New mandatory course aims to increase awareness and prevention of sexual violence at UPEI
Starting this semester, all new University of Prince Edward Island students are required to complete a mandatory non-credit course, Preventing Sexual Violence at UPEI. While the course is a graduation requirement for students starting programs in the Fall of 2023, all other UPEI students are encouraged to complete it and earn a badge on a voluntary basis.
In April 2022, the UPEI Senate passed a motion requiring students to complete this course with the goal of increasing sexual violence awareness and prevention among students and to equip them with the knowledge and skills to recognize sexual violence, to interrupt the harm, and to know the options available for support and reporting at UPEI.
“UPEI is committed to building an inclusive campus culture where all students feel welcomed, respected, and valued on campus,” said Dr. Greg Naterer, Vice-President Academic and Research at UPEI. “As part of this commitment, students at UPEI will have access to a free course involving a safe and violence-free environment for all members of the University community.”
The course consists of five modules: Consent, Consent at Work, Recognizing Sexualized Violence, Interrupting Harm, and How to Respond to a Disclosure at UPEI. It also includes a module that guides participants in grounding techniques that can be used when the content is difficult and triggering as well as information about supports that are available in the community.
It takes approximately one to two hours on average to complete the course, and it does not have to be completed all at once. Students can complete part of the course and return to finish it at a later time or date.
Students will find the Preventing Sexual Violence at UPEI course listed on their Progress page in myUPEI and can register for it at no cost by adding it to their course plan at any time during the year. Once a student has registered, they can access the course in Moodle through this link: https://moodle31.upei.ca/course/view.php?id=12076.
Any questions about the course or requests for support can be directed to Candice Perry, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Manager, at 902-620-5090 or sv-pro@upei.ca.
The UPEI Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) also leads other education initiatives on campus. As part of Consent Awareness Week, September 18 to 22, the UPEI SVPRO, in collaboration with the UPEI Student Union, hosted a kick-off fair, workshop about consent, a bath bomb DIY wellness event, a sex education session, and a pizza party.
