Experienced social worker and therapist hired to lead sexual violence response, education and prevention initiatives at BU

BRANDON, Man. – Brandon University has hired a new full-time Sexual Violence, Education and Prevention Coordinator.

Carla Navid, a social worker and therapist with experience supporting survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, has filled the new position, and started Monday. Navid becomes a point of contact for members of the Brandon University (BU) community on issues of sexual violence. She will also guide the development and implementation of survivor-centred response protocols and lead education and prevention efforts on sexual and gender-based violence.

Navid, who’s originally from Wawanesa, Man., has a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Minot State University. She’s been a Brandon therapist in private practice for eight years, with a background in dealing with gender-based and sexual violence, and she previously worked as director of a crisis centre in California.

Navid is experienced working with Indigenous peoples and has incorporated traditional practices into her work, partnering with First Nations healers and elders to provide services for her clients. For the past three years, Navid has also taught counselling courses at BU, in the Clinical Specialization stream of Native Studies.

“I see this as a great opportunity to work with the Brandon University community to promote a culture of consent and prevention of sexual violence,” Navid said. “It’s exciting to be part of creating something new that will work for the betterment of students and staff. I plan to play a very active role in ensuring that the University supports survivors, educates students, faculty and staff and prevents sexual violence.”

Reporting to Vice-President, Academic and Provost Steven Robinson, Navid will serve as secretary on BU’s Sexual Assault Advisory Group (formerly the Sexual Violence and Harassment Advisory Committee). Chaired by Robinson, the Advisory Group will develop new sexual violence and harassment response and prevention policy and protocols. Navid will develop training and education materials for students, faculty and staff related to sexual violence prevention and education, and will lead efforts to communicate available resources to survivors.

Navid will also follow-up with survivors to evaluate the use and effectiveness of resources, collect data on reports of sexual and gender-based violence, and will develop and implement strategies to guide future policy and protocols.

“We are elated to have someone of Carla’s calibre lead our efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence. Her experience in clinical work and training others will be invaluable resources, and her familiarity with BU will give her the ability to make a positive difference immediately,” Robinson said.

“Our Sexual Assault Advisory Group will take on a considerable workload in the coming months, and we will rely heavily on Carla’s expertise.”

With membership comprised of students, faculty and staff, as well as advice from external experts in the field, the Advisory Group will create a draft policy to be ready for BU community consultation in September. The Advisory Group will remain in place as a standing committee and will evaluate the effectiveness of the new policy, which will be revisited after one year.

Navid will review and be involved in the finalization of the Advisory Group’s terms of reference. The Advisory Group will begin meeting shortly, with full details on its plans and activities to follow in the coming weeks.

Contact