May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Ontario recognizes this month to raise awareness about the devastating impact of sexual assault and focus on the measures being taken to stop violence and support survivors.
On May 5, Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis joined thousands across Canada wearing purple in support of survivors of sexual violence. In its sixth year, the campaign is called “No One Asks For It!” (facebook.com/NoOneAsksForIt/)
In an attempt to engage the community in conversations around consent, the Sexual Assault Centre at GW Women in Crisis will be providing concrete ways that we can emphasize the importance of consent in our lives.
Throughout the month of May, we will be posting themed tips and resources for folks to explore.
The tips have been selected based on different themes that will help folks understand that consent applies to all aspects of our engagement with other people.
– “Me Mondays” will highlight how we can improve how we give and receive consent in our lives.
– “Tot Tuesdays” will provide examples of ways we can discuss consent with the children in our lives.
– “Workplace Wednesday” will discuss ways we can encourage folks in workplaces to remember that consent applies to our interactions in and out of the workplace.
– “Team Thursdays” will explore different ways we can play, watch and enjoy Sports without forgetting the importance of consent.
– “Freedom Fridays” will address the ways that consent can help us have fun and increase safety.
– “Sexy Saturdays” will get into the real ways that we can explore our sexuality safely and assure the sex we have is consensual.
– “Safe Sundays” will focus on ways that we can include consent and consensual practices as we walk through the world.
“Talking about the importance of consent in all our relationships is often difficult for people to understand,” says public educator, Jessica St. Peter.
“It is important to expand the conversation of consent beyond the bedroom.”
This social media campaign is about educating about the importance of consent and the application of consent in all areas of life and community.
GW Women in Crisis encourage community partners to participate in this campaign, as well as bring tips and conversations into personal and professional fields.
