Sunday, December 19, 2010

Official statement on news of a sexual assault on Carleton University's campus

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre is appalled at the reporting of a sexual assault occurring on Carleton’s campus in 2009 by a reservist.

On December 13, 2010 the Ottawa Citizen reported that Patrick Humphreys sexually assaulted a womyn in the summer of 2009. Citing "six beers and one shot" as his reasoning, Humphreys’ followed up his assault with apologetic text messages saying that he hoped that his victim would not be upset with him.

As the only group on campus dedicated to sexual assault, the Coalition is appalled at the Citizen’s reporting of this case, where they give credence to Humphreys’ disturbing excuses and go so far as to refer to the assault as "kissing and intrusive sexual touching." Humphreys is being charged with sexual assault – why not call it what it is?

Furthermore, the Coalition is disgusted by Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey's comments, where she states that Humphreys is not a "sexual deviant" and that his assault is "every man’s worst nightmare." For a judge to take such a biased approach to a very serious crime is appalling and deplorable.

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre has been lobbying Carleton University since 2007 for the creation of a sexual assault centre on campus. Since this has not happened, Carleton is unable to offer the survivor of this assault a safe space for support.

As a group of dedicated volunteers and anti-violence activists, we call this incident what it is: a sexual assault by a person in power. For a judge to write it off as bad judgement and for the media to treat is as such is an indication of how pervasive rape culture really is.

We condemn Patrick Humphreys, the Ottawa Citizen, Ontario Court Justice Heather Perskins-McVey and Carleton University. We stand in solidarity with the survivor of this assault and we hope that she is supported in her healing.

If you are looking for support, the Coalition created an independent, survivor driven sexual assault support line in March 2010. The line is open from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week and offers free, confidential peer support. The support line number is 613-620-1030.

For more information, please contact us at coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Friday, December 3, 2010

Join the Coalition at another great community event -- "Reclaiming Our Bodies"

Hello everyone!

As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, the Ottawa RebELLEs are hosting a fundraising body-painting event Sunday, 5 December 2010, 7:00-9:00pm at Venus Envy (320 Lisgar St.) $3 at the door or pay what you can.

This is a body painting event to celebrate and reclaim our bodies from sexual violence. Our vision is to contrast and resist the violence--physical and otherwise perpetuated on womyn's bodies and bodies that reject gender binaries. Our vision is also to celebrate our bodies through paint and photography in a body-positive and sex-positive space.

You can also have your body photographed by professional photographers for $5.

Painting supplies for body painting and poster painting will be provided.
Music and spoken word by Michelle Blackburn will entertain us.

Party panties are mandatory - but all other clothes are optional

The funds collected from the event for the door and photos will be donated to the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre!

You can get to Venus Envy by bus routes 1, 4 and 7. It is also four blocks south of the downtown Transitway. Venus Envy is accessible by ramp but does not have accessible bathrooms.

All are welcome and we hope you'll come out to help us "reclaim our bodies" and paint our resistance against gender violence.


For more information on the Ottawa RebELLEs, please e-mail them at ottawarebelles@gmail.com, or check out their website at
ottawarebelles.blogspot.com.
-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Monday, November 22, 2010

Come out on Friday to support the Coalition and CU's BSW Student Association

The Bachelor of Social Work Student Association is hosting a pub night at Grace O'Malley's Pub on Merivale Road THIS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26!

Come out and see the Chris Cadell Band (they've opened for Bon Jovi!), have some drinks, and support the creation of a sexual assault centre on campus - whether you're a student or not!

Tickets are $5 and will be on sale in the Atrium Wednesday, November 24 and Thursday, November 25. Tickets are also available in the CUSA office.

Proceeds are going to the BSWSA and the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre!

All your on and off campus friends are welcome to join us!

For more information, see the BSWSA's Facebook event page HERE.

See you Friday!

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Updates!

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre is planning Consent is Sexy Week, to be held at Carleton University in early 2011! Stay tuned for more information--we're really excited about it!

Also, we're happy to announce that we are starting the process of creating an actual website for the Coalition, where you will be able to access much more information about who we are, what we do, and how to get involved! We are in the planning stages at this time, so send us an e-mail if there is something you think we should include on the new site. We welcome your feedback!

As always, the Support Line is open from 8:00am to midnight, seven days a week. We provide free, confidential peer support and are not affiliated with University administration. Spread the word!

In solidarity,

The Coalition

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Thank you for your continued support!

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre would like to thank all those who came out to support us at Ottawa's annual Take Back the Night March! We enjoyed speaking and marching with all of you.

Also, a reminder that you can still sign our Open Letter to Carleton University's Administration (read it HERE) by e-mailing us at coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com. If you would like to list an affiliation with your name, please include it in the e-mail. We encourage Carleton students, staff, faculty and alumni to include their affiliation with the University, but it is by no means necessary.

Thank you again for your continued support!


-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Support Line: 613-620-1030

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Happy Pride!

Join the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre at the Capital Pride Parade and info fair, today at 1pm in downtown Ottawa! For more information on the parade, see Capital Pride's official website at http://www.capitalpride.ca/.

Happy Pride!

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Monday, July 19, 2010

ARTGASM fundraiser -- TICKETS ON SALE!

The Coalition for Carleton Presents...
Artgasm!
Come for the Art, Stay to Hump!

A fun filled, debaucherous evening with an art auction, music, poetry, burlesque and sex-positivity! A drink and appetizer menu will be available also :)

Featuring: Three Little Birds and Rockalily Burlesque!!

Doors open at 7pm and coincides with Mercury Lounge's infamous Hump Night!

Tickets are $8-$12, sliding scale!
Limited number available for purchase at the door--get them in advance at Venus Envy!

As most of you know, the Coalition is a grassroots, indie, feminist, community run sexual assault support line that is available to all students, staff and faculty of Carleton University, and extends to rest of the community! We are not affiliated with or even recognized by Carleton and so all of our work is entirely student driven and community funded.

We will be shameless in saying that we do amazing work, not only through our support line but through our nearly 4 years of advocating on behalf of survivors on campus. But we don't do it alone and we can't do it for free.

Since we do not have a physical space, our line operates through cellphones, which are costly. We need your help! So please come, buy some art, listen to some awesome artists, stay to dance, and help raise awareness surrounding sexual violence!

Support the cause, have a kickin' time, and help put an end sexual violence!

Again:

Wed. July 28th @ Mercury Lounge
(Unfortunately, since we are relying on the genoristy of Ottawa folk, we are having the event at the Mercury Lounge--they gave us the space for free. ♥ the place, but it is NOT accessible. We deeply, deeply apologize for that.)
Doors Open at 7pm. 19+
Tix are $8-$12 Sliding Scale
Limited tickets at the door; available in advance at Venus Envy!


Venus Envy (613-789-4646) is located at 320 Lisgar Street, Ottawa, K2P 0E2

In solidarity,
The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre


-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Friday, July 16, 2010

Open Letter to Carleton University Administration

On June 24th 2010, the Ottawa Citizen published a story in which President Roseanne O’Reilly Runte was quoted as supporting the return of a football team to Carleton University’s campus. According to this article, Carleton is bringing back a football team in 2012 because people on campus demanded it and President Runte wants to 'listen to the Carleton community'. The reasoning behind establishing a football team at Carleton is deeply upsetting and insulting. The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre opposes this latest news. We have been told by President Runte and management at Equity Services that "Students can't just get something because they asked for it".

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Center was formed in the fall of 2007 in the hopes of creating a student-run, university funded sexual assault centre on campus. In early 2008, we held a referendum on campus where over 80% of students supported the creation of a student-run, university funded sexual assault centre.

Carleton’s current president has witnessed support for this centre via letters, faxes, and emails from organizations across Canada. The Coalition held various poster campaigns, a rally and a Task Force on Gender-Based Violence; we have petitioned, sent her letters and have even met with her and her staff.

We have been given a myriad of excuses for not creating a student-run centre, including a lack of funds and the fact that our referendum question was held before her tenure as President.

It is obvious that there is much more at play here. Why do we listen to people who want football teams and not to students who need a sexual assault centre? We demand that Carleton University demonstrate accountability to all of its students, including survivors of sexual assault.

The current situation is completely unacceptable given that the upper administration insists Carleton is experiencing a financial crunch prohibiting this institution from finding funds to send graduate students to present at conferences, or to create proper study spaces for undergraduate students on campus. Indeed, upper management says that money is so tight at Carleton that decisions have been made to fire support staff to make ends meet. If we are so strapped for money, why would we accept and solicit donations to create a football team when people’s jobs are at stake and basic academic needs are lacking?

We demand that Carleton administration show respect for students and the Carleton community by being completely transparent with the information and decisions regarding its finances. Surely, the generous Carleton alumni donors are ultimately interested in ensuring that Carleton University remains a place where higher learning and research are top priority. A sexual assault support centre is part of that mandate since it is a critical step towards ensuring that Carleton students study, learn, and research in a safe and secure space. We ask our Carleton alumni to support us by not donating to Carleton until the centre is a reality at this university.

In addition we would like to highlight that women are being turned away from the Ottawa Civic Hospital due to a shortage of specialized nurses who work specifically with sexual assault survivors. If this is not alarming to the university then the issue of eight women being assaulted per day in Ottawa should raise alarms ("Hidden from Sight," Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women). If Carleton University cared about its students they would do all in their power to assist them in establishing a sexual assault support centre. Access to adequate services is key to academic success. At the moment, Health and Counseling Services are overwhelmed with daily requests for assistance. Establishing a sexual assault support centre would assist in showing students that Carleton University cares and supports students who are survivors of violence.

As there are over 22,000 people including students, staff and faculty who access services on Carleton’s campus we are hopeful that the university and alumni allies will take this into consideration when weighing the need for leisure activities verses essential services. We, the Coalition, see the necessities of having accessible services in order to ensure our campus is safer.

To sign on to this letter, please contact the Coalition at coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Signed,

- The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre


- Advocacy Committee, Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW)
- Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres (CASAC)
- Carleton University Young Liberals
- Carleton University Students' Association (CUSA)--Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), Local 1
- CUPE 4600, Carleton University
- Fédération Étudiante de l’Université d’Ottawa / Student Federation of the University of Ottawa--FCÉÉ, Section 41 / CFS, Local 41
- The Garden Spot (Carleton Food Collective)
- Graduate Students' Association (GSA), Carleton University--CFS, Local 78
- InSol: Womyn of Colour Collective (OPIRG-Carleton Working Group)
- Native Youth Sexual Health Network
- Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG)--Carleton
- Women's Resource Centre, Student Federation of the University of Ottawa
- Women's Studies Student Association (WSSA), University of Ottawa

- Mariful Alam
- Elizabeth Aldrich, 4th year Psychology student and varsity athlete, Carleton University; Support Worker, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa (SASC)
- Laura Allardyce, BA (Hons), Carleton University, 2010
- Luanne (McGill) Ashe, BA Mus, Acadia University, 1983; BEd (Mus.Cert.), Dalhousie University, 1989; musician and educator
- Shushan Araya
- Kate Chinwe Ayalogu, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member; BA, Global Politics, Carleton University; OPIRG Board of Directors; Aramark Support Campaign
- Yonique Barnett, Carleton University student
- Nancy Baroni, Project Coordinator / Coordinatrice de projets, Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) / L'alliance féministe pour l'action internationale (AFAI)
- Roisin Beck, Carleton University student, MA candidate
- Chris Bisson, Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG)
- Diane Blackburn, Royal Lepage
- Michelle Blackburn, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member
- Georgeanne Blue, Coordinator, Women's Resource Centre (Student Federation of the University of Ottawa)
- Brittney Anne Bos, BA (Hons), MA, Carleton University
- Laura Boyaner
- Charlotte Bradley
- James Braun, MA Candidate
- Mathieu Brûlé, Doctoral student (History), York University
- Jason Buck
- Erica Carson
- Gisell Castillo, MA, Carleton University
- Frederique Chabot, Women and HIV/AIDS Community Development Coordinator
- Ione Challborn, Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association, Edmonton Region
- Margot Challborn, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member
- Renee Chan
- Meera Chander, VP Finance, Carleton University Students' Association (CUSA)
- Gracie Chapman, 4th year Criminology and Criminal Justice student, Carleton University
- Craig Chartrand, RRT
- Renuka Chaturvedi, PhD, ABD, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University
- Adam Chen, Carleton University student
- Marie-Michèle Chezzi
- Norma Christie, Women for Justice (Fredericton, NB)
- Michèle Clermont
- Valerie Collicott, Advocacy Committee Co-chair, Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW); Policy and Administrative Coordinator, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
- Maureen Collins, Edmonton John Howard Society
- Laura Constantinescu
- Ron Couchman, 4th year undergraduate student, Carleton University
- Andree Crawford, Carleton alumnus
- Erin Cummings, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member; 4th year Anthropology student, Carleton University
- Heather Cuthbert
- Emerich Daroya
- Ricardo Da Silva, Carleton University student
- Alice Dean
- Keara Dean, Support Worker, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa (SASC); Saint Mary's University alumnus
- Ana Carolina Delage
- Mallory Delarge, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member; BA (Hons), Carleton University, 2010
- Vladimir Aleman Delfs, former Carleton University student
- Jeremy Dias, Founder and Executive Director, Jer's Vision: Canada's Youth Diversity Initiative
- Jake Dole, MA (Film Studies), Carleton University
- Jeanette Doucet, BA St Mary's University, 1993
- Martin Dufresne, Secretary, Montreal Men Against Sexism
- Kaitlyn Duthie
- Delroy Dyer
- Amelia Edwards, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member
- Heather M. Elliott
- Jennifer V. Evans, Associate Professor, Carleton University
- Charli F.
- Nadia Fezzani, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member
- Elana Finestone, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member
- Cheyenne Fleet, Public Affairs and Policy Management (Development Studies) student, Carleton University; Coordinator, Aramark Workers Support Committee
- Brittan Florczyk, Community Member, Aramark Workers Support Campaign
- Lorraine Francisco
- Josh Frappier
- Denis Gagné, Carleton University alumnus, 2008
- Stéfanie Gentil, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member
- Patrizia Gentile, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member; Assistant Professor, Carleton University
- Sylvie Gervais-Leduc, MCC, CEC - Laurentian University, 1986 - The Art of Excellence
- Kristen Gilchrist, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member
- Hélène Godin, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member
- JoAnne Gordon, Coordinator, Women's Resource Centre (Student Federation of the University of Ottawa); Support Worker, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa (SASC); Vice President Internal, Women’s Studies Student Association, University of Ottawa
- Amanda Graham
- Anna Greczmiel, Carleton University alumnus
- Rene Guardado
- Tara-Lynn Guenette, Carleton University alumnus, 2008
- Sarah Jane Hamilton, Carleton University student
- Amy Hammett
- Kristen Hatz, BA (Hons), Psychology, Carleton University, 2009
- Susan Havart
- Johanna Hove, Carleton University student
- Sandy Hudson, Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario
- Ashley Hunkin, BA, Women's Studies, Carleton University; Carleton University Students' Association (CUSA) Womyn's Centre Programming Coordinator, 2006-2007; CUSA Vice President-Student Services, 2007-2008
- Christel Hyshka, Carleton University alumnus
- Dr. Dan Irving, Assistant Professor, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Carleton University
- Nikki Ives-Allison
- Michelle Jackson-Brown, Social Service Worker; BHum, Carleton University, 2003; Carleton University Social Work student
- Karene Josephs
- Zaheen Karim, Carleton University alumnus, 2006
- Christine Kelly
- Erin Kelly, BA, BEd, Laurentian University
- Jayda Kelsall
- Jason Knapp, Host of Special Blends on CKCU 93.1 FM, Ottawa
- Ihor Korbabicz, President, Carleton University Young Liberals
- Lana Kouchnir
- Zlata Kovaltchouk
- Lee Lakeman, British Columbia and Yukon Regional Representative, Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres (CASAC)
- Julie Lalonde, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre co-founder; BA (Hons), Carleton University, 2007
- Tim Lalonde, Director of IT, Manitoulin Group of Companies, father of Carleton student and concerned citizen
- Samantha LaRue
- Leanne, Oxfam Canada Carleton Club
- Polly Leonard, University of Toronto alumnus; Carleton University student
- Rachel Levasseur
- Sarah Livermore, BA (Hons), MA: Legal Studies Candidate, Carleton University
- Amanda Lunan
- Erin Seatter, MA, Carleton University
- Tara Lyons, PhD Candidate (ABD), Carleton University
- Janelle MacDonald, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member
- Jenna MacKay, MA Candidate, Carleton University
- Megan Mackenzie
- Tina Mackey
- Anjali Majmudar
- Gerry Martin
- Heather M. Martin, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member; BA (Hons), Carleton University, 2010; MA Candidate, University of Ottawa
- Marilyn A. Martin
- Nicole Matte, Coordinator, Women's Resource Centre (Student Federation of the University of Ottawa)
- Corinne Mason, PhD Candidate, University of Ottawa
- Sarah McCue, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member; Carleton University student and varsity athlete
- Rebecca McDonald
- James Meades, Co-President, CUPE 4600, Carleton University
- Shelley Melanson, Deputy Chair, Canadian Federation of Students
- Leila Mian
- Katherine Miceli
- Samantha Mitchell
- Courtney Moore
- Malorie Moore
- Jeffrey Monaghan, MA (Legal Studies), Carleton University
- Christine Moncrieff, Vice President Activism, Women's Studies Student Association (WSSA), University of Ottawa; Social Science Representative, Board of Administration, University of Ottawa; Campaigns Organizer, Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO)
- Yamikani Msosa, Carleton University student
- Concillia Muonde, Public Education Coordinator, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa
- Dan Murphy, Carleton University student
- Leila Navabzadeh, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member; 4th year undergraduate student, Carleton University
- Dr. Jane Nicholas, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Lakehead University
- Marcus Niekarszewicz, BEng
- Howard Needham
- Mat Nelson, Co-President, CUPE 4600, Carleton University
- Ashley Norlock
- Sarah North
- Sarah O'Brien, University of Ottawa alumnus, 2009; Carleton University Library user
- Ikenna Onyegbula, former Carleton University student
- Jill O'Reilly
- Shaughnessy O'Reilly, University of Ottawa student
- Maria-Hélèna Pacelli
- Rachael Pack
- Dr. Justin Paulson, Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University
- Kimalee Phillip, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member; President, Graduate Students' Association, Carleton University
- Steffanie Pinch, 3rd year Journalism student, Carleton University
- Kandace Price, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member; 4th year undergraduate student, Carleton University
- Catrina Procaccini
- Lara Purvis
- Danielle Quigley, MA, PhD Candidate, Department of Psychology, Carleton University
- Deborah Rachlis, Carleton University alumnus
- Sophie Raniere, Community Outreach Director, Women's Independence Network; 4th year Women's Studies student, University of Ottawa
- L. Pauline Rankin, Associate Professor, Carleton University
- Emily Reynolds, BA, Laurentian University, 2006
- Jodi Richard, BSW, RSW
- Gemma Richardson, BJ, 2004, Carleton University; MA; PhD student, University of Western Ontario
- Andrew Riddles, Web Architect, Computing and Communication Services, Carleton University
- Katrina Riley, BA (Hons), Carleton University, 2010
- Madeline Ritchie
- Jeff Rosien, Algonquin College, 2001
- Dr. Jenny Roth, Assistant Professor, Department of Women's Studies, Lakehead University
- Sreya Roy
- Kelleigh Ryan, Carleton University student and athlete
- Joanne Sass-Williams, Carleton University student, parent of Carleton graduates, prospective alumnus and donor
- Meaghan Savage, 4th year Honours Psychology student, Carleton University
- Jane Scharf
- Andi Schwartz, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member; Carleton University undergraduate student
- Dr. Christabelle Sethna, Professor, Institute of Women's Studies/Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa
- Roshanne Shamsi
- Professor Elizabeth Sheehy, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
- Aya Shibahara
- Meghan Simmons
- Ashley Sinnis
- AnaLori Smith, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member
- Aynsley Smith, University of Ottawa alumnus
- Claudette Smith
- Karl Smith
- Lindsay Snow
- Laura Sparling
- Dr. Jessica Squires, PhD (2009, History, Carleton University)
- Mélanie Stafford
- Ashton Starr, Carleton Food Collective
- Donald Swartz, Carleton School of Public Policy and Administration (Retired)
- Emma Tarver
- Shelley D. Taylor, Venus Envy
- Taiva Tegler, University of Ottawa student and support worker with the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa (SASC)
- Denisse Temin
- Monika Thakker, Carleton University alumnus
- Kaisha Thompson, Carleton University Young Liberals
- Kathryn Trevenen, Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa
- Shauna Turney
- Rita Valeriano, VP Social, Women's Studies Student Association, University of Ottawa; Employee, Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) Ottawa; intern with local pro-choice organization; Volunteer, Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre (ORCC)
- Zackary Varve, Carleton graduate student and alumnus
- Sam Whittle, Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre member; Programming Coordinator, Carleton GLBTQ Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity
- Colleen P. Wilson
- Owen Windsor-Liscombe
- Seamus Wolfe, Assistant Campaigner, Polaris Institute
- Genevieve Wong
- Kim Wucher
- Jessica Yee, Native Youth Sexual Health Network
- Laura Zahody, 4th year Journalism and English student, Carleton University



-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Friday, July 9, 2010

Rally on Tuesday, July 13

Dear allies,

There will be a rally held on Tuesday, July 13 in response to the Ottawa Hospital turning away survivors of sexual assault. This is not a Coalition-specific event, but we will be there in order to support survivors. A press release follows. Please attend and spread the word about this event!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa Residents Take a Stand against the Treatment of Sexual Assault Survivors

Ottawa, July 9, 2010 - Front-line workers, activists and Ottawa residents will be gathering at the Human Rights Monument on Tuesday, July 13th 2010 to protest the lack of adequate sexual assault support in Ottawa and across the province.

Last week, the media reported that sexual assault victims at the Civic Hospital were told to either wait or head to Renfrew in order to be seen by a sexual assault nurse. The wait times were as long as 48 hours and required the woman not to shower until she was seen by a nurse. Many women were not able to access other hospitals and never got any medical care. The Ottawa protocol, which was agreed upon by Ottawa Police Services, the Ottawa Hospitals and sexual assault support workers, outlines that women must be seen at the hospital within one hour.

The Civic Hospital came under fire for their failure to comply with the protocol and have recently announced that nurses will be on staff 24 hours a day. Although we applaud this change, it is not enough.

We are asking for consistent compliance with established protocols across the city and the maintenance of protocols across the province. We want the health and safety of Ontario women to be made a priority and not an after-thought. Access to basic medical care is a right that is being denied to women.

The Ottawa Police Services have stated that everyday, 8 women are sexually assaulted and only one reports it. The time for action is now.

The rally will begin at noon at the Human Rights Monument (Corner of Elgin and Lisgar) followed by a march to the Women’s Monument (Elgin and Cooper). The rally will be bilingual and will include the signing of petitions. Cold refreshments and snacks will be made available at the Women’s Monument.

For more information
Julie S. Lalonde
613-301-2697
Julie.s.lalonde@gmail.com

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Call for Donations: Carleton Sexual Assault Support Line's "Artgasm" Event

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre will be hosting an art show at the end of July at with all proceeds going to the Carleton Sexual Assault Support Line. It's called "Artgasm" and it's being held on Wednesday, July 28th from 7-10pm at the Mercury Lounge to coincide with weekly "Hump Night". Tickets will be on a sliding scale of $8 to $12, soon to be available from Venus Envy.

PREAMBLE:

As most of you know, the Coalition is a grassroots, indie, feminist, community run sexual assault support line that is available to all students, staff and faculty. We are not affiliated or even recognized by Carleton and so all of our work is entirely student driven and community funded.

I will be shameless in saying that we do amazing work, not only through our support line but through our nearly 4 years of advocating on behalf of survivors on campus. But we don't do it alone and we can't do it for free.

Since we do not have a physical space, our line operates through cellphones, which are costly. We also need to print all of our training manuals ourselves, which cost around $200 per training session. There's also the costs for advertising, since Carleton refuses to acknowledge us and constantly tears down our posters. This means that we poster much more than we should have to.

WHAT WE NEED:

We're hosting this amazing event at the end of July at the Mercury Lounge to coincide with their Wednesday night "Hump Night." The event will consist of mingling and listening to great local musicians/poets while having a silent auction of amazing local art. Rockalily Burlesque will also be there to perform!

We are looking for artists to graciously donate paintings, sketches, photographs, jewelery, services (e.g. photography session, spa treatment, etc) for our event.

In return, we will shamelessly plug you and your amazingness and if given enough time, will put you or your organization/company's logo on our posters. Best of all, you'll know that your talents will be used to support survivors of sexual violence.

If you have no artistic ability, remember that we also need people to BUY the art and mingle with us, so you can just show up and buy pretty things, too!

If you're interested, you can get in touch with the Coalition and/or spread the word to others. Get them to e-mail the Coalition at coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

In solidarity, resistance and love,

The Coalition for a Sexual Assault Centre

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030

Friday, May 28, 2010

Out and About in the City

Hey everyone,

If you're out and about in the city this coming weekend, look for the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre.

This Friday, May 28th starting at 2pm, the Coalition and the Carleton University Womyn's Centre will be hosting a t-shirt painting party and info session in the atrium of the UniCentre in preparation for the Clothesline Project. Supplies will be provided and support workers will be on hand to chat with anyone. Facebook event and more info HERE.

This Saturday, the Coalition will be hosting a table of tasty treats and swag at 24 Powell Ave. near Bank St. for the Great Glebe Garage Sale. When you're out there early trying to steal a deal, stop by our table, say hi, grab a drink and a snack and help us end violence in the process! Facebook event and more info HERE.

Finally, on Sunday from 11-4pm the Coalition will be at the Clothesline Project held at Minto Park, on Elgin @ Gilmour. Facebook event and more info HERE.

A final reminder that the Carleton Sexual Assault Support Line is open all summer long from 8am-midnight, 7 days a week (including holidays). The number is 613-620-1030.

For more information or to get involved: coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com and don't forget to follow us on Twitter @CoalitionForCU!

Best,

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030

Friday, April 23, 2010

Coalition chosen as recipient of PROMdemonium funding!

The Carleton Sexual Assault Support Line (via the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre) has been chosen as one of the recipients of funding from PROMdemonium.

For those of you not in the know, PROMdemonium is "the radical, community-oriented, gender-bending, bike-loving, enviro-humping, queer-diggin, slow dancing, big dress wearing prom that you never had." All the proceeds go to various local community initiatives and the Support Line has been chosen as a recipient.

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to not only spread the word about our service but also sustain it!

So please consider throwing on some amazing prom wear and coming out to support not only the Support Line but other great community initiatives, as well.

All the event details can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107830965905327&ref=ts

Best,

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

End of term, but not of service!

Even though we are approaching the end of term, the Coalition wants to remind you that the Carleton Sexual Assault Support Line will be open all summer long.

We offer free, confidential peer support to any Carleton student, staff or faculty at 613-620-1030. We're open 7 days a week from 8am-midnight.

We also wanted to clarify that we are not strictly for crisis support. Although crisis intervention is something we do, we also offer support to those who are survivors of past trauma and we have a myriad of resource information for those that are seeking outside support. We are trained in anti-oppressive peer support and do not discriminate based on gender, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship, ability, age, Mother Tongue or student status.

The Coalition is also continuing to lobby for a student-run, University funded sexual assault centre. Alongside Equity Services, we will be making a recommendation to the President within the next month or so.

Finally, we'd like to remind everyone that we are not affiliated with or supported by Carleton University and so all of our work is volunteer driven. We were able to start up the line with the help of an anonymous donor, but we have no sustainable funding. Therefore, we are relying on generous community donations.

For more information, to get involved or to make a donation, please contact us at coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com or 613-620-1030.

In solidarity,

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre



-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Monday, March 22, 2010

LAUNCH OF SUPPORT LINE: Official Statement

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre officially launched a sexual assault support line for Carleton students, staff and faculty this morning at 8am.

The number is 613-620-1030 and the line is open from 8am to midnight, 7 days a week.

The line offers free, confidential, peer support to all Carleton students, staff, and faculty regardless of gender, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship, ability, age, Mother Tongue or student status.

We are NOT affiliated with Carleton University administration in any way.

Our work is funded through an anonymous donor.

We are trained support workers who work within an anti-oppressive, feminist, survivor-driven framework. We are here for survivors, first and foremost and our creation of the line is a result of feedback from students over the past 3 years. The Coalition has been very active and very public since the fall of 2007 and in doing so, have been approached by hundreds of students either through our rallies, our Facebook group, our e-mail or through the Task Force on Gender-Based Violence, which was held in November, 2009. Students want access to services that are non-judgmental, non-hierarchical and responsive to the needs of the student body. Survivors want to be heard.

At the Task Force in November, we promised students that their demands would be heard. We are meeting that promise.

We are continuing to participate in a working group with Equity Services with the goal of a joint recommendation to President Runte by the end of this semester. The hope is that President Runte will consider our recommendations for improved sexual assault services on campus and make an announcement in the fall, bringing concrete changes to Carleton. The Coalition is recommending a student-run, university funded sexual assault centre.

For more information, please call or e-mail us at coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

In solidarity,

- Julie (Coalition co-founder) and the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Notice: Website Change

The Coalition for a Carleton SAC's home on the web has moved! You can now find us at the following addresses:

This blog: http://coalitionforcarleton.blogspot.com/
Our Twitter: http://twitter.com/CoalitionForCU
Our e-mail: coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Thank you for your support! Keep spreading the word and resisting!

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030
coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

LAUNCH OF SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT LINE

SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT LINE
613-620-1030
8am-Midnight, 7 days a week
Free. Confidential. Peer Support.
Because it's been three years since we voted for a Centre
Who We Are:

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre is an independent student-run collective established in 2007. Our goal is a student-run, university funded sexual assault centre. We are NOT affiliated with Carleton University administration. We are trained support workers who believe in survivor directed, peer support. We support all Carleton students, staff, and faculty regardless of gender, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship, ability, age, Mother Tongue or student status.

Sexual Assault Support Line: 613-620-1030
For more information, contact the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre at coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre
Blog -- Twitter -- Facebook
Support Line: 613-620-1030

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Sexual Assault Awareness Week: Beyond Beats and Rhymes

Hey everyone,
Have you been to a Sexual Assault Awareness Week event yet?
Just a reminder that TODAY, as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Week, we will be screening the riveting documentary, Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes. This film examines representations of gender roles in hip-hop culture and rap music!
The film takes an in-depth look at representations of manhood, sexism and homophobia in hip-hop culture. This groundbreaking documentary is a "loving critique" of certain disturbing developments in rap music culture from the point of view of a fan who challenges the art form's representations of masculinity.

Leading rap and hip-hop artists including Mos Def, Busta Rhymes and Russell Simmons are interviewed and pressed to answer some difficult questions about the violent and sexually explicit content of many hip-hop songs and videos.

This documentary is
one of a kind!! I suggest that each and every one of you come out!!

And, to put the icing on the cake, the Capital Slam winning team, The Recipe, will be performing a piece that they specifically prepared for tonight's event--Confessions.

See you all in the Minto Building, Bell Theatre tonight at 7pm!
For more information, see the Sexual Assault Awareness Week Facebook event HERE.
-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre

Monday, February 1, 2010

CU Sexual Assault Awareness Week, Feb. 8-11

Join the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre in their first joint project with Equity Services!

Carleton University's Sexual Assault Awareness Week has been organized by the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre and Equity Services and has been funded by Equity.

All the events are free, open to anyone and cover a wide range of topics and activities.

Monday, February 8th, 2010
10am - 3pm
Join us in the atrium for an info fair with a "Clothesline Project"
There will be FOOD and PRIZES

Tuesday, February 9, 2010
12 - 1:30pm
Join us at 2017 Dunton Tower for "Understanding sexual violence in the context of missing and murdered aboriginal women" presented by Kate Rexe of the Sisters in Spirit Campaign
Snacks will be provided

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
7-9pm
Join us in the Bell Theatre, Minto Building for an evening of taking on sexual violence and popular culture.
We have "Confessions" performed The Recipe (formerly the Capital Poetry Collective) followed by a screening of "Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes"
There will be a facilitated discussion and snacks!

Thursday, February 11, 2010
12 - 1:30pm
2017 Dunton Tower
Join us for "What Went Wrong in Rwanda: Rape, Genocide and the International Tribunal for Rwanda" by Professor Doris Buss
Snacks will be provided

and then that night...

7-9pm
435 Patrick Building
Join us for a panel discussion on "Healthy Relationships" with Kandace Price (Womyn's Centre Coordinator), The Carleton GLBTQ Centre and Venus Envy.
Once again, we've got snacks!

Spread the word and do your part to end sexual assault!

For more information, see the Facebook event HERE.

-----------------------------
Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre