It Takes All of Us: New SVPRO Course

To build a culture of consent at McMaster, we know that #ItTakesAllOfUs. That’s why the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office is bringing a new module available to all students to learn about sexual violence, consent, bystander intervention, and supporting survivors. Learn More Here.

What is ‘It Takes All of Us’?

It Takes All of Us strives to increase awareness of gender-based and sexual violence (GBSV) in order to help shift campus culture to one of respect and consent, and to create a community free of GBSV.

The 0-credit course will be released in early August 2023 with course code CONSENT 1A00 and SGS 202, respectively. The module can be accessed on Avenue to Learn.

Incoming undergraduate and graduate students for the 2023-24 academic year at McMaster will be automatically enrolled in it, and other students at McMaster are also encouraged to complete the module.

The module takes approximately 45-60 minutes to complete, and students are encouraged to complete the course before classes begin.

If you are experiencing distress while completing the module, We encourage you to take care of yourself however you see fit, including pausing the module and resuming later or connecting with us or connecting with additional support resources on campus, in the community, by phone, and online.

What else is McMaster doing to create a campus free from gender based sexual violence?

While this module is an important step in this work, it must be part of larger efforts in order to achieve a culture of consent. Some of the other work done by SVPRO and the Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO) include:

• Updating the Sexual Violence Policy and Discrimination & Harassment Policy every three years, in consultation with staff, faculty, and students
• Convening the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Task Force, comprised of staff, faculty, and students, bimonthly through the academic year
• Facilitating trainings and workshops to student leaders, staff, and faculty groups by request
• Facilitating regular webinars on a variety of topics related to consent and healthy masculinity, open to McMaster and the wider community
• Providing case management support to anybody at McMaster who has experienced GBSV
• Working collaboratively with campus partners such as the Student Wellness Centre, Residence Life, Archway, the Student Success Centre, the Black Student Success Centre, Indigenous Student Services, Athletics and Recreation, Student Case Management, the Faculty of Health Sciences Professionalism Office, Employee Labour Relations, and others in prevention and response efforts
• Working collaboratively with community partners such as the Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton Area and the Woman Abuse Working Group