This article contains details about sexual assault that may be disturbing or triggering to some.
The Cornell incident, around the alleged gang-rape of a then-20-year old student at a fraternity house in Cornell University, has been at the forefront of headlines around the world in recent days. The student, known as “Jane Doe”, recently filed a lawsuit in which she claimed to have been drugged with alcohol and ketamine and was then raped over the course of several hours at a frat house in 2024.
The alleged assault fell under a timeframe commonly known as the “red zone”. For the first six to eight weeks, and particularly amongst first-year students, there is an increased risk of sexualized violence.
In a recent board meeting, the Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response office (SVPR) held a roundtable discussing the sexual violence data they had compiled from the previous academic year. The annual report includes data on disclosures of violence, support that was accessed, including support with housing and finances, and outreach activities hosted by the office.
Amber Huve, who manages education and resources at the SVPR, and her partner Chelsea Koronko, who supports students, work around the clock to educate and share resources with students.
“More students start in the September than the January semester,” said Huve. “First year students are most at risk. They’re generally newer to the community and have less experience with alcohol and substances and relationships.”
A lack of awareness of available resources and supports also makes first-year students easier targets during the red zone. However, the majority of students who do end up visiting the SVPR office come from orientation.
“Students really want more support and education around digital violence,” said Huve.
A draft written by Huve outlines the SVPR’s plans during the red zone. Programming includes multiple ambassador tabling events throughout the several weeks, workshops, and peer mentorship programs. Events also took place at the beginning of the school year.
Huve said she wants to increase the reach of the SVPR office, as many students may not even be aware such an office exists.
“We’re trying to bump up our visibility,” said the SVPR manager. “Trying to up our presence in small, meaningful ways.”
She notes that many professors have even come forward asking the SVPR office to speak to their class. One professor in particular has asked the SVPR office to come to five classes every semester. While the presentations are only fifteen minutes long, Huve says the SVPR office always has students visit them after the presentation.
“Based on that little 15-minute spiel we give, we always get students coming in afterwards,” said Huve. “I think that face-to-face time really counts for a lot.”
The SVPR is also able to advertise themselves through their involvement in the Back to School BBQ and other events in the first few weeks of the new academic year.
A big move by the B.C. government involved funding the Ending Violence Association of B.C. to create a campaign for bystander intervention for any post-secondary institution. It includes posters, reels and social media content, particularly for smaller offices. Since the TRU SVPR office consists only of Huve and Koronko, they considered it a win.
All items such as posters, materials and even swag were funded. The only downside was that the rollout time is now set for January instead of October through November, since they don’t have materials.
“It would have been excellent timing,” Huve said. “Yet to know that they [Ending Violence Association of B.C.] has put all their knowledge behind it, I really trust the content.”
The SVPR expects the materials and campaign to successfully start in January, with more information slowly being rolled out as they receive it.
More information about past surveys and reports can be found on the SVPR website. https://www.tru.ca/current/wellness/sexual-violence.html