Sexual violence is a community issue
"The revolution starts in our homes, relationships
and sexual practices. If we are
going to take on the many forms of violence
happening out in the community, then we
need to look at our own relationships and
the ones happening around us. In order to
make real change we need to recognize and
challenge the unhealthy and violent behaviours
we witness and even participate in.
Never let the hand you hold, hold you
down." ~Author Unknown (Source:
sacl.ca/youth/sexualviolence.htm)
"Sexual violence is a community issue." Take a few minutes to think about this statement. Is it true? How many of you know someone — a friend, roommate, classmate, family member or neighbour — who has survived sexual or domestic violence at some point in their lives? Perhaps it happened to you. Sexual violence refers to any unwanted act of a sexual nature, including sexual assault, incest, child sexual abuse, marital or acquaintance/date rape and sexual harassment.
This is beyond being a "women's issue," and desperately needs to be approached at a community level, starting with each and every one of us, within our circles of social and familial connections and within our intimate relationships. If you are a man, you may have a sister, mother, daughter, girlfriend or co-worker who has experienced sexual violence in their lives. These experiences can have a lasting impact on those who survived this abuse, and everyone connected to them.
One in seven boys under the age of 18 will be sexually assaulted. While violence can happen to them at the hands of women, most often it is by other men. In recent years, many of us have had to re-examine the myth that this only happens to women. Sheldon Kennedy, Theoren Fleury, the Pennsylvania State University child sexual abuse scandal and the Boy Scouts sexual abuse admissions immediately come to mind.
In 2006, Statistics Canada reported that four out of five female undergraduates on Canadian campuses were victims of violence in a dating relationship. A national survey of campuses reported that 20.2 per cent of female students experienced unwanted sexual intercourse because they were overwhelmed by pressure, 6.6 per cent because they were threatened or physically forced, and 13.6 per cent reported that, while intoxicated, they experienced an attempt at unwanted intercourse (1998, Fact Sheet, Canadian Federation of Students). Alarmingly, 11 per cent of men reported sexually victimizing a woman dating partner in the previous 12 months (Woman Abuse on Campus: Results from the Canadian National Survey, 1998).
More than 80 per cent of sexual assaults that occur on university and college campuses are committed by someone the victim knows, and 50 per cent occur on dates. Many of these assaults happen during the first eight weeks of classes (University of Alberta - Sexual Assault and the Law in Canada). Over half (70 per cent) of these assaults happen in residences; students there are often young, away from home, without supervision for the first time, exposed to alcohol, and becoming acquainted with many new people. According to one residence manager, approximately 68 per cent of new, first year students in Fanshawe residences are under 19 years of age during this first semester.
Check out the following websites for more information about sexual violence, what to do if a friend discloses a sexual assault, myths and realities, a bystander pledge, and healthy consent in dating relationships: iknowsomeoneuwo.ca and sacl.ca/youth.
It's time we talked about this issue and began to move into action to make our communities a safer place for all. While away at college, remember this IS your community for the time you are here.
Remember: no one should ever have to deal with this alone.
WHERE TO GET HELP
Immediate:
Call 911. The London Police work closely with our Campus Security to support victims of sexual violence.
Campus Security: If you live in residence, you can reach Campus Security's Emergency Phone directly from your room, by calling extension 4242.
If you are in distress, or have been assaulted and need immediate medical assistance: The Urgent Care Centre at St. Joseph's Hospital 268 Grosvenor St., 519-646-6000 Every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Emergency Departments open 24/7
London Health Sciences Centre
University Hospital, 339 Windermere Rd., 519-663-3197
London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital, 800 Commissioners Rd. E., 519-685-8141
If you have been sexually assaulted, these care centres can also collect evidence should you decide to proceed with a criminal charge.
On campus
Health Services Medical Clinic
London Campus, Room SC1001, 519-452-4230, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Clinic advises that if you need immediate urgent care, to contact one of the Emergency Services listed above. You may also obtain walkin service without an appointment from 11 a.m. — 1 p.m., Monday — Friday. The clinic is not open on weekends.
Other supports to call
Sexual Assault Centre London Crisis Line 519-438-2272 (24 hours, English and Spanish) Provides help for survivors or their support people. This service is for both women and men. Carrefour des Femmes du Sud-Ouest de l'Ontario 1-877-336-2433 (24 hours)
Provides help to Francophone survivors of sexual assault.
Abused Women's Helpline: 519-642-3000
Assaulted Women's Helpline: 1-866-863-0511
Mental Health Crisis Centre: 519-433-2023
Distress Centre Help Line: 519-667-6711
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
"Sexual violence is a community issue." Take a few minutes to think about this statement. Is it true? How many of you know someone — a friend, roommate, classmate, family member or neighbour — who has survived sexual or domestic violence at some point in their lives? Perhaps it happened to you. Sexual violence refers to any unwanted act of a sexual nature, including sexual assault, incest, child sexual abuse, marital or acquaintance/date rape and sexual harassment.
This is beyond being a "women's issue," and desperately needs to be approached at a community level, starting with each and every one of us, within our circles of social and familial connections and within our intimate relationships. If you are a man, you may have a sister, mother, daughter, girlfriend or co-worker who has experienced sexual violence in their lives. These experiences can have a lasting impact on those who survived this abuse, and everyone connected to them.
One in seven boys under the age of 18 will be sexually assaulted. While violence can happen to them at the hands of women, most often it is by other men. In recent years, many of us have had to re-examine the myth that this only happens to women. Sheldon Kennedy, Theoren Fleury, the Pennsylvania State University child sexual abuse scandal and the Boy Scouts sexual abuse admissions immediately come to mind.
In 2006, Statistics Canada reported that four out of five female undergraduates on Canadian campuses were victims of violence in a dating relationship. A national survey of campuses reported that 20.2 per cent of female students experienced unwanted sexual intercourse because they were overwhelmed by pressure, 6.6 per cent because they were threatened or physically forced, and 13.6 per cent reported that, while intoxicated, they experienced an attempt at unwanted intercourse (1998, Fact Sheet, Canadian Federation of Students). Alarmingly, 11 per cent of men reported sexually victimizing a woman dating partner in the previous 12 months (Woman Abuse on Campus: Results from the Canadian National Survey, 1998).
More than 80 per cent of sexual assaults that occur on university and college campuses are committed by someone the victim knows, and 50 per cent occur on dates. Many of these assaults happen during the first eight weeks of classes (University of Alberta - Sexual Assault and the Law in Canada). Over half (70 per cent) of these assaults happen in residences; students there are often young, away from home, without supervision for the first time, exposed to alcohol, and becoming acquainted with many new people. According to one residence manager, approximately 68 per cent of new, first year students in Fanshawe residences are under 19 years of age during this first semester.
Check out the following websites for more information about sexual violence, what to do if a friend discloses a sexual assault, myths and realities, a bystander pledge, and healthy consent in dating relationships: iknowsomeoneuwo.ca and sacl.ca/youth.
It's time we talked about this issue and began to move into action to make our communities a safer place for all. While away at college, remember this IS your community for the time you are here.
Remember: no one should ever have to deal with this alone.
WHERE TO GET HELP
Immediate:
Call 911. The London Police work closely with our Campus Security to support victims of sexual violence.
Campus Security: If you live in residence, you can reach Campus Security's Emergency Phone directly from your room, by calling extension 4242.
If you are in distress, or have been assaulted and need immediate medical assistance: The Urgent Care Centre at St. Joseph's Hospital 268 Grosvenor St., 519-646-6000 Every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Emergency Departments open 24/7
London Health Sciences Centre
University Hospital, 339 Windermere Rd., 519-663-3197
London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital, 800 Commissioners Rd. E., 519-685-8141
If you have been sexually assaulted, these care centres can also collect evidence should you decide to proceed with a criminal charge.
On campus
Health Services Medical Clinic
London Campus, Room SC1001, 519-452-4230, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Clinic advises that if you need immediate urgent care, to contact one of the Emergency Services listed above. You may also obtain walkin service without an appointment from 11 a.m. — 1 p.m., Monday — Friday. The clinic is not open on weekends.
Other supports to call
Sexual Assault Centre London Crisis Line 519-438-2272 (24 hours, English and Spanish) Provides help for survivors or their support people. This service is for both women and men. Carrefour des Femmes du Sud-Ouest de l'Ontario 1-877-336-2433 (24 hours)
Provides help to Francophone survivors of sexual assault.
Abused Women's Helpline: 519-642-3000
Assaulted Women's Helpline: 1-866-863-0511
Mental Health Crisis Centre: 519-433-2023
Distress Centre Help Line: 519-667-6711
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
