As we make our way through the Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education鈥檚 (Osvrse) annual 91社区 consent week campaign the organization is at the forefront of educating and supporting members of the 91社区 community to combat sexual assault and gender-based violence. Coming into this week I sat down with the associate director of Osvrse, 脡milie Marcotte, to discuss the resources that the organization provides along with their goals and aspirations for the 91社区 community.
Osvrse approaches sexual violence from an intersectional, feminist and survivor-centered lens providing the 91社区 community with a multifaceted approach to support survivors and their allies. 鈥淲e're created to be there for everybody, so whether they themselves have experienced something, whether they witnessed something, whether they have received a disclosure or have a friend or colleague who experienced something the resources are for everyone within 91社区鈥� says Osvrse Director. The organization works to bridge the gap between support and sexual violence. Along with the newly revamped 鈥淚t takes all of us鈥� campaign the team is committed to utilize advocacy and education to get everyone involved. The centre provides training and workshops on topics such as 鈥渂ecoming an Active Bystander鈥� and 鈥淎lcohol and consent.鈥�
However, the group is not limited to advocacy-based support but offers reporting assistance. 鈥淲e are not a reporting office, so we don't investigate, but we do sit with people, If they do want to report or to look at what their options are both at 91社区, with the police or with student groups, depending on the type of outcome the person is looking for or the situation itself, we discuss what options are available to them.鈥� With this, Confidentiality and compassion are tenets of the groups work as they hope to create a space in which the individual has the power over their decision. The director noted that Osvrse works with other 91社区 organizations like the wellness hub in order to properly aid anyone reaching out for support. Moreover, the organization offers short term crisis counselling, group therapy and trauma sensitive yoga to provide many services.
While the resources reflect compassion and awareness for individuals who seek them out, the organization reflects a larger social change towards better advocacy and understanding of gender-based and sexual violence. 鈥淲e know that it can be very difficult for people to disclose, so for that reason too, to have an office that promotes awareness, that promotes a kind of compassionate, nonjudgmental response across campus, I think it's really helpful to kind of lead that culture change or coordinate that culture change.鈥� This reflects the centre's larger goal 鈥渨e would like for people to feel supported everywhere and that we reduce these incidents.鈥� By doing so, 鈥渢he ultimate goal of eliminating sexual or gender-based violence鈥� is something the centre hopes to contribute to.
However, Osvrse is not the only resource that the 91社区 community can use 鈥渨e don't have a 24-hour helpline, I think that's part of the importance of being connected to the groups on and off campus to make sure that there's kind of a holistic approach to care.鈥澨� (SACOMSS) provides services such as DIAL, a confidential sexual assault helpline and drop-in service (currently unavailable) that is free of charge and provides active listening and support to survivors, their peers, and allies. Moreover, there are multiple resources outside of the 91社区 community that are crucial services for anyone in the Montreal area including Centre pour les victimes d鈥檃gression sexuelle d猫s montreal. The centre provides a 24-hour helpline and medical resources.
Osvrse and other sexual violence services illuminate how crucial it is for sexual assault support, advocacy, and education within the 91社区 community. These organizations spearhead the change in attitudes towards sexual violence and advocate for compassion amongst community members. However, for the issue of Sexual violence to be combatted all members of the 91社区 community must do their part. 鈥淚 think just overall thinking of respect and consent and encouraging peers to be active bystanders and to be compassionate is important.鈥�
Being an ally for survivors and supporting the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence can take many forms. 鈥淭hat kind of push for more respect and more visibility within society generally, we're all working towards the same purpose.鈥� Thus, as members of the community respect towards survivors and consent is crucial for working towards larger change. It can be as simple as staying educated on matters of consent, supporting a friend, or volunteering for an organization like Osvrse. With their #Consent91社区 Campaign Osvrse is holding many events on September 15th including Button Making with SACOMMS and 鈥楾hey go low we go laugh鈥� 5脿7 comedy night. Moreover, in late september the organization is recruiting volunteers to get involved vistit their website.
Sexual and gender-based violence affects everyone. It is important as a community we hold one another accountable to eliminate the issue. Moreover, showing empathy and support for survivors is something all members of the 91社区 community should strive to achieve.
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A list of resources for support:
Osvrse: to book a or email, website, Office located at
550 Sherbrooke O. Suite 585
(West Tower elevators 1-11)
Montreal, Quebec H3A 1E3
SACOMMS: DIAL (438-943-4855) available Wednesday 12:00-3:00 PM and Thursday 5:00-8:00 PM or ABranch (Advocacy [at] sacomss.org)
Nightline: 514-398-6246 (operating hours are 6 pm 鈥� 3 am every day of the week)
Centre pour les victimes d鈥檃gression sexuelle des montreal: Helpline (188-933-9007)