The University of Guelph is raising awareness and saying “We Believe You” to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence on Tuesday.
Representatives from the sexual and gender-based violence office and the sexual assault free environment peer team will be on Johnston Green from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., along with a resource table outlining the supports and education available on campus.
Attendees are invited to write a “love letter” to survivors, which will be displayed on campus afterward, and to post online about what the day means to them, sharing with the hashtag #WeBelieveYou and tagging @wellness_uofg on Twitter or Instagram.
“By saying ‘I believe you’ or ‘what happened was not your fault,’ we instantly create possibilities for healing, support and safety,” said Jensen Williams, sexual and gender-based violence education coordinator. “We hope that #WeBelieveYou day also educates the campus about our office and where to seek support when needed.”
The #IBelieveYou campaign was first launched in 2015 by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services, and has since grown to unite campuses and communities throughout Canada.
It aims to let survivors know the trauma they experienced was not their fault, and that their community believes and supports them.
The news release states that students are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence: over 70 per cent of post-secondary students have either experienced or witnessed unwanted sexual behaviours, and that one in three women, one in two trans or non-binary people, and one in six men will experience sexual assault or abuse in their lifetime.
Yet, just six per cent of sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement, as survivors are often afraid to open up about their experience, fearing no one will believe them.
“When we invalidate survivors’ experiences, we normalize sexual violence and create barriers for seeking supports they deserve to access. We all have a role to play in preventing violence and supporting survivors, and today that can start with simply letting survivors know, ‘I believe you,’” said Melissa Conte, sexual and gender-based violence support coordinator.
Following the event, on Sept. 21 there will be a free virtual lunch and learn from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on how to provide survivor-centric and trauma-informed support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. You can register here.
