How to respond to victims of sexual violence with compassion

A scholar and activist, who has advocated against sexual violence for more than a decade, will share current research findings about sexual violence prevention and supporting survivors with compassion at a public lecture on campus.

University of Waterloo’s Equity Office, along with campus partners, are inviting staff, students, faculty and members of the community to Rachel Alicia Griffin’s lecture - Sexual Violence, Social Justice and Compassion.  It will be held on Thursday September 29 at the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre. Her lecture will be followed by a question and answer period and reception.

Seating is limited and people can register here for the public lecture. Doors open at 3:15 pm and seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Sexual violence is experienced by women, men, girls, boys and transgender people of all ages.  Although sexual assault is prevalent, it remains one of the most underreported violent crimes in Canada. In addition, social attitudes and assumptions, including rape myths and misogynistic beliefs, can downplay the seriousness of sexual violence and discourage survivors from coming forward. Open and honest conversations that challenge these attitudes are essential to combating sexual violence in our communities.

Griffin, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Utah, has research interests that span Black feminist thought, critical race theory, popular culture, sport, education and sexual violence. She was awarded the Judge William Holmes Cook Professorship from 2012 to 2015 by the Office of the Associate Chancellor for Institutional Diversity at Southern Illinois University and the 2015 Scholar-Activist Award by the Critical Cultural Studies Division of the National Communication Association.