How do we expose the ways that Brock University has re-victimized survivors of sexual violence without subjecting survivors to backlash for speaking out?
SASA is providing an opportunity for survivors to share their stories anonymously.
What do we hope to achieve?
- Despite the fact that breaking the silence can feel impossible, we would like to provide a space where survivors can share their stories while feeling validated, heard and potentially make a difference on campus
- Create unification and solidarity amongst survivors
- Pressure the university to make changes to their sexual assault response policies, so that survivors can report and no longer feel silenced, blamed or rejected
- Address and alter rape culture attitudes and beliefs on campus
In what ways would SASA share the stories?
- Post on our blog and/or read openly to shed light on the struggles and perseverance of survivors at Brock
- Present to the Administration’s Task Force on Sexual Assault to alert them of the realities of sexual assault for Brock community members
How can survivors send their stories to SASA
- Drop box at Women and Gender Studies’ (WGST) office outside of MCD 333 (Please address to SASA) **Please note that in WGST – any materials for SASA will be collected in the locked mailbox by our admin assistant and locked in a cabinet for SASA to collect.**
- Email us at brocksasa@gmail.com
- Private message us through facebook at facebook.com/sasabrock
*Please include any trigger warnings you want to be included*
About submitting a story:
- We will black out all names or any other information that may tie stories back to individuals
- When sending a story by e-mail, for privacy, we suggest sending from a non-brock e-mail account as Brock University has the ability to access all brock e-mail correspondents
- Survivors of all gender identities are welcome to submit their stories
- All submissions sent to us by email, blog, or facebook will receive an electronic confirmation
Some survivors may feel that the anonymity of this project provides them a unique opportunity to share their stories. However, SASA acknowledges that some survivors might also feel that removing names is an erasure of their survivorhood and agency.
Why will SASA keep stories anonymous?
- We anticipate this project will likely generate push back since social conventions typically silence survivors of sexual assault. Therefore, to protect survivors and to reduce the risk of this project being shutdown, we have made the difficult decision to make all stories anonymous.
If you are a survivor and would like to have more ownership in the telling of your experience, please let us know as we welcome you to share your story at our Stories of Survivorhood Event on March 31st at 5:00pm in room WH 207.
We acknowledge that there are often similarities of survivorhood as they all exist in rape culture; but we also honour that every survivor’s story is unique and although they might vary, each experience is valid.
We understand that after an assault it can feel incredibly isolating and silencing. It is very difficult to share your story. If you’re not ready to share, that is also ok. We welcome you to attend events during SASA’s awareness week (March 28th-March 31st) or contact us at brocksasa@gmail.com for additional opportunities.
Sending support and love,
The SASA Executive
Survivorhood Stories 