ReleaseWire Connect

Another academic year is well under way, but campus sexual assault remains a pressing concern for Canadian universities and colleges and the students who attend them. Today, METRAC released a new report entitled Sexual Assault Policies on Campus: A Discussion Paper, available online. METRAC is a community-based organization that prevents violence and has a 30-year history making spaces safer for women and others at high risk of gendered violence.

Diversity is a blanket term used in education, services, institutions and business. But “diversity speak” can supplant critical conversations about power, race and racism. What does it mean to move beyond diversity in a society that often views itself as “post-racial”? On Wednesday March 26, respected anti-racism author and speaker Tim Wise will address these crucial issues at Beyond Diversity: Being Race Conscious in a Diverse Society.

Media myths and popular assumptions may be making campuses more dangerous and concealing important narratives. On Tuesday March 4 at Ryerson University, panelists will discuss this and other issues at Media Coverage of Sexual Violence on Campus, a panel discussion led in partnership between Ryerson University School of Journalism and several organizations that address gender-based violence and violence against women and girls.

On September 3, 2012, METRAC (the Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children) released an updated Android version of its “Not Your Baby” app to help users deal with sexual harassment. It allows users to input where they are – such as work, school or on the street – and who’s harassing them – such as a boss, coworker or fellow student. A response is generated “in the moment” based on the contribution of thousands of other users who shared what they did to deal with similar instances of harassment. “Not Your Baby” also allows users share their personal stories of dealing with harassment.

On April 26, 2013 during National Victims of Crime Awareness Week, METRAC (the Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children) is partnering with other community serving organizations to host the We All Have a Role Forum to challenge sexual violence. Statistics show that one in four Canadian women will experience sexual assault in her lifetime, and young women are at greatest risk.

"Making People Count" is a unique workplace diversity and inclusion conference that provides in-depth training from the experts to help you understand the issues, bring learnings back to your workplace and monitor success.

On September 10, 2012, METRAC(the Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children) released a free iPhone app, "Not Your Baby", to help users deal with sexual harassment. Once installed, the app will allow users to input where they are – such as work, school or on the street – and who’s harassing them – such as a boss, coworker or fellow student. A response will be generated "in the moment", based on the input of 238 people who shared what they've done to deal with similar instances of harassment. Not Your Baby also includes their stories and tips and allows users to submit their own.