The #WeBelieveYou day popped up on the University of Guelph campus Tuesday to show survivors of assault and gender-based violence they are supported by students.
It was organized by Student Wellness.
#WeBelieveYou day was inspired by the #IBelieveYou campaign started by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services.
Both campaigns are “to honour and celebrate survivorship and let survivors know that we see them, we hear them they're valid and honouring their experiences,” said Melissa Conte, sexual and gender-based violence support coordinator at U of G.
The event on campus had a variety of resources for students. There was also a board with pen and paper for students to write notes of encouragement to survivors.
The board and notes will migrate through campus so the messages reach more students.
“We do need to say we believe survivors, because that's the support, that's the reassurance that we need,'' said Denver Bubelich, a first-year neuroscience student.
Conte wants survivors to know they are loved and cared for.
“I think today is really about starting the conversation,” said Jensen Williams, sexual and gender-based violence education coordinator for U of G.
This event is a starting point for students to learn more about survivors and how to support them, with more learning opportunities to come throughout the year, they said.
Prevention is key to tackling the issue of sexual assault. Educating students to understand consent, boundaries, what it means to be a bystander and to be a recipient of disclosure, said Jan Klotz, associate director of student wellness.
“I think there's a lot of openness to learn more,” said Myah Robinson, student and part of the Safe Team on campus.
Meeting students where they’re at and where they get their information from like having a resource table on campus or through social media channels is how they can get the message across, said Robinson.
“To have access to support and love and solidarity and engaging the whole community is really important, because it shows survivors and students that their student body is there for them and cares for them,” said Williams.
The student wellness centre offers trauma informed and survivor-centric support to students. It is up to survivors to guide their healing journey and with help from staff they can create an individualized wellness plan, said Conte.
Conte said she hopes the event will grow in the future. She said she wants the bill brought by NDP MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam to have a Consent Awareness Week in Ontario, will pass. The #WeBelieveYou day would fit in well with the consent week, if approved by the following year.
