UBC Sexual Assault Awareness Month: from survivor support to creating cultures of consent

While controversies have arisen about sexual assaults at UBC, one measure the university has taken is to hold Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event has been held at the university since 2010.

Each week is designed to focus on a different theme.

This week's theme is on increasing awareness of how sexual assault is everyone's issue, whether you are male, female, trans, or any other identity.

Events today (January 11) include explorations of how artistic expression can be used for wellbeing (Creative Self-Care: A Writing Workshop with Amber Dawn) or healing (Shades of Resistance: Healing Through Art).

Educator, writer, artist, and LGBT bookstore co-owner Kim Katrin-Milan will deliver a keynote speech at "Change the Culture: Consent and Anti-Sexualized Violence on Campus" on Thursday (January 12) to discuss how a safe and caring campus can be developed at UBC.

During a week focussing on support for survivors, Adam Garnet Jones' feature film Fire Song, about a gay Anishnabe teenager in Ontario struggling to take care of his family after the suicide of his sister, will be shown on January 17 with a post-screening discussion.

A workshop on January 19 will address the subjects of race, racialization, and sexual assault.

The final week (January 23 to 27) will address creating cultures of consent. Booths will be available on January 24 and 26 at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre for anyone interested in finding out more about consent.

For more details, including a full list of events and information, visit the UBC SAAM webpage.