Consent Action Week
What is Consent Action Week?
Consent Action Week is an educational initiative created by the Ontario University Sexual Violence Network held during the last week of January at universities across Ontario. During January 23-27, the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Support and Education Centre, the SAFE (Sexual Assault Free Environment) Peer Team and on and off-campus partners will be hosting Consent Action Week; an opportunity for the University of Guelph campus community to create a dialogue about consent, pleasure, relationships and increase understanding of sexual and gender-based violence. This week is also an opportunity to raise awareness of both on and off-campus services and to engage staff, faculty and students in programming and events centred around healing, prevention and advocacy.
Events:
Monday, January 23, 2023:
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Resource Fair
Knowing the range of options for resources and support can help survivors connect with supports that best meet their needs. Students, staff and faculty are invited to attend the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Resource Fair to learn more the many amazing on-campus and community-based supports and resources available. Those who attend will have the opportunity to enter a gift card giveaway!
Tuesday, January 24, 2023:
Trauma-Informed Yoga with Charlene Dinger
This class is open to everyBODY and anyone that wishes to connect with their mind, body and breath in a safe space. This Hatha-style class is a grounding and therapeutic sequence that is accessible and safe for beginners, yet challenging for more experienced students. Cultivate strength, stability, focus and mindfulness. Self-massage techniques, grounding breathwork and meditation will also be included.
A care room will be available during the session for anyone seeking supports and resources during the yoga event in AC 131.
Participants are asked to bring their own yoga mat to this event if possible. If you do not have a mat, one can be supplied for you.
About the Instructor, Charlene Dinger:
Growing up as a dancer and working professionally as a performer and educator, Charlene has been fascinated by the body, anatomy and the mind-body connection. In 2018, she completed her 500-hour YTT through Modo Yoga, and has since completed the Reaching In, Reaching Out Training through New Leaf Foundation (focusing on anti-oppression and trauma-informed instruction), as well as a Level 2 Flow training with Saana Yoga.
As she continues to grow on her journey as an instructor, Charlene remains a curious student. She loves to gain insight from her students, embracing every class she teaches as a true energy exchange. She offers classes that are accessible and safe, while leaving space for seasoned practitioners to challenge themselves when they are called to do so.
LGBTQ2IA+ Weekly Discussion with OUTLine: Consent Action Week: Love Letters to Survivors
The LGBTQ2IA+ Weekly Discussion hosted by OUTLine serves as an opportunity for students to connect to discuss and share lived experiences of being part of the LGBTQ2IA+ communities. At the weekly discussion, we explore different topics related to sexual orientation, gender identity, finding community, pop culture, and more. These discussions are open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
This week, we will be dedicating this time and space for Consent Action Week. Students will have the opportunity to come write love letters to survivors, share in discussion, and colour. Everyone is welcome and can participate to whatever level comfortable
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Training for Students
Join us for a free skills-development opportunity to learn more about the root causes of sexual and gender-based violence, ways to promote and practice consent, the skills needed to respond to disclosures, and understand the support and resources available.
A care room will be available during the session for anyone seeking support and resources during the training in UC 429.
Navigating Pleasure After Trauma Workshop
- Understand the various ways trauma impacts our bodies and intimate lives
- Reflect on how self-pleasure can be a radical form of healing and self-care
- Comprehend how arousal, and sexual desire functions
- Learn about different techniques to access pleasure within their bodies, minds and environment.
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Responding to Disclosures and Supporting Survivors Lunch & Learn Workshop for Staff and Faculty
Stories Spark Change: In Conversation With adrienne marie brown
Join internationally renowned writer, activist, musician, and facilitator adrienne maree brown for an in-depth conversation on joy, pleasure, and healing. This virtual event will feature student poetry and artwork, and the conversation will be moderated by Keneisha Charles.
adrienne maree brown grows healing ideas in public through her multi-genre writing, her music and her podcasts. Informed by 25 years of movement facilitation, somatics, Octavia E Butler scholarship and her work as a doula, adrienne has nurtured Emergent Strategy, Pleasure Activism, Radical Imagination and Transformative Justice as ideas and practices for transformation. She is the author/editor of seven published texts and the founder of the Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute, where she is now the writer-in-residence.
Stories Spark Change is being organized by: Toronto Metropolitain University, Laurier University, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, Carleton University, University of Guelph, Western University, York University, and Queen's University.
We are also looking for Black, Indigenous and racialized undergraduate and graduate students to submit artwork and/or poetry for this event. The deadline for all submissions is Monday January 16th, learn more and apply here.
Accessibility Note: The webinar will be conducted primarily in spoken English. Live captioning in English will be available. American Sign Language can be made available upon request. Requests may be submitted in the registration form below. Please submit language accessibility requests at least 3 business days before the event. Please note that we may not be able to fulfill requests received within less than 3 business days of an event.
Friday, January 27, 2023
Sex on Screen: Fantasy or Reality? Understanding How Erotic Media Shapes Our Relationships
Is porn really everywhere? Ruining relationships, and transforming our understanding of sex? Join the PhD sexologists, Alisha Fisher and Tasha Falconer, as they discuss pornography, who watched pornography, why types of pornography are popular, and how world events can impact people's viewing habits of pornography. Myths (and the reality) related to pornography will be explored, as well as critiques. The presentation will include media literacy discussions and discussions around the relationship between sexual media and consent. Finally, there will be suggestions for how to talk with ourselves and our partners about social media.This free event is a collaboration between Student Wellness Services’ SAFE and NAKED peer teams and is an opportunity to expand your knowledge about all things pornography and sexuality in a fun and exciting way!
