Taking action on gender-based violence

Statement from President Hall

Every December, the University of Victoria takes time to pay homage to the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women (NDRAVAW), which honours 14 women who were killed and 14 other individuals who were injured due to gender-based violence at École Polytechnique de Montréal on a day we all remember in the year 1989.

On the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the University of Victoria:

• Commits to continue to actively work towards eliminating gender-based violence
• Recognizes that gender-based violence affects women and other marginalized gender types and sexual orientations
• Recognizes that those at an intersection of gender type and sexualized orientation and other equity-deserving identity types, such as race or disability may have amplified negative impact
• Turns our thoughts to all impacted by gender-based violence, honour spirits lost, those healing, along with families still grieving

We all have a role to play in eliminating gender-based violence. We are accountable to ensure we behave ethically and respectfully, knowing we will be held accountable for our actions, especially if they caused harm. We openly and honestly bring forward situations of violence and harm to work collectively for healing, learning, and growth. We all need to commit to collectively ensuring a safe community where everyone can thrive as their true, authentic selves. We must stand together against the growing wave of intolerance, misogyny and hate—now more than ever.

There are many ways at UVic to learn about and take action against gender-based violence:

Anti-Violence Project (AVP)

The Anti-Violence Project is committed to addressing and ending gender-based and sexualized violence on campus and beyond. As part of their many offerings, AVP offers a Men’s Circle intended to break down limiting, rigid and dominant views and expectations of masculinity.

Sexualized Violence Resource Office (SVRO)

At the Sexualized Violence Resource Office you can get information, advice, and support on preventing and responding to sexualized violence. The team provides non-judgemental support and helps you understand your options. You can book a confidential consultation or make an anonymous disclosure.

Let’s get consensual

Let’s get consensual is a student-led movement that raises awareness about how to practice consent so as to prevent sexualized violence.

Gender Empowerment Centre (GEM)

The Gender Empowerment Centre is an inclusive space, focused on the needs of self-identified women, non-binary, trans and gender non-conforming folks to organize, network, access resources, attend workshops and events, study and relax.

Become knowledgeable about UVIC's EDI related policies

UVic has several Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) related policies that staff, professors, and students must adhere to. Spend some time in self-reflection as you read on “Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Policy”, “Discrimination and Harassment Prevention and Response Policy”, or many of the others

If you have personally been affected by gender-based violence, please know that UVic has wellness resources available to you, whether you are a student, staff or faculty. We care about your well-being.

I want to personally thank the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science for organizing the university’s event to mark NDRAVAW. UVic held this event on Dec. 4—two days before the national day. We cancelled classes during the event and held it on the last instructional day of the term to allow all students, staff and faculty to attend and honour the day. Visit UVic on Instagram to watch a reel of the day.

This year, UVic’s event included a short speaking program and reflective walk, followed by the opportunity to participate in a sharing circle. Signs with the names of the 14 women who were murdered were held along the vigil along with a candle, so we could honour and remember them each in turn.

As a personal reflection during this time, I recall being only a few hours away at another University as a new faculty member. There was a large contingent of female engineers in my class when news arrived of the massacre. Everything halted in that moment. A collective fear, sadness and helplessness settled deep, and I don’t think it ever fully lifted.

The atrocities of Dec. 6, 1989 must never be repeated on a university campus or elsewhere. Together, we can build a safer UVic to help ensure it doesn't. Thank you for pausing to learn more about gender-based violence, and for taking action against it.

Kevin Hall
President and Vice-Chancellor