Staff and students at Lethbridge College are learning how to unravel the myths and stereotypes of sexual assault and sexual abuse.
The First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse workshop was held over two days at the college this week.
The seminar goes over the values and beliefs that justify and normalize sexual violence in any form.
“It starts with communication skills; how would you respond appropriately, because there are key messages that really portray that you’re support and then there is also language that really can re-traumatize someone,” said Harmoni Jones, Lethbridge College’s health promotion coordinator.
Jones added that the course runs a lifespan, starting with children who are abused, adults who were abused as children as well as adults who are abused.
One common thing seen with victims of sexual assault is victim blaming, the seminar covers how to avoid that.
“[We focus on] rethinking prevention, looking at all of those prevention tips like ‘don’t wear clothes that are revealing’ or ‘watch your drink’ or ‘don’t go out at night’, re-looking at those and how those actually perpetuate this belief that the victim is in the wrong and looking at what actual prevention is.”
Lethbridge College brought the program in as part of their sexual violence prevention policy.
The seminar will be held a few more times throughout the year, is free of charge and open to all staff and students who want to learn how to support victims.
“I want there to be a culture of believing, not just within our communities as a whole but within the post-secondary institution where I work,” said Nichole Covey, facilitator for the sexual violence training and instructor at Lethbridge College said.
Throughout the month the college will be hosting more seminars that will cover a range of topics in the same field, Man Up!, and a healthy relationship resource fair will be taking place at the college before the end of the month.
