or learning online from within or outside of Canada. We all play a role in maintaining a respectful environment.

 

As part of our efforts to engage members of the College community in conversations around consent sexual violence, we have put together a Library Guide on Sexual Violence Awareness, Education, Prevention and Supports. The Guide includes links to books, articles, videos, websites and other resources on a range of related topics such as:

 

  • Campus sexual violence
  • Building a culture of consent
  • Understanding trauma and trauma-informed practice
  • Self-care, healing and recovery
  • Male survivors
  • BIPOC perspectives

 

We encourage you to take a look at the Library Guide if you are interested in learning more about sexual violence as a societal problem, and what we can all be doing to address it.

 

If you have experienced sexual violence, know that it is not your fault. Acts of sexual violence are the responsibility of the perpetrator alone, and you are never to blame. You should also know that you are not alone— you have the option of sharing your experience and accessing help. There are supports available to you through the College, including:

 

  • The College’s Resource and Resolution Advisor Jess Spindler is available to discuss with you your options for reporting a concern to the College, if another member of the College community was involved.
  • RRC Counselling Services are available to all students. Appointments with a counsellor are available by phone or video conferencing. Counselling can offer help with personal/relational challenges, managing mental wellness, and support in times of crisis.
  • The REES (Respect Educate Empower Survivors) online reporting tool, which allows survivors to make a report of sexual violence to their College or police using a secure online reporting form.
  • The College’s No Wrong Door microsite includes information about College policies and procedures on sexual violence, and additional information about supports.

 

The Library Guide includes links to supports available outside the College, such as the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line (in operation 24/7) at 1-888-292-7565 (toll free in Manitoba).

Download more colouring book pages like this at: Colouring Books – Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education – Ryerson University

By Jess Spindler, Resource and Resolution Advisor