The Carleton community experienced a wide range of events Feb. 14-16. as a part of Sexual Assault Awareness Week.
Cheryl Macaulay, the equity advisor and co-ordinator of Carleton’s Sexual Assault Services, said that having a week-long campaign is important because it gives an opportunity to have a variety of input and ways of looking at the issue while still bringing it back to the central focus.
She said the focus is to inform people about the services at Carleton.
According to Macaulay, “[It’s to] open up a dialogue, because there are many opportunities for everyone to work together to try and bring people together, to end gender violence.”
The week started with an information fair Feb. 14, which included T-shirt painting and prizes in the Unicentre.
On Feb. 15, Carleton master’s student Elana Finestone held a presentation on how men at Carleton can prevent sexual assault, followed by a showing of the horror film Teeth.
Wednesday’s event included a presentation by Jessica Yee, founder and executive director of the Native Youth Sexual Health Network.
Her presentation included a short film and a talk about her experiences working with youth in Aboriginal communities.
Support workers from the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre were also present at all events held on campus.
Michelle Blackburn, a third-year Carleton student and a member of the coalition, said it’s advocating for a student-run, university-funded sexual assault centre, which she relates to a safe-way house where students can come and talk to others on a more peer-to-peer basis.
“Everyone has a part to play, language is powerful. We all have a responsibility to think about what we’re saying and to change that dialogue,” Macaulay said.