Hosted by Student Engagement in partnership with Conestoga’s Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) Prevention & Support Office, Consent Awareness Week took place May 20-24.
Students were engaged at the Consent Awareness Week information fair at the college's Waterloo campus.
Consent Awareness Week is part of Courage to Act, a federally-funded program aimed at increasing education and awareness of issues relating to consent and gender-based violence among post-secondary students. As part of this initiative, campuses across the country hold weeks filled with consent-related events each September, including Conestoga.
Additionally, Conestoga hosts Consent Awareness Weeks each winter and spring terms comprised of virtual and in-person activities. This term’s virtual workshops, held throughout the week and earlier in the month of May, delved into healthy relationships, bystander intervention, and virtual consent and harassment, as well as broader discussions on what consent entails in partnership with Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.
Outreach tables were located at each campus location, and the week was capped off with an information fair at the college’s Waterloo campus, where more than 180 students played consent-based trivia games for prizes and asked questions at several booths from internal Conestoga areas and external organizations. There was also a Bingo activity, where students obtained specific information at different stations for a prize.
Student ambassador Pallabi Roy, who staffed a table and helped inform students at the information fair, appreciates Conestoga’s dedication to this cause.
“What I love about Conestoga is that they do it the third week of every semester.”
Roy also gave an example of the important information that students learn throughout the week about gender-based violence and bystander supports.
“Getting educated, you know that the sexual and gender-based violence prevention team is where you need to report an incident if something happens.”
Conestoga's Sexual and Gender-based Violence Prevention & Support Office provides centralized support to the college community through preventative programming and trauma-informed response.
Outside organizations that were present at the event included Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, SHORE Centre and Shelter Movers.
“The information fair is a valuable addition to the great virtual events throughout the week, providing an opportunity for in-person interactions,” said Mae Enriquez, programmer, Student Engagement.
“It’s important to have trained student ambassdors involved in educating other students in a setting that allows them to feel comfortable and eager to participate.”
Several tables were also set up to introduce students to different supports available throughout the college on gender-related issues.
Anthony Nguyen, a Student Engagement programmer focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ programming, was present at a table that educated students on the community and introduced them to the supports at Conestoga and throughout Waterloo Region.
“At our table, we’re talking about 2SLGBTQIA+ care, and that means exposing folks to resources and places that are queer-inclusive in Waterloo Region, talking about Spectrum, Waterloo Region’s community space, and educating folks with a trivia game, as well as speaking to some upcoming internal events.”
“Each term, Consent Awareness Week plays a crucial role in laying the foundations of awareness, education, respect, allyship and friendship that help build a positive campus culture,” said Amy Baird, associate director, Student Experience.
“The month’s activities generated over 750 conversations that wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of our team, our partnership with the SGBV office and the students who come together. We are fortunate to have such a large number of people within our community who are dedicated to ending gender-based violence."
Visit the Student Success Portal for information and to register for upcoming consent workshops.
Conestoga's Student Engagement meets the needs of students through innovative programming designed to achieve goals with learning outcomes-based initiatives, including the Co-Curricular Record; Orientation; equity, diversity and inclusion education and programming; the Leadership Workshop series; and various student volunteer, leadership and committee opportunities.