Blog

Let’s Talk about *Consent*

February 7, 2017

By Sharyn Carroll

Rape;  \rap\~ [noun]

The word rape originally comes the Latin “rapere” – meaning to abduct, grab or snatch. Somewhere along our linguistic evolution, its meaning morphed to include intimidating, threatening or forcing someone to have sexual intercourse.

Sexual assault replaced the term “rape” in 1983, under the Criminal Code of Canada.  In doing so, we are able to recognize that assaults that are sexual in their nature are not about the act of intercourse but exist on a broader spectrum. This can include inappropriate or unwanted touching, harassment, verbal threats, coercion and physically forcing, with or without a weapon, someone to perform a sexual act. Using this term gives validation to those that have experienced sexual violence while broadening our understanding of our intrinsic human rights.

Let us not forget that the most important verb, when navigating our way through intimacy, is consent. Every time, all the time. Consent is sexy!

The End Before the Beginning – by Kate Maurice

The End Before the Beginning – by Kate Maurice

As Pass It On draws to a close for another year, I find myself in that same parallel of emotions I feel every year at this time. I am sad to part ways with the young women I've spent the past year with. Although we live in a small town and see each other often here...

“Less Guilt, More Joy!” – Valdi – By Kate Maurice

“Less Guilt, More Joy!” – Valdi – By Kate Maurice

  Working as a mentor supervisor I enjoy a position with the unique perspective of 28 young women ranging in age from 13-18 years old. I see many sides of these young women as we grow to know each other. Where often their insecurity is what drives their...

Yes, It Happens Here

Yes, It Happens Here

A Salt Spring Island campaign taking place with the aim to address stereotypes and silence regarding crime and victims of crime in our community.  SWOVA’s Salish Sea Girls’ Leadership Project secured the funding from the Federal Ministry of Justice to run the campaign...

Weekend of Entertainment, Workshops, Recognition and Celebration

Weekend of Entertainment, Workshops, Recognition and Celebration

International Women’s Day March 8, 2014 For over one hundred years, International Women’s Day (IWD) has been a day of celebration and recognition to mark exceptional achievements of women and to build on inequities still to be addressed.  This year SWOVA, IWAV, Victim...

Grand Theft Auto – by Christina Antonick

In one of our Grade 10 Respectful Relationships workshops this past week, we spoke with youth about our 5-month social justice youth facilitator training that we do on Monday evenings after school. Our R+R Youth Team co- facilitate sessions with the Adult Facilitators...

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.