Designed to tackle sexual violence in higher education institutions, the website On s’écoute (available only in French) features stories told by survivors of sexual violence, educational content, resources, and a list of aid centers across Quebec. By focusing on lived experiences of past students, the website provides relevant information for students and staff alike.
A dynamic project
Created by a network of organizations that aspired to help Cegeps and universities better understand sexual violence on campus, On s’écoute was developed primarily by Concordia University and supported by the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (MES). This dynamic project, led by postdoctoral researcher and documentary filmmaker Léa Clermont-Dion, uses a variety of methods to help students and pedagogical staff understand and prevent sexual violence.
Stories of sexual violence
The website centers on four videos. Each video features a young woman who recounts her story of sexual violence, how it impacted her, and how she found a way to overcome the painful experience.
Drugs, alcohol, and sexual assault
In this video, a young woman shares her story of how she was sexually assaulted by several men after being drugged at a social event. This video reminds us that the responsibility always falls on the perpetrators of such a violent act, not on the women who are under the influence of substances and thus unable to freely give their consent.
Power dynamics
This video explores how a woman faced sexual harassment and pressure from her professor at university. The narrator emphasizes the toxic environment the abuse created, as well as the need for more intervention in campuses.
Intersectionality
In this video, a woman of color explains how the marginalization and discrimination she faced made her more vulnerable to sexual violence.
Psychological consequences
Accompanied by a sexologist, an athlete describes how the emotional scars and trauma from an assault impacted her athletic performance and career.
Tools to understand, prevent, and intervene
The website provides a variety of tools and resources to address sexual violence. Not only does this allow students, staff, and personnel to understand key concepts of sexual violence, but it also allows them to shift their mindset to a more helpful and critical approach. The long-term goal of On s’écoute is to decrease sexual violence in higher education institutions.
- Educational material: Brief yet informative videos that cover a variety of topics. Léa Clermont-Dion discusses consent and legal obligations in one of these videos.
- Interactive map: A map that allows users to search for Crime Victims Assistance Centres and Sexual Assault Support Centres across Quebec and get the help they need.
- Content: Video content that helps us better understand the intersections of racism and sexism, power dynamics, and queerphobia.
