LET’S GET CONSENSUAL (LGC) is a student-led movement to end rape culture on post-secondary campuses across BC.
Our mission is to make campuses safer by providing judgment-free consent education and training, and to fight rape culture on campuses. From condoms to consent training, we do this in a number of ways: poster and media campaigns, workshops and training, safer sex supplies, student outreach and engagement, and much more!
Our LGC partners on campuses across BC include:
ABCs (Alliance of British Columbia Students)
Capilano Student Union (CSU)
BC3 Coalition (Alma Matter society-UBC, SFSS, UBCOSU)
If your campus would like to partner with LGC, email campaigns@uvss.ca
WHAT IS CONSENT?
There are many different definitions and models of consent that take into account the particular wants, needs, and communication styles of those who practice it.
At LGC, we define consent as a mutual emotional, physical and psychological understanding between people(s) without force of any kind. When engaging intimately with other individuals, consent is necessary to ensure that everybody involved is aware and interested in what is happening. Consent is based on communication, not assumptions.
Check out this video series to hear 2020-2021 Director of Campaigns, Emily Lowan, talk about six elements of consent (here’s our YouTube playlist).
Consent cannot be held to predetermined agreement.
Consent is best practiced sober.
Consent is the responsibility of the initiator.
Consent is a mutually communicated agreement.
Consent is ongoing.
Consent is enthusiastic.
WHAT IS SEXUALIZED VIOLENCE?
Sexualized violence is anything that disrespects your sexuality (including disrespect of asexuality) or is violence in a sexualized context. This can look like comments, leering, intimidation, coercion, expectations, discrimination, non consensual touching, sexual assault, sexual harassment, etc.
The video below features male-identified UVic students speaking out on issues of sexualized violence and raising awareness about consent.
WHAT WE DO
Throughout the year, the UVSS will be engaging students on the topics of sexualized violence. Right now, our focus is on social media engagement and online events. We are working to make consent the norm. Join us in the conversation!
The Anti-Violence Project (AVP)
The Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is committed to addressing and ending gender-based and sexualized violence on campus and beyond. We strive to provide anti-oppressive and sex-positive services, advocacy and action on-campus and off to people of all genders, in partnership and collaboration, in order to address and resist all intersecting forms of violence.
- Support resources – information and links about online, local and on- and off-campus resources for support, healing, information, advocacy and action
- Emergency information and crisis lines
Sexualized Violence Resource Office
Sexualized Violence Resource Office is for info, support, confidential consultation, and reporting options.
- To report, you can call (250) 721-8021 or email svpcoordinator@uvic.ca
Support Connect
Support Connect is for 24/7 mental health support, by phone, video, or in-person.
- 1-844-773-1427 (Canada)
- 1-250-999-7621 (International)
Student Wellness Centre
The Student Wellness Centre is for students who have experienced recent or historical sexualized violence including pregnancy options, STI testing, or meeting with a forensic nurse examiner.
LEARN MORE WITH AVP
The Anti-Violence Project offers free workshops on a regular basis. If you’ve like to learn more about sexualized violence, consent, and supporting a survivor, check out the following:
- Understanding Consent Culture: “This online workshop is intended to provide folks with the information, skills, and opportunity to understand and practice consent. Through activities and discussion, we will bust myths about sexualized violence and gender, explore the concept of rape culture and learn about consent (what it is, why it’s required, how to practice it). “
- Supporting a Survivor: “Throughout the workshop we will cover the very important differences between support, disclosure and reporting and provide some foundations for supporting survivors of sexualized violence. We will discuss different approaches and tools that can be used when supporting someone, including: active listening, believing survivors, busting myths, showing empathy and making referrals.” (It is recommended that folks interested in this workshop first attend the Understanding Consent Culture workshop.)
- Practicing Boundaries – A New Workshop: “We wanted to create a workshop that embraced this messiness and that tried to build our collective skills for setting and respecting boundaries, practicing consent and working through rejection without ignoring the context in which we do these things.”
The Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is committed to addressing and ending gender-based and sexualized violence on campus and beyond. AVP strives to provide anti-oppressive and sex-positive services, advocacy and action to people of all genders on and off-campus, in order to address and resist all intersecting forms of violence. AVP offers free support services that strive to acknowledge all of the complexities of gender-based violence in a confidential and person-focused setting. AVP supports people who have experienced gender-based violence, people who are supporting a survivor of violence, as well as people who have caused harm and seek to change their actions. We have staff and a team of volunteers who are trained to provide emotional support and to connect people with relevant resources and referrals, including advocacy, community, counselling, health and/or legal services.
Support Line: 250 472-4388 Office Line: 250-721-8080 Website: antiviolenceproject.org
THE UVIC OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE
The Office of Student Life partners with the Let’s Get Consensual Campaign for events, education, and campaigns. Their Consent & Care Collective, a consent, sexuality, and relationship education program designed by and for students, is currently developing a new program for the UVic community. To learn more about all their programs, and to learn more about the Consent & Care Collective’s work, you can follow them on Instagram @uvicyearone or visit their website.