16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Listen and learn from Dr. Sarah Hunt's podcast episode (external link, opens in new window)  about resurgent cultures of consent, decolonizing rape culture, bodily sovereignty, and community organizing.

Reflection questions

1. How can you expand your practice of consent in all areas of your life? (This could be internally, interpersonally, politically, ecologically, etc.) 
2. In reflecting on how gender-based violence is rooted in colonialism, are there Eurocentric beliefs or standards that come to mind that perpetuate rape culture?

Additional Resources

1.  (PDF file) Violence on the Land, Violence on our Bodies: Building an Indigenous Response to Environmental Violence Report & Toolkit (external link, opens in new window) 
2. It Starts with Us (external link, opens in new window) 

Watch this video by 2SLBGTQ+ youth about gender-based violence (external link, opens in new window)  and read a two part blog post about intimate partner violence (IPV) within the 2SLBGTQ+ community. Part one of the blog post (external link, opens in new window)  discusses the prevalence and unique experiences of intimate partner violence within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Part two of the blog post (external link)  discusses the history of systemic violence towards the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Canada, and how that history contextualizes current violence and barriers for 2SLGBTQ+ survivors attempting to access justice and healing.

Reflection Questions

1. How do you think queerphobia and transphobia intersect with gender-based violence?
2. Do you have any assumptions about gender-based violence, including the gender of perpetrators and survivors? How might these assumptions impact our ability to support all survivors?
3. How do you cultivate safety within your 2SLGBTQ+ spaces and beyond?

Additional Resources

1. Canadian Women’s Foundation:  (PDF file) Queering Gender-based Violence Prevention & Response in Canada (external link, opens in new window) 
2. Wisdom 2 Action:  (PDF file) LGBTQ+ Youth Priorities for Addressing Gender-based Violence (external link, opens in new window) 
   

Forced marriage is a form of domestic violence and a global human rights issue. Forced marriage is characterized by coercion, where individuals are forced to marry against their will, under duress and/or without full, free, and informed consent from both parties. Men and women of all ages, from varied cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds are subjected to forced marriage. In addition to the continued coercion, survivors of forced marriage face long-term consequences such as estrangement or strained relationships with their family and community.

Read this  (PDF file) brochure from the Forced Marriage Project (external link, opens in new window)  that provides information on and resources around the issue of forced marriages.

Additional Resources

1. A Forced Marriages Unit (FMU) is established in the UK (external link, opens in new window) 
   

Listen to one of the following podcasts:

1. Burn It All Down Podcast: Interview: Jennifer Doyle on the Structures of Sexual Assault in Sport (external link) 
2. Burn It All Down: Episode 66 (external link) , a discussion of #UsToo and the importance of men in the fight against toxic and violent misogyny.

Reflection Questions

1. How does misogyny show up in sports culture?
2. How does sport culture play a role in our image of self, our opportunities, and our status?
3. What are some of the ways you see misogyny taking place within sports and sports culture? How do you think we can make changes to address these issues?

Additional resources

1. Dr Brigid McCarthy (2021). Olympic skating reveals lurking misogyny. (external link) 
2. Open Access Government (2022). Misogyny towards women’s sports is common amongst male fans. (external link) 
3. Devra Bollareddy (2022). 8 Instances of Sexism in Sport. (external link) 

Self-care can be an essential part of healing and resilience. It allows us to gently tend to our emotional and physical needs, creating a space where we can process pain and regain strength at our own pace. Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s a necessary act of compassion toward ourselves, helping us reconnect with our inner resources and cultivate the balance needed to move forward. By prioritizing self-care, we nurture the foundation for recovery, empowering ourselves to heal and grow even in the midst of difficult experiences.

Reflection Questions:

1. What specific self-soothing practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to support your emotional well-being?
2. In what ways can you offer yourself the same kindness and understanding you would extend to a friend in distress?
3. As you reflect on your journey, what thoughts or beliefs might be hindering your ability to show yourself compassion, and how can you gently challenge them?

Additional Resources:

1. Brene Brown: The Gifts of Imperfection (external link, opens in new window) 
2. Mindful Self Compassion with Dr. Kristin Neff (external link, opens in new window) 
3. Listen to the Healing Comes in Waves Podcast Episode: Trusting Yourself After Trauma (external link, opens in new window) 

Gender-based violence is a pressing issue that disproportionately affects international students in Canadian post-secondary institutions. Many of these students face unique challenges, such as cultural isolation, limited awareness of available support resources, and difficulties navigating campus systems. Research indicates that these factors contribute to an increased risk of gender-based violence among this population (Satyen et al., 2020; Beine & Noël, 2018).

International students may encounter language barriers and cultural differences, alongside an unfamiliar legal environment. This underscores the importance of creating a supportive and educational atmosphere. Alarmingly, studies reveal that nearly 1 in 5 international students report experiencing some form of gender-based violence during their time in Canada (Chen et al., 2021), and it is crucial to recognize that many cases go unreported.

For more information and resources on supporting international students and addressing gender-based violence, please refer to this resource.

Supporting International Students Affected by GBV (external link, opens in new window) 

Watch this panel on Criminalizing HIV (external link) .

Reflection questions

1. How do you believe a person’s social location (e.g. gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, etc.) can affect their access to HIV testing, care, treatment and support, as well as their navigation of HIV criminalization? 
2. How can you and your community advocate to destigmatize HIV and for policy and law reforms against HIV criminalization? 

Additional Resources

1. Article: Canadian HIV criminalization laws increase violence against women living with HIV by Mariah Wilberg 
2. Fact Sheet: (PDF file)  Women and the Criminalization of HIV Non-Disclosure (external link, opens in new window)  by the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
3. Position Paper: A Feminist Approach to Law Reform on HIV Non-Disclosure (external link)  by Women’s Legal Education & Action Fund

Listen to Rhiannon Wong's podcast episode (external link, opens in new window)  to learn about technology-facilitated gender-based violence in Canada. This episode covers what tech-facilitated GBV is, its impacts and pervasiveness, and actionable steps for the public to end this violence. Other episodes in this podcast series cover intersecting topics like queerphobic harassment online, misogynoir in digital spaces, and being a young person facing digital abuse.

Reflection Questions

1. What does safety mean to you in the online spaces that you participate in?
2. How have you witnessed or experienced consent being used or not used in the digital realm? How have these experiences impacted your digital presence and community?

Additional Resources

1. Digitally Informed Youth: Resources (external link, opens in new window) 
2. Tech Safety Canada: Technology Safety and Privacy Toolkit (external link, opens in new window) 
3. Ran Hu, Rupaleem Bhuyan, Jori Jones, & Judith Logan: Digital Technology’s Complex Role in Facilitating and Responding to Gender-Based Violence among (Im) migrants: A Scoping Review (external link, opens in new window) 
   

Listen to the Healing Comes in Waves Podcast Episode: Trusting Yourself After Trauma (external link, opens in new window) 

Reflection Questions

1. What is getting in the way of your ability to listen to and trust in yourself?
2. What beliefs do you currently hold that limit your ability to heal?
3. In what ways can you protect your energy?

Additional Resources

1. Matilda aka Matt Berstein Sycamore: Dangerous Families: Queer Writing on Surviving
2. The Women’s Center. The Wednesday Workshop Podcast. (external link)  
3. Blue Knot Foundation. Ways to ground yourself when your stress response is activated. (external link) 
4. Me too, Survivor Healing series: Voice, Choice and Boundaries. (external link)  (VIDEO 1 hr)

Listen to the Healing Comes in Waves Podcast Episode: Cultivating Pleasure (external link, opens in new window) 

Reflection Questions

1. What are some of the ways you can explore non-sexual pleasure?
2. What mainstream values and beliefs around pleasure stop you from experiencing it?
3. How can you invite the concept of play back into your life as an adult? (Hint: try making a list of things you used to do or  have always wanted to try)

Additional Resources

1. Jamie Windust (2021) How do you have sex after sexual assault? (external link) 
2. Instagram Page - healing sounds and affirmations. Bendecidx (external link) 
3. Sonder Wellness (2021). Ways to Practice Vulnerability. (external link) 
4. adrienne maree brown (2018). How to find pleasure when trauma and memory collide. (external link) 

Listen to the "Alright Now What?" podcast (Canadian Women's Foundation) Episode on “De-Platforming Misogyny”: How to Address Online Hate? - Episode 4 (external link) 

Reflection Questions

1. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence has the potential to threaten democracy. How can this be mitigated to encourage women and gender-diverse people to participate in political spaces?
2. What can be done to facilitate oversight on digital platforms that encourage or profit from technology-facilitated gender-based violence?
3. What is the balance to be struck between the proliferation of technological innovation and technology-facilitated gender-based violence?
4. How can we utilize substantive equality, human rights and intersectionality concepts to regulate technology-facilitated gender-based violence?

Join us for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Memorial on December 6th. Today, we honor the memory of the 14 young women who lost their lives in the 1989 École Polytechnique Massacre, a horrific act of violent misogyny.

Gender-based violence (external link, opens in new window) , both then and now, is rooted in systemic oppression upheld by patriarchy. This day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to confront and dismantle patriarchal violence (external link, opens in new window) , including gender-based violence.

As we reflect on this day, we not only remember the women from the Montreal Massacre but also acknowledge the acts of violence against women, trans people, and children across Canada and around the world over the past year.

Additional Resources:

1. The Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children (CREVAWC) (external link, opens in new window)  was founded in 1992 in response to a national study addressing violence against women, following the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre that claimed the lives of 14 women. CREVAWC's mission remains active today, as they respond to societal and judicial challenges that engage us in local, national, and global efforts to break the cycles of gender-based violence—in our homes, workplaces, and communities. There are lots of opportunities to participate in learning on their website.
   

For our December 7th Day of Action, we'll focus on how to figure out (and get!) what you want out of the relationships you are in. Most people believe it's important that others respect their boundaries, but how you go about identifying exactly what those boundaries are and communicating them to others is a different story. One tool that can be very helpful for identifying your boundaries in various situations is a Want, Will, Won't List, which can determine your sexual boundaries, relationship boundaries,  workplace boundaries... wherever you're currently struggling with. 

Check out the attached video or article to see exactly how this list works and create your own. If you want to go deep, we recommend you check out this Boundaries episode of the Queer Sex Ed podcast that goes into much more detail about communicating your boundaries and navigating boundary-related conflict. 

Resources:

1. Want/Will/Won’t Lists: A Helpful Consent Tool! (external link) 
   
2. How to Get the Sex You Want (external link)  
3. Boundaries - Queer Sex Ed: Episode 36 (external link) 

Reflection Boundaries - Queer Sex Ed: Episode 36Exercises:

1. Create a Want, Will, Won't List to identify the boundaries you have for one aspect of your life, like roommates, conflict, or what you need from your partner during exams.
2. Pick one of the boundaries you feel you haven't been able to communicate, and reflect on whether you would like to communicate it in the future and how you would safely express that boundary. Consider all possible responses to you setting that boundary and how (or if!) you would want to respond in turn.
3. If you want to go deeper, dive into what makes a boundary personal instead of something you force on someone else. There's a big difference between stating that you need to be alone as you walk to a quiet room and demanding that everyone in the house stop making any noise. Consider how you can enforce your wants and needs through your own actions, and examine the ways others in your life

Gender-Based Violence against Black Women (external link) 

Black women have experienced a wide range of forms of abuse, including labour, sexual, and medical exploitation, from historical descriptions of slave ownership to contemporary sociological criticism.

Hypersexualization and violence of Black womxn has a long history that dates back to the early 1500s, when Europeans first started enslaving Africans. The idea that black womxn were lust-driven and open to all sexual advances was propagated by the slave masters. This reasoning was used to justify raping them and forcing them have children with the male slaves. 

Today, discrimination, harassment, and violence against Black womxn are prevalent in every institution and setting, including schools, workplaces, policing systems, prisons, parole and probation, immigration, health care, and family and juvenile courts.

Black feminists have revealed how the war on Black women, girls, trans, and gender nonconforming people has been promoted and justified by persistent narratives framing Black womxn as inherently inhuman, sexually deviant and promiscuous, deranged, violent, predatory, deceitful, inviolable, and incapable of experiencing emotional or physical pain, and by establishing and maintaining the category of "woman" in opposition to—and to the exclusion of—Black womxn, trans, and asexual people.

Reflection questions

1. What are some ways that you can feel supported and safe as a Black woman? (either in general or on the TMU campus)/ What are some ways you can support Black survivors?
   
2. What changes would you need to see to feel that your well-being is a priority? (in your friend group, in your community, in your neighbourhood, in your school, in society, in this world)

Resources

1. Violence Against Black Women – Many Types, Far-reaching Effects - IWPR (external link) 
2. END THE WAR ON BLACK TRANS, QUEER, GENDER NON-CONFORMING AND INTERSEX PEOPLE - M4BL (external link) 
3. END THE WAR ON BLACK WOMEN - M4BL (external link) 

Listen to Healing Comes in Waves Podcast’s Navigating the Legal System Episode (external link, opens in new window)  and Restorative Justice Episode (external link, opens in new window) 

Reflection Questions

1. What does justice look like for me? (reporting, disclosing to family, restorative justice, punishment)
2. What is the connection between justice and healing for me?
3. How can I make sure my decisions are the most informed?
4. How can I ensure that my decisions prioritize me and my healing?

Additional Resources

1. Archway Society.  (PDF file) Surviving Sexual Assault-your options, your choice. (external link)  (PDF)
2. A podcast to explore the limitations of the justice system. Surviving Justice Podcast. (external link) 
3. Website: Walking you through the lawsuit process if you decide to sue.   (external link) 
4. What is Transformative Justice? (external link)  (VIDEO 10 min)
5. Courage To Act: Towards a Justice that Heals. (external link) 

Complete the module offered by Human Rights Services on the D2L

The Human Rights 101 eLearning course was developed by Human Rights Services to provide community members a basic understanding of rights and responsibilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code. The interactive module also introduces community members to the policies and services that exist at the university to protect and promote human rights, along with their obligation to uphold TMU's values of equity, diversity and inclusion and foster an environment free of discrimination, harassment and sexual violence.

You can access this course by enrolling in the Human Rights 101 eLearning course (opens in new window) .

If prompted, sign in with your my.ryerson login credentials.

1. Review the Course Description and click on "Enroll in Course" to complete enrollment.
2. Click “Open Course” and then click “Content” to advance to the eLearning Table of Contents.
3. Note: After enrolling, the course can be accessed from the D2L Brightspace homepage where it will be listed under "My Courses."