If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 right away.
Together, we can help prevent sexual violence.
Everyone has the right to feel safe from sexual violence in post-secondary settings — regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, cultural background or disability. From recognizing the signs and standing up to harmful behaviour, to promoting respect and consent in our own relationships, we can all make a difference.
Where to get help on campus
Find what resources are available at your institution. You can get support regardless of when or where the incident took place.
B.C. requires all public post-secondary institutions to have a sexual violence policy by law. Find your institution’s policy here.
On this page
What is sexual violence?
Sexual violence is any unwanted sexual behaviour that is committed, attempted, or threatened. It can be physical or psychological and can occur in person or via technology. It can be ongoing or a one-time event.
How do we recognize sexual violence? It includes, but is not limited to:
- Sexual assault
- Sexual harassment
- Non-consensual sharing of an intimate image
- Additional unwanted sexual behaviours:
- Making jokes related to sexual violence or making inappropriate sexual comments
- Whistling, catcalling, or leering
- Pressuring someone for dates or sexual activity
- Mistreating someone for saying no to sexual activity
What is consent?
Consent is a mutual agreement to take part in an activity – it requires everyone involved to agree. It is more than a simple yes or no. Consent is an ongoing process of checking in with yourself and others. It’s ensuring comfort and addressing any changes to how you, or others, feel.
When it comes to sexual activities, consent involves giving willing permission. You need someone’s permission before taking, sharing, or posting their photos online. This includes any private or personal images.
Consent is:
- Given at each stage of a sexual interaction, and/or when there is a shift from one sexual activity to another (e.g., moving from hugging to kissing)
- Voluntary and freely given without pressure, guilt, or force. Pressuring someone into sexual activity is not consent and can be a form of sexual violence
- Sought each time, even if a person has agreed to sexual activity in the past
Consent can be given verbally, such as saying, “That feels good” or “Let’s keep going.” It can also be shown through actions, like actively participating or responding positively.
While non-verbal cues, such as body language, can sometimes indicate consent, they are not always clear for everyone. If there’s any uncertainty, asking is a good way to be sure of how someone feels.
Everyone must have the ability to agree to any sexual activity. Using drugs or alcohol can impact a person’s ability to give clear, voluntary consent. It can also change the way a person interprets consent.
When a substance is involved, it’s essential to check in with yourself and your partner.
Clear signs that a person does not have the capacity to consent include:
- Slurred speech
- Vomiting
- Loss of coordination
- Stumbling
- Being unable to hold their head up
- Being asleep or unconscious
Tips for having consent conversations
Boundaries help us define what we are comfortable with and how we like or expect to be treated. People have emotional and physical boundaries. In any sexual relationship, it’s important to know your own boundaries and to respect the other person’s boundaries too.
To help establish boundaries within a consensual sexual relationship:
- Have conversations about what makes us feel comfortable or uncomfortable
- Ask our partner to respect our privacy and personal space
- Ask our partner if they are okay with certain kinds of touch or activities
- Check in regularly with our partner about changes in their interests or comfort levels
It can feel a little awkward at first, but with practice we can get better at communicating our boundaries and asking others about their boundaries and comfort levels.
Being an active bystander
A bystander is someone who notices when harmful behaviour may be happening. An active bystander finds a safe, appropriate way to respond.
You don’t need to have all the answers to help. Even a small action can interrupt harm, give someone a chance to leave, or let them know they are not alone.
There is no single right way to respond. Depending on the situation, your relationship with those involved, and what feels safe, you might:
Speak up, create a distraction, check-in, or get support.
Always consider your own safety and the safety of others. If someone is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. If it isn’t safe to act directly, get support from campus security, staff, or someone better placed to respond.
To learn more, visit the Be More Than a Bystander campaign. The campaign was developed by EVA BC with funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada and the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills under the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
Small actions can make a difference
You do not need to respond perfectly or handle the situation on your own. Choose an action that fits the circumstances and that you can take safely.
Speak up
Address the behaviour directly when it feels safe to do so. Name a comment, behaviour, or situation that does not feel right. This can interrupt what is happening and signal that harmful behaviour is not okay.
You could say:
- “That’s not okay”
- “Leave them alone”
- “Let’s not say that”
Your safety comes first. Before intervening, consider whether speaking up could increase risk for you or the person experiencing harm. If you choose to respond directly, keep it brief, focus on the behaviour, and use a calm, non-confrontational approach.
Create a distraction
Interrupt the situation in a natural, non-confrontational way that shifts attention or gives someone an opportunity to step away.
Examples:
- Say something like, “come with me for a second” or “let’s head out”
- Pretend to be lost and ask for directions
- Ask for the time
- Pretend you know the person
- Spill a drink or make a commotion
Focus on creating space for the person who may be experiencing the harm without drawing unnecessary attention to them. This works to break the flow of what is happening in a manner that is non-confrontational.
Check-in
Connect with someone to ask how they are doing, what they need, and whether they would like support.
Even if you can’t act in the moment, you can make a difference for the person who has experienced violence after the situation has ended.
Examples:
- Ask them if they’re okay
- Let them know that what has happened to them isn’t their fault
- Ask them if there’s any way you can support them, such as accompanying them to their destination or sitting with them for a bit
- Offer to share resources or help them make a formal allegation if they want to
- If you’ve documented the incident, ask them if they want you to send it to them
A person may not want to talk or accept help. Respect their decision, whatever it is.
Depending on the situation, it may also be appropriate to check in with the person whose behaviour is causing concern. A private conversation can give someone the opportunity to reflect on their behaviour and its impact.
Get support
Ask someone else to help when the situation feels unsafe, is escalating, or is more than you can manage on your own.
You could:
- Ask friend or classmate to help
- Contact an instructor, staff member, residence advisor, Elder, supervisor, or another trusted person
- Work with others nearby who may be better placed to respond
- Consider calling a security officer or 9-1-1 to request help
When possible, involve the person affected in decisions about getting support. If there is an immediate safety concern, it may be necessary to get help without checking in first.
Safe ways to take a stand
Trust your instincts
If something feels wrong or unsafe, listen to that feeling. You do not need to justify why you feel uncomfortable.
Prioritize your safety
If you feel unsafe, think about what might help you feel more secure in the moment. This could include moving closer to others, finding a well-lit area, or identifying an exit. You are not obligated to take any specific action — choose what feels right for you.
Use your support network
If you can, contact someone you trust (friend, family, colleague) and let them know where you are and what’s happening. Share your location if possible.
Seek help
If you feel in imminent danger, call 9-1-1. If that’s not possible, look for security personnel or staff nearby.
Access support services
If you need victim support, call VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808. It provides information and helps connect people to services. It also offers immediate support to people harmed by crime, including family or sexual violence.
Support resources for survivors
Where to get help in B.C.
Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.
If you need victim support, call VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808.
Where to get help on campus
Find what resources are available at your institution. You can receive support regardless of when or where the incident took place.
Get informed
B.C. requires all public post-secondary institutions to have a sexual violence policy by law.
Acknowledgements
This information is adapted from the following resources:
Be More Than a Bystander Campaign. The Ending Violence Association of BC.
Consent & Sexual Violence: Training and Facilitation Guide Copyright © 2023 by Sexual Violence Training Development Team is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
Power Dynamics and Boundaries: A Sexualized Violence Prevention Workshop for Graduate Students Copyright © 2024 by Intersectional Sexualized Violence Project – Graduate Student Resource Development Team is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
Active Bystander Intervention: Training and Facilitation Guide Copyright © 2023 by Sexual Violence Training Development Team is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
Safer Campuses for Everyone Training: Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence in B.C. Post-Secondary Institutions, Copyright © 2023 by the Sexual Violence Training Development Team is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.