Laurier to host virtual programming during 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Nov. 23, 2021

Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to fostering a university culture where gendered and sexual violence is not tolerated, and survivors are believed and supported with compassion, dignity and respect.

From Nov. 25 until Dec. 10, Laurier will host virtual programming in support of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign that calls for action against harmful acts directed at individuals based on their gender and challenges gender inequality, the abuse of power, and harmful norms. Gender-based violence disproportionately impacts women, girls, Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people, but men can also be impacted.

"Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an opportunity to come together as a community and call out, speak up, and renew our commitment to end gender-based violence,” says Dayna MacDonald, sexual violence prevention specialist at Laurier. “We all have a responsibility to use our voices to end gender-based violence at Laurier and beyond.”

Online events are organized by Laurier’s Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support team and open to all faculty, staff and students at no charge. Advanced registration is required for some events.

Wear #Purple4Prevention: Nov. 25 through Dec. 10

Beginning Nov. 25, show your commitment to preventing gender-based violence by taking a picture of yourself wearing purple and posting it to social media. Add a message of support, tag @consentisgolden and use the hashtags #Purple4Prevention or #16DaysofActivism.

Laurier, the University of Waterloo, Conestoga College and the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo have partnered for the #Purple4Prevention T-shirt campaign. Custom purple T-shirts, sold earlier in November, feature pro-consent messages and show solidarity for survivors of gendered and sexual violence.

Sexual Violence Response Certificate Workshops

The Sexual Violence Response Certificate includes a series of virtual workshops that focus on building knowledge and skills to respond to disclosures and build solidarity with survivors. The workshops are open to Laurier faculty, staff and students. Students who complete six of nine workshops will receive a Sexual Violence Response Certificate through their Laurier Experience Record.

The following workshops in the series are being offered between Nov. 25 and Dec. 10 on Zoom:

• Nov. 25, 2 to 3:30 p.m.: When Your Friend Has Caused Harm
• Dec. 2, 4 to 5:30 p.m.: Supporting 2SLGBTQ+ Survivors
• Dec. 7, noon to 1:30 p.m.: Exploring the Relationship Between Desirability Politics and Gender-Based and Sexual Violence

Online Events

Panel: Towards a Justice that Heals

Nov. 29, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Zoom.

Towards a Justice that Heals is a panel event that will discuss how institutional processes can be traumatic for survivors coming forward and the importance of offering informed, transformative and restorative justice pathways for accountability. Essential principles for using transformative and restorative justice models, along with practical ways to grow skills and capacity when responding to experiences of gender-based violence, will also be addressed.

Panelists include Desiree Anderson, associate dean of diversity and student affairs at the University of New Orleans; Carol Bilson, education coordinator at Victoria Women’s Transition House in Victoria, B.C.; and Sam Pearson, director of the Sexual Assault Centre at the University of Alberta. The panel will be moderated by Sarah Scanlon, manager of sexual violence response at Laurier.

Workshop: What Does Your Heart Need to Hear? Attachment-Focused Healing for Survivors of Trauma

Dec. 3, 1 to 3 p.m., Zoom.

Experiences of relational harm cause survivors to internalize negative messages about themselves and the world around them. Narratives of shame and fear impact physical and emotional health, making it difficult for survivors to experience safety, pleasure and joy.

Join Sunna Murphy (MSW ’13), owner and lead clinician at Sanctuary Counselling and Training, to learn how to use self-compassion practices, soothing touch and sensory-based visualization to create feelings of comfort and resilience. The workshop is open to all members of the Laurier community. Advanced registration is required.

Instagram Takeover: Dec. 6

Tune into Laurier’s Instagram account from 1 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 6 for a takeover hosted by Laurier's Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support team. The takeover will discuss activism against gender-based and sexual violence and how to support survivors. Additional content contributors include Laurier’s Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Laurier’s Student Wellness Centres, Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group, the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant, and the Sexual Assault Support Centre Waterloo Region.

For more information about events and activities planned during 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, visit Consent is Golden on Instagram or Facebook or contact Laurier’s sexual violence response staff at svinfo@wlu.ca.