As the world turns its attention to the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 Days of Activism campaign, the University of Lethbridge announces its #ULETHUNITE campaign and the introduction of a new mobile application designed to enhance campus safety.
The Engaging Young People to Prevent Violence against Women on Post-Secondary Campuses project, launched in November 2012 and funded by the Government of Canada Status of Women, has worked toward strengthening already existing campus services, promoting additional safety mechanisms and engaging students in an ongoing campaign of awareness and education about gender-based violence. #ULETHUNITE and the new ULethbridge Toolkit App are derivatives of that project.
“It’s exciting to be able to announce the successful completion of this project and to publicly launch the ULethbridge Toolkit App,” says Dr. Judith Lapadat, the University’s associate vice-president (students). “Two years ago we received a significant boost in the form of a $200,000 grant from the Government of Canada to implement mechanisms for preventing gender-based violence on campus. It has given us the opportunity to work closely with the YWCA Lethbridge District and the Sexual Violence Action Committee to ensure that we have an inclusive campus for all students.”
The ULethbridge Toolkit App, available for free download in the App Store, contains valuable resources such as maps of campus, quick links to access Campus Security and the University’s Safe Walk program as well as links to support resources both on and off campus. The app also has hot buttons to turn on your phone’s flashlight, call campus security or access 911 services, along with a host of other essential functions. In addition, there is information designed to spark a cultural shift in the way we think about sexual violence.
“What’s exciting about this initiative is that, from the start, it has been student driven,” says Kristine J. Cassie, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Lethbridge District. “We identified from the beginning that it had to start with the students and they have been a part of developing every aspect of this campaign. Really, that’s the only way that it can be meaningful and sustainable.”
A student working group was organized early in the process and was instrumental in developing a comprehensive strategy around the prevention of sexual violence on campus. Out of that, the ULeth Toolkit App was developed. Building on this initiative, the #ULETHUNITE campaign was created. Its orange theme is inspired by the United Nations Secretary General’s campaign, UNiTE to End Violence Against Women, where everyone is invited to ‘Orange Their Neighbourhood’.
“The topic of sexual violence on campus can be difficult to talk about, so as a group we felt it was important to make information available to students in an accessible way,” says master’s candidate Brad Robertson, a member of the ULeth Toolkit Working Group. “We felt that an app took advantage of students’ technology driven lifestyles, while also potentially reaching a large audience.”
Over the next 16 days, a number of activities will take place on campus in concert with the 16 Days of Activism campaign to further raise awareness around the issue of sexual violence.