Sexual Assault Centre

The U of A Sexual Assault Centre provides drop-in crisis intervention support to survivors of sexual violence & their supporters, as well as comprehensive educational workshops for the Campus Community.

We actively work towards creating a campus community free of sexual violence and operate from a feminist, anti-oppressive, intersectional, trauma-informed, person-centered framework.

Keeping that in mind, it is important for us to recognize our Centre's ongoing occupation of ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ, or Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton), Treaty 6 territory and the ancestral home of the Papaschase Cree. We understand that our participation in this colonial project complicates our relationship to anti-sexual violence prevention and education work, as the mere existence of our service is dependent on the continued disregard for Indigenous sovereignty. Acknowledging this complicated relationship is only the beginning of our work; we are committed to unpacking and understanding the responsibility we have to each other and to this land.

We value:

• Spaces that recognize, respect, and honour the various intersection of being in an attempt to be safe(r) and more accessible to the people who occupy those intersections;
• Centering the lived experiences of those who have endured sexual violence;
• Unconditional, non-judgemental, non-directive support for survivors and their choices for recovery;
• Self-advocacy;
• Emotional expression in all its forms;
• The contributions of all those engaged in anti-sexual violence activism before us, and all of those who will continue this work long after we are gone;
• Community-driven prevention and education efforts;
• The self-knowledge, resiliency, and tremendous capacity for change that students possess;
• Creating environments that encourage and facilitate a commitment to continual learning, growth, and understanding;
• Fostering sustainable, collaborative relationships throughout the community; and
• Institutional, individual, and community accountability.

All services are free of charge and are available to people of all genders, sexualities, and backgrounds. Each person's individual recovery process will be respected.

Our Support Services

• Drop-in, telephone or email support for survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking or relationship violence regardless of gender
• Counselling and psychotherapy appointments with our psychologist for either short or long-term counselling and treatment regarding sexual assault or sexual abuse (whether the experience happened recently or long ago)
• Support and information for partners, friends, family, and concerned individuals who are supporting a survivor of sexual assault
• Advocating for deferrals, extensions, and other academic accommodations to help support student success
• Accompaniment for individuals who choose to seek medical attention or report their experience
• Referrals to on- and off-campus resources
• Resource area for information on sexual assault and related topics

Our Education Program

Education is key to facilitating meaningful change on our campus. We offer free, interactive awareness workshops on sexual assault for all groups in the community, including:

• interactive education presentations on sexual assault (50 or 80 minute sessions),
• bystander intervention workshops,
• sexual assault disclosure workshops, and
• professional and specialty workshops.

Additionally, we run a variety of awareness campaigns throughout the year on sexual assault and topics related including consent, prevention, and supporting survivors.

Our Volunteer Program

We are looking for dedicated, empathetic, and non-judgmental volunteers of all genders who want to make a difference on campus.

Our volunteers:

• gain skills to help empower survivors;
• experience personal development and growth;
• receive 60 hours of Crisis Intervention Training;
• are involved in public awareness and/or education.