Brandon University to launch #IBelieveYou Campaign for Sexual Assault Awareness

The Brandon University Sexual Violence Education and Prevention Office is launching the “I Believe You” Campaign to kick off our 2018-2019 Academic Year. It comes with a simple yet powerful message: when survivors of sexual assault disclose… believe them. Once survivors hear this, they are more likely to come forward. Campaigns like this that aim to increase public support for survivors show a marked increase in sexual assault reporting, making our community safer for everyone.

The campaign will launch on the BU campus on September 11, 2018.

Historically, survivors have been afraid to disclose for fear of not being believed or blamed. That fear is fading with other initiatives like Bystander Training, which encourages us that one way to be an active bystander is to believe a survivor who comes forward. When we see an increase in reporting, we know we’re doing a better job of helping survivors feel safe. And this builds a safer, healthier community for everyone. To learn more, visit the BU #IBelieveYou page

Background

This campaign was developed by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services and first launched in 2015 and will be finishing its final year in 2018. Since then, millions of individuals from post-secondary institutions, business, community and student leaders, politicians and media personalities have participated with powerful messages of support.

Here are some ways you can show your support:

• Stop by the #IBelieveYou selfie booth in our Courtyard on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 from 11:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m. and upload a picture with your #IBelieveYou Temporary Tattoo. The Farm 101.1 FM and Star 97.4 FM radio stations have partnered to join the cause and their cruisers will be live on location, handing out free Subway coupons and other goodies for those in attendance.
• Add your message of support to our BU #IBelieveYou video featuring BU Members from all across our campus. Check out University of Calgary’s #IBelieveYou video.
• Stop by the #IBelieveYou Community Booth from 9 am – 3 p.m. on September 13, 2018 in the Mingling Area of the Knowles-Douglas Building (in front of Forbidden Flavors).
• Check out the posters hung around common areas of our campus (take a pic with one!) and upload a message of support for survivors.
• Sign up for Bystander Training on our campus to learn how to intervene and prevent a sexual assault before it happens.
  • For Faculty and Staff
    • Full list of 2018/19 Workshops and other Learning Opportunities
  • For Students: Next training will be:
    • Darrach Hall Residence — September 11, 2018 -6-9 PM
    • Flora Cowan Residence — September 13, 2018 6-9 PM
    • Contact Carla Navid, Sexual Violence Education Prevention Coordinator to register, at navidc@brandonu.ca
• Add your Voice to the Chorus of Support for Survivors: Upload your own selfie to your social media accounts with a message of support for survivors. Remember to post using the #IBelieveYou hashtag.

Any member of the Brandon University community who has experienced sexualized violence or who has questions about sexualized violence is encouraged to access the services available through the Sexual Violence Education Prevention Program.

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