Colleges and institutes are often the primary access points to post-secondary education for vulnerable groups like women; Indigenous and racialized people; LGBTQ2+ and non-binary individuals; and newcomers. Statistically, these are also the same groups that are more likely to experience violence.
SDG 16 challenges us to promote peaceful and inclusive societies that ensure people all over the world can go about their lives free of fear from all forms of violence, no matter their gender, race, or sexual orientation. For colleges and institutes, that begins on campus. And it includes providing safe and inclusive spaces, resources to those in need, and equipping learners with the skills to help prevent future violence in their communities.
- At Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, administrators are turning their campus in a multi-platform awareness campaign about sexual violence. The new « La violence sexuelle … c’est non » (Sexual violence … The answer is no) campaign encourages healthy attitudes, practices, and behaviours around sexuality, and informs the college community about resources available to those experiencing sexual violence.
- At Holland College, the HC Safe app provides students and staff with important alerts and instant access to campus safety resources, emergency procedures as well as support services such as the Friend Walk feature.
- Similarly, at Red River College Polytechnic, students, staff, and visitors can request to be escorted safely between two points at the college’s Notre Dame or Exchange District campuses through the Safe Walk Program.
- At Humber College, the LGBTQ+ Resource Centre promotes safer, braver, positive spaces at the college. It also serves as a dedicated space for folks to connect with one another, access resources, and build community.
- At Cégep André-Laurendeau, the Bureau d’intervention et de prévention (Office for Intervention and Prevention) brings together services, resources and training related to the prevention of sexual violence, domestic or family violence.
Read also: As educators, colleges and institutes play a vital role in combatting systemic racism and discrimination. In areas like healthcare and public safety, they ensure that workers are given tools to protect public spaces against injustice, now and in the future. (SDG 10)
- That includes having policies in place that recognize systemic racism and discrimination and aim to address the challenges to success that BIPOC often face.
Safe spaces are essential spaces for learning. Our nearly 700 college and institute campuses across the country, aim to be those spaces at the heart of their communities.
Continue the conversation this week on Perspectives LIVE! The 2020’s have brought new meaning to the term ‘health and safety’. From mental health, the pandemic, and the alarming increase of violence, attending to health and safety on college and institute campuses has never been more important.
- Episode 3 of season 3 airs Wednesday. We’re asking experts: How can colleges and institutes better prepare and protect themselves while also providing safe spaces for their students, faculty, staff, and the communities they serve?