Concordia’s Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance tackles sexual violence within Quebec colleges and universities
The Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance (CSLP) at Concordia has initiated a groundbreaking campaign called On s’écoute aimed at addressing sexual violence within higher-education institutions. Unveiled on March 19, it seeks to raise awareness, educate and mobilize the college and university community across the province.
On s’écoute is part of the Government of Quebec’s 2022–2027 action plan to prevent and counter sexual violence in higher education.
The project was conceived and spearheaded by filmmaker and postdoctoral fellow Léa Clermont-Dion. She is working alongside Vivek Venkatesh, professor of inclusive practices in visual arts in the Department of Art Education in the Faculty of Fine Arts, co-director of the CSLP and UNESCO co-chair in the Prevention of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism.
The On s’écoute website offers training on sexual consent developed by Clermont-Dion and team members Samy-Jane Tremblay and Lydia Bigelow. The site also showcases video testimonials produced by filmmaker Gianluca Della Montagna and features an interactive map providing support resources across the province for survivors of sexual violence.
For Clermont-Dion, consent is learned and sex education is essential to prevent and combat sexual violence effectively.
“By becoming aware of our individual and collective responsibility we will achieve a healthy and safe culture of respect in higher education."
According to Venkatesh, On s’écoute goes beyond mere awareness.
“It encourages members of the higher education community to think critically about their knowledge, prejudices and behaviour, with the aim of creating a culture of consent.”
On s’écoute was launched at Concordia’s 4TH SPACE with members of le Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur as well as partners from la Fédération étudiante collégiale du Québec and l’Union étudiante du Québec in attendance.
On s’écoute joins the It Takes All of Us sexual violence and awareness training as two important Concordia-led initiatives to eliminate sexual violence on Quebec campuses. It Takes All of Us was developed by Concordia’s Sexual Assault Resource Centre and since 2019, it has been taken more than 100,000 times by Concordia staff, faculty and students. More than a dozen Quebec post-secondary institutions have also adopted this online training module.
Watch the launch of the On s’écoute campaign that took place at Concordia’s 4TH SPACE.
Learn more about the sexual violence resources offered at Concordia.
