Showing posts with label violence against women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label violence against women. Show all posts
Friday, April 17, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Don't Rape
I was weeding out old emails from my inbox today when I came across this. I received the following message in an email last year amidst the numerous reports of violence against women at the York U Keele Campus:
Open letter from Graduate Women’s Studies Students Association to the York Community.
Re: sexual assaults on campus.
We’re writing this letter because we’re angry.
Why?
First, because women at York are being attacked, sexually assaulted and raped. Like everyone, we have the right to study and work without fear of violence.
Second, we’re angry because instead of hearing a loud and repeated condemnation of sexual assault, we’re told how to avoid being raped. York administration’s security bulletin calls on us to be “vigilant” about our safety. Women have heard this before: don’t make the same mistakes as ‘those’ women; don’t go out alone at night; don’t be in the wrong place at the wrong time; basically, don’t get raped.
We’re angry because this is about our bodies, our lives, our dignity. But our anger about York’s official response does not stop with administrators: when they imply the perpetrators are strangers with no ties to York, no one has to take responsibility. Rape is a public relations nightmare, but denying its rootedness in the York community will not protect us.
Sexual assault and rape at York is done by people from York. We’re angry because we want to trust the people we live, work and study with. We want to be in a community that does not tell us, tacitly or officially, “don’t get raped,” but instead, values women enough to say, “don’t rape.” Rape is not accidental, and it is not isolated. It thrives in a culture that is tolerant of violence, especially violence against women. Currently, it thrives here, at York.
We want this culture to change, and that takes work. Security cameras and extra lighting are not the kind of “vigilance” we need.
We want to feel safe and respected. So you be vigilant: don’t rape.
The GWSSA
- Alice
Open letter from Graduate Women’s Studies Students Association to the York Community.
Re: sexual assaults on campus.
We’re writing this letter because we’re angry.
Why?
First, because women at York are being attacked, sexually assaulted and raped. Like everyone, we have the right to study and work without fear of violence.
Second, we’re angry because instead of hearing a loud and repeated condemnation of sexual assault, we’re told how to avoid being raped. York administration’s security bulletin calls on us to be “vigilant” about our safety. Women have heard this before: don’t make the same mistakes as ‘those’ women; don’t go out alone at night; don’t be in the wrong place at the wrong time; basically, don’t get raped.
We’re angry because this is about our bodies, our lives, our dignity. But our anger about York’s official response does not stop with administrators: when they imply the perpetrators are strangers with no ties to York, no one has to take responsibility. Rape is a public relations nightmare, but denying its rootedness in the York community will not protect us.
Sexual assault and rape at York is done by people from York. We’re angry because we want to trust the people we live, work and study with. We want to be in a community that does not tell us, tacitly or officially, “don’t get raped,” but instead, values women enough to say, “don’t rape.” Rape is not accidental, and it is not isolated. It thrives in a culture that is tolerant of violence, especially violence against women. Currently, it thrives here, at York.
We want this culture to change, and that takes work. Security cameras and extra lighting are not the kind of “vigilance” we need.
We want to feel safe and respected. So you be vigilant: don’t rape.
The GWSSA
- Alice
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
WEN-DO Women’s Self Defense
A few years ago I took a wen-do course with a girlfriend. It was a great opportunity to talk about women's safety in an empowering and fun way. The physical techniques are practical and easy to learn.
Check out this free wen-do event happening on campus:
WEN-DO Women’s Self Defense
Sponsored by SASSL
This is a FREE event!
Dates: March 7th and March 14th
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Room 313 Student Centre, York University
Wen-Do Women's Self Defence is a registered charity and the oldest women's self defence organization in Canada.
For more information visit the website: www.wendo.ca
In the 2-day Wen-Do Workshop, you will:
* Learn simple, effective physical self-defence techniques
* Explore verbal self defence - reasoning, confronting, using surprise, and more...
* Discuss issues of violence against women and girls in a supportive setting
* Share inspiring real-life stories of resistance!
Classes are small, safe, non-competitive, and fun! Wen-Do is accessible to women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities. The workshop will be facilitated by Denise Handlarski.
To register or if you have any questions, contact SASSL at sassl@yorku.ca
SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS' SUPPORT LINE
Office: B 449 Student Centre, York University
Phone: 416-736-2100 ext. 40345
24-Hour Support Line: 416-650-8056
Website: www.yorku.ca/sassl
-Iris
Check out this free wen-do event happening on campus:
WEN-DO Women’s Self Defense
Sponsored by SASSL
This is a FREE event!
Dates: March 7th and March 14th
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Room 313 Student Centre, York University
Wen-Do Women's Self Defence is a registered charity and the oldest women's self defence organization in Canada.
For more information visit the website: www.wendo.ca
In the 2-day Wen-Do Workshop, you will:
* Learn simple, effective physical self-defence techniques
* Explore verbal self defence - reasoning, confronting, using surprise, and more...
* Discuss issues of violence against women and girls in a supportive setting
* Share inspiring real-life stories of resistance!
Classes are small, safe, non-competitive, and fun! Wen-Do is accessible to women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities. The workshop will be facilitated by Denise Handlarski.
To register or if you have any questions, contact SASSL at sassl@yorku.ca
SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS' SUPPORT LINE
Office: B 449 Student Centre, York University
Phone: 416-736-2100 ext. 40345
24-Hour Support Line: 416-650-8056
Website: www.yorku.ca/sassl
-Iris
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