Humber College residence puts the power in students’ hands
Humber Residence is facilitating training for sexual assault prevention and defence for the first time this year.
The training is designed to protect, inform, prevent and educate students on sexual assault. It hopes to give students the information they need on what they can do to further their safety and the safety of others. Training is divided into two sections.
Residence life coordinator Meaghan McNeil broke down what each training will consist of.
“Bringing in the bystander training is the information aspect. It teaches you what to look out for and that it’s okay to intervene if you think a situation is potentially dangerous. Woman’s [Rape Aggression Defence] training is how to physically protect yourself,” said McNeil.
Bringing in the bystander training is an information session that contains interactive activities. The activities help students to build empathy and become aware of warning signs that could potentially lead to sexual assault. The Rape Aggression Defence training is a useful tool that shows woman basic moves on how to get out of a physical situation.
The new training sessions hope to diminish prior stigma and get students talking about a serious issue in College campuses.
“The stigma around sexual assault on Humber’s campus is tremendous. Humber is working so hard to erase that stigma and allow survivors to feel more comfortable coming forward and accepting support,” said resident assistant Reid McRob.
For Humber Residence, the safety of students is number one. There is an experienced staff of over 33 people consisting of resident assistants, residence community assistants and residence life coordinators who all have first aid, CPR, mental health and bringing in the bystander training.
Everyone plays a role in preventing and ending violence against men and women. Education gives people the confidence they need to make a change. said McRob
Humber residence is taking it a step further from prior years by continuing the “can I kiss you?” mandatory presentation but using it as a base of knowledge and introductory program to the serious topic. Founder and presenter of the “can I kiss you?” presentation Mike Domitrz, gets students thinking about how they can help and why it is so important. The ongoing training will then give the students the resources, further information and confidence to actually do something in a violent situation.
All training sessions will take place at the North Campus residence in T132. Dates and times are available on the Humber residence’s website and at the R building front desk.
To put the power in your own hands and become an active by stander visit: www.humber.ca/student-life/sexual-assault/awareness/register or if you or someone you know needs support regarding sexual assault please visit: http://www.humber.ca/student-life/sexual-assault/.
About the Author
Mellisa Coe is a caffeine dependant sports lover. She hopes to convince enough people in her lifetime that her name is suppose to be spelt that way and that the Toronto Maple Leafs will win another Stanley Cup.
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