OPEN HOUSE: Get to know Concordia’s Sexual Assault Resource Centre
It’s a safe haven and an important campus destination.
Concordia’s Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) is set up in a new location in Room H-645 of the Henry F. Hall Building (1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.), ready to serve and support.
“SARC is having an open house on Thursday, September 14, and we’ll be hosting monthly Tuesday breakfasts starting the following week,” says Jennifer Drummond, SARC coordinator.
“It’s a casual way for students to have a first point of contact with us — especially if they’re thinking of coming forward for support.”
Conversations about consent
The open house is part of SARC’s annual consent awareness campaign, which also includes 60- to 90-minute consent workshops at Concordia’s student residences. The sessions will be given to university athletes on varsity teams as well.
“Responding to student feedback, the workshops will be a little different this year,” Drummond says. “We won’t be using any PowerPoints. Instead, we’ll make it more engaging by focusing on group discussions and activities.”
More about SARC
Back at the new SARC office, there will be drop-in activities from Mondays to Wednesdays throughout the year. Sessions include a creative expression group, discussion group and a coping skills group.
Operating within Student Services under the umbrella of the Dean of Students Office, SARC is staffed by a full-time professional social worker and assistant, with the help of student volunteers. Drummond’s team now includes a part-time social work intern.
The centre offers free, confidential support to students, staff and faculty of all genders and sexual orientations. Services include crisis intervention, accompaniment, education, outreach activities and peer-support initiatives.
“The focus of the fall campaign is to promote consent awareness — one of the cornerstones of our mission at the centre,” says Drummond.
“Our goal is to support survivors in every way we can,” she adds. “The new office is much more welcoming and serves the individuals that use our services much better. People shouldn’t hesitate to drop by.”
Come to the Sexual Assault Resource Centre open house on Thursday, September 14 between 12 and 2 p.m. at its new location in Room H-645 on the sixth floor of the Henry F. Hall Building (1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.), on the Sir George Williams Campus.
