Sexual Violence Resource Centre opens
A central hub that provides support and education to students, faculty, staff
The University of Manitoba is pleased to open the Sexual Violence Resource Centre (SVRC) to the UM community on Jan. 27th. The SVRC will provide students, faculty and staff access to a team of experts who will answer questions, provide information, and most importantly, offer a supportive and well-informed response to survivors of sexual violence. UM is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the campus community, and the launch of the SVRC contributes significantly toward advancing this institutional priority.
One of the recommendations made in Responding to Sexual Violence, Harassment & Discrimination at The University Of Manitoba: A Path Forward, was to create a Sexual Violence Resource Centre, which would serve as a single point of contact for all members of the UM community affected by sexual violence. As the central hub for the University, the SVRC will help survivors to navigate the sexual violence process, provide information on mechanisms of support, and ensure there is appropriate follow-up.
“The launch of the new Sexual Violence Resource Centre is an important milestone as we work toward implementing the recommendations noted in the A Path Forward report,” says Laurie Schnarr, Vice-Provost (Students) and co-chair of UM’s Sexual Violence Steering Committee. “Through this centre, UM will offer students, faculty and staff access to coordinated services, and a team of experts who will answer questions, deliver supportive and well-informed responses to those who have experienced sexual violence, and implement a range of education, outreach and prevention strategies.”
The SVRC is led by two new staff members with significant expertise in the design and delivery of trauma-based support for victims of sexual violence: Bre Woligroski, Sexual Violence Resource Centre Coordinator, and Courtney Klassen, Confidential Intake and Triage Specialist. Bre Woligroski answers some key questions about the SVRC here.
The SVRC is located at 537 UMSU University Centre and can be accessed via phone, email, on a drop-in basis, or by appointment by contacting Courtney Klassen, Confidential Intake and Triage Specialist, at svrc@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-6562.