#IBelieveYou campaign to focus on supporting sexual assault disclosers

Students at the U of A will soon have a platform to stand up against sexual assault.

From September 19 to mid-October, the University of Alberta, and other campuses in the province, will campaign for belief in sexual assault survivors.

#IBelieveYou, consists of ordinary people creating videos that speak out for sexual assault survivors, Students’ Union Vice-President (Student Life) Francesca Ghossein said.

The social media campaign, launched last year by the Alberta Association Sexual Assault Services, encourages friends and family to empathize with and support sexual assault survivors after a disclosure is made. The campaign also aims to create an environment where offenders feel less likely to get away with sexual assault.

Survivor support is something that Ghossein said is very important, but sometimes missed, by sexual assault awareness campaigns.

“It’s not just about saying the words, ‘I believe you,’” she said. “It’s about being there for the survivor. It’s about asking what they need from you, whether it’s doing nothing, offering support, or accompanying them through a legal procedure.”

In 2001, a campus-wide survey found that 21 per cent of students reported being sexually assaulted at least once in their life. And sexual assault isn’t limited to campus — national statistics report that 1 in 3 females and 1 in 6 males will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

Alongside promoting the campaign, the SU will also host two events related to the campaign. The first is a video shoot for the campaign on September 23, which students can take part in. The second, a session entitled “Sexual Violence: Policies, Procedures and Supports,” will address issues around sexual assault policy on campus and take place on September 22, as part of Gov Week.

Though the #IBelieveYou campaign is more focused on responses to sexual assault disclosures, Ghossein assures that university policy isn’t being ignored. She added that the SU is on a steering committee to help set up sexual violence policies, and to make current policies survivor-friendly. The U of A currently lacks a standalone sexual assault policy, which was noted in a recent report by the Sexual Violence Review Group.

Using the hashtag #IBelieveYou, students will be able to help spread awareness around the issue of sexual assault, Ghossein said. One thing she hopes students take away from the campaign is the importance of being empathetic and compassionate when someone discloses to them.

“If and when someone discloses to you, and don’t assume things, and don’t ask too many questions,” she said. “Let people talk as much or as little as they want to.”