New Sexual Violence Awareness course available online
The University of Manitoba is committed to providing all students, faculty and staff with a safe environment in which to learn, teach, work and live. This means creating a campus that is free from all forms of sexual violence – including sexual harassment and assault.
Students, faculty and staff all have a role to play in addressing sexual violence and supporting survivors. UM has created a number of resources to raise awareness about what sexual violence is and how we as a community can take action against it.
One of the resources available is the online Sexual Violence Awareness course, which is accessible through UM Learn. Originally launched in March 2019, the course has been updated with new material and includes a new module on the Sexual Violence Resource Centre, revised guidelines and policy changes, as well as enhanced content on consent and power differentials.
“The modules provide helpful and practical information on preventing and responding to sexual violence, guidelines on how to interact with each other respectfully, and resources students, staff and faculty can use personally or if supporting someone else,” says Laurie Schnarr, Vice-Provost (Students), and co-chair of the Sexual Violence Steering Committee. “They don’t require a large time commitment and are always available on UM Learn so members of the University community can return to them anytime.”
The video-based course features students, faculty and staff from across the university explaining what sexual violence is, along with animation and infographics on how to navigate some of the common scenarios one might encounter at university.
“We are committed to fostering and supporting a respectful work and learning environment and these modules are one of the tools in place to help us raise awareness on the topic and supports in place for everyone in our community,” adds Darlene Smith, Associate Vice-President (Human Resources) and co-chair of the Sexual Violence Steering Committee.
The course begins with a community values statement expressing the UM’s shared beliefs and covers the following topics:
Policies and Procedures
This module highlights key information about the Respectful Work and Learning Environment Policy, the Sexual Violence Policy and the procedures associated with each policy. It also outlines the options available to someone who has experienced sexual violence.
Consent and Power Differentials
This module focuses on the importance of consent in developing and maintaining healthy work and learning relationships. Consent and power differentials are explained in relation to the university’s conflict of interest policy. Several case studies are included that involve common situations that students, staff and faculty members might encounter, along with three potential response options that encourage the viewer to think about the limitations and advantages of each one.
Sexual Violence Myths
Various myths about sexual violence are examined and debunked.
Sexual Violence Resource Centre
This module introduces UM’s Sexual Violence Resource Centre, a survivor-centred resource with a trauma-informed perspective that offers confidential support to students, staff and faculty members who have experienced sexual violence.
The new modules are more inclusive, clearer in content and more engaging. Even if you’ve already watched them, it’s worthwhile to review them again.
Sign in to UM Learn scroll down to “My Courses” and choose “Sexual Violence Awareness – Fall 2020” to take the online course.