The Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Office and the SAFE (Sexual Assault Free Environment) Peer Team* invites you to participate in We Believe You Day.

On Sept. 20, the University of Guelph is joining campuses across Ontario to participate in #WeBelieveYou Day to raise awareness about sexual and gender-based violence and to show solidarity with survivors. On #WeBelieveYou day, we will commit to one simple idea: when a survivor of sexual assault discloses, we say we believe them.

Historically, survivors have been afraid to disclose experiences of sexual and gender-based violence for fear of not being believed or blamed. It’s one of many reasons why only 6% of sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2019). That number is strikingly low when statistics illustrate that 1 in 3 women, 1 in 2 trans/non-binary people and 1 in 6 men experiencing sexual abuse/assault in their lifetime. Students are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence and an estimated 70% have experienced or witnessed unwanted sexual behaviours at a post-secondary institution (Statistics Canada, 2020).

#WeBelieveYou Day recognizes that in order to make an integral shift to create cultures of consent on campus, the whole community must participate in fostering an environment where survivors feel safe and blameless when coming forward to report incidents of sexual assault.

On We Believe You Day, we will unite students, staff, faculty and community members in showing public support for survivors through our words and actions in an effort to make our campus and community safer for everyone.

How can you participate:

Join us to show your support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence on #WeBelieveYou Day by:

1. Visiting Johnston Green between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to learn more about sexual violence supports and education on campus and to write your own letter to survivors to be displayed on campus.
2. Creating a post or video of what #WeBelieveYou day means to you to post on social media tagging #WeBelieveYou and @wellness_uofg.
3. Reaching out to Jensen, the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Education Coordinator (jwilli20@uoguelph.ca), to inquire about education and training opportunities available for you to learn more about how to provide supportive responses to disclosures of sexual assault.
4. Sharing information with your office, department, club or group about #WeBelieveYou day and encourage them to participate.

*The SAFE Peer team is a student-led peer team who focuses on developing and delivering sexual and gender-based violence prevention and education initiatives