[WAM!Van] Sexual assault awareness month - For Immediate release

[Stacey Forrester]

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month which includes International Street
Harassment week (April 2-9). Good Night Out (GNO) and Hollaback! are 2
local feminist organizations who recognize that the prevalence of sexual
assault in our communities is inextricably tied to the same social
conditions that have normalized the harassment of certain bodies and
identities as they go to work, school or simply exist in public
spaces. Research
regarding sexual harassment
<https://www.slideshare.net/iHollaback/cornell-canada>and violence in
Canada has shown that the majority of females have their first experience
of harassment during puberty, and that the number of sexual assaults in
Canada is
<http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/10/30/sexual-assault-canada_n_6074994.html>alarmingly
high.
<http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/10/30/sexual-assault-canada_n_6074994.html>

While being a female is a risk factor for sexual violence, risk of
experiencing sexual violence is increased for those among us who identify
transgender, LGBT2Q , racialized and / or disabled. We also are aware that
problematic gender norms around what constitutes masculinity is responsible
for both sexual violence being inflicted on males, as low reporting rates
and recourse for males who experience harassment and violence of this
nature.

 With the recent completion of a successful crowdfunder campaign for date
rate drug detecting coasters, and with 2 years of successful Sexual Assault
Awareness month campaigns under their belt, Good Night Out and Hollaback!
are opting to center this year’s campaign initiatives around the survivors
of sexual assault in our lives, those doing anti-violence work and our
allies.

 #Dearsurvivor, <https://www.facebook.com/events/654795711373926/> is a
social media campaign that will run from March 20 to April 3rd to collect
messages of support for survivors of sexual violence. Messages will be
projected in pop up style art installations, including a showing at SFU
Harbour center April 5th from 330-730 pm. Often while in public, women and
other vulnerable populations are made to feel unsafe by certain public
spaces and strangers. This exhibit subverts this reality –at least
temporarily -allowing strangers to offer messages of support and solidarity
to survivors of sexual / gendered harassment and violence, which will be
delivered through a public space.

  <https://www.facebook.com/events/1438480822870538/>Friendzone: A
Fundraiser for Good Night Out
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1438480822870538/> taking place April 1st, is
a consent based all bodies, allgender and gender expressions dance party.
Good Night Out has been working hard to push for a cultural shift in
Vancouver’s nightlife industry towards one that values the safety of women
and the LGBTQ2 community in all areas of the city, and that takes a stand
against harassment and sexual assault as a normal part of going out.

Vancouver Art and Leisure <http://www.vanartleisure.com/>has generously
donated their space for this event to help Good Night Out host this event
and raise some funds for GNO’s future outreach and education work, and out
which includes coding a Nightlife Safety App that they recently won from
RED ACADEMY. With a focus on the celebration of women / femme / non binary
talent and safer dance floors, the lineup is mostly femme powered, and
local organization Karmik willbe providing harm reduction support
<http://karmik.us13.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=dbcc26413e689088ac5b4ec00&id=a7d4f88bd7>at
the event. Prior to the event, VAL staff will take part in GNO training,
working towards certification as a Good Night Out venue. The coasters are
scheduled to arrive in time for this party, pending any issues with
shipping.



Good Night Out and Hollaback! have increased their capacity for consent and
sexual assault prevention training sessions in April, and still have spots
available to host workshops for schools (Capilano will be hosting its third
session this in April!), workplaces and bars /restaurants. People are
encouraged to reach out ASAP for a workshop catered to their needs.



For more information:

Stacey Forrester, Co Organizer - Good Night Out, Site leader- Hollaback!

Vancouver at iholllaback.org



-- 
*Stacey Forrester*
Good Night Out <https://www.facebook.com/goodnightoutvancouver/?fref=ts> &
Hollaback! <http://vancouver.ihollaback.org/>
staceymarie.net
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.resist.ca/pipermail/wamvan/attachments/20170323/1258863e/attachment.html>