UVic’s Sexualized Violence Prevention (SVP) Foundations series

Everyone has the fundamental right to live, learn, work and play in environment free of sexualized violence.  At UVic, everyone is expected to practice consent and treat one another with respect.

These workshops are for students who want to take an active role in making UVic a more inclusive, respectful and consensual place. It is especially important and useful for those who are new to UVic, have not taken sexualized violence prevention (SVP) training in the past and/or those who want to learn more about UVic’s work to prevent sexualized violence.

All workshops are interactive and focused on awareness-raising and skill acquisition. Workshops will ideally be completed in order although exceptions can be made.

Workshops can be booked for your club, group, or class of 20 people or more by emailing Reem Girgrah (she/her) – Education Officer at .  Priority is given to in-person workshops.

Part 1: SVP 101

(50 minutes)

This workshop helps students develop a deeper understanding of what sexualized violence is, the role they play in preventing it, how to receive a disclosure and what options are available at UVic for survivors, or anyone impacted by sexualized violence.

Students will:

  • be able to recognize common forms of sexualized violence
  • understand the reason why sexualized violence is such a widespread social problem
  • develop their skills to support those impacted by sexualized violence
  • learn the options available to students under UVic's Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Policy, including the difference between a Disclosure and a Report
  • be informed about other resources available on and off campus

Part 2: Let’s Talk about Consent

(80 minutes)

This workshop sets out UVic’s expectations regarding consent for students. The workshop will explore how to overcome some of the barriers associated with practicing consent, with a focus on how dis-inhibitors like alcohol impact this ability. We will discuss other difficult topics like power and rejection and the role they play in engaging in meaningful consent practices.

Students will:

  • understand how identity, personal experiences and worldview shapes consent, can impact boundaries and relationships
  • reflect on the different ways power shows up in relationships
  • take away practical tips, meaningful ways to ask and check for consent and how to receive a ‘no’
  • reflect on what gets in the way of practicing meaningful consent
  • learn how to receive a disclosure and what resources and supports that are available at UVic for students

Part 3: Active Bystander Intervention

(80 minutes)

This workshop helps students understand the importance of being an active bystander and explores common barriers to intervening. The workshop will cover different intervention strategies (direct, distract, delegate, delay and document) and practice deciding when to intervene and which intervention strategy to use.

Students will:

  • learn and apply the 5-step model of Active Bystander Intervention
  • understand the bystander effect, bystander bias and other common barriers to intervening
  • reflect on how power and privilege create greater opportunities to intervene safely
  • build confidence in applying the 5 intervention strategies when witnessing sexualized violence

Questions?

If you wish to organize these workshops for your group/club/class of 20 people or more or if you have any additional questions, please contact:

Reem Girgrah (she/her) – Education Officer at  or Annette Angell (they/them) – Coordinator, Sexualized Violence Education, Prevention and Support at .