York University students, staff and faculty are once again invited to join the Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education (The Centre) for an online Consent Week at York U, Oct. 4 to 8.
During Consent Week at York U, The Centre will be hosting a series of panels, sessions and events online through Zoom in an effort to raise awareness, facilitate discussions and offer resources about consent as York community members settle into a new academic year. By bringing in experts to provide insight, knowledge and resources focused on consent, The Centre hopes Consent Week at York U will raise awareness about the supports and services offered by their office, staff, peers and external partners.
“We invite all of our community members to join us as we navigate consent within a variety of disciplines,” said Joanie Cameron Pritchett, director of community support and services. “We’re here for survivors on our campus, but also those who support survivors, engage in this type of work or want more information.”
Community members who are interested in attending should register early. Here’s a snapshot of the events taking place throughout the week.
Monday, Oct. 4
Consent 101
This session will go over the basics of consent, where community members are encouraged to engage in lively group discussions, watch videos, practise with scenarios, and gain practical knowledge and skills for communicating consent and boundaries.
Wen-Do Virtual Workshop
Wen-Do Women’s Self-Defence offers a training space for non-binary individuals and women, of all abilities, aged 10 and up.
Tuesday, Oct. 5
Power in Pleasure
In this trauma-informed consent workshop, attendees will discuss sex and consent at the intersection of race, status, labour and criminalization, and why a fear-based “no means no” approach fails to recognize the greater agency and power we are capable of wielding.
Wednesday, Oct. 6
Human Trafficking in Canada: Hiding in Plain Sight
Learn how traffickers prey on vulnerabilities and what you can do to mitigate risk and prevalence.
Thursday, Oct. 7
Informational Consent for Black and Racialized Bodies in Virtual and IRL Spheres
Attendees will explore the delightful range of informational consent for Black and racialized queer, trans and shapeshifting bodies in virtual and real-life spheres.
Trauma Recovery Yoga
This class aims to give participants tools to understand how trauma affects the body and to let go of trauma stored in the body through movement. The practices will consist of gentle movements, simple postures and breath awareness. Everything in the class is optional and beginner-friendly.
Friday, Oct. 8
The Guise Guide: Pods as Praxis
Learn about “My Public Living Room” (MPLR) from Good Guise – a creative collective of racialized men (Black, brown, latinx, cis, trans, queer) – which seeks to explore “pods”: intentional small groups of friends that meet regularly for specific purposes such as mutual aid, emotional support, intimacy, learning, vulnerability and more.
To learn more about Consent Week at York University, visit: thecentre.yorku.ca/consent-week.
To learn more about the services offered by The Centre, visit thecentre.yorku.ca.