SASSL: The Sexual Assault Survivors' Support Line and Leadership

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“What Sex Workers Know About How To End Sexual and All Violence Against All Women”

SASSL will be hosting speakers from Maggie’s: The Toronto Sex Workers Action Project to discuss the current situation around sex work and outline how the oppression of sex workers effects all women. The discussion will take place on January 29th, 2013 from 7:00pm-10:00-pm in Curtis Lecture Hall 110. For more information please visit the events page or the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/531183386906673/

2013 Wen-Do Courses!

SASSL will be holding two sets of Wen-Do course this semester. The first course is Saturday February 2nd and 9th, 2013. The five-week course will be held on Tuesday evenings from March 19th to April 16th, 2013. The course will be free to York affiliated people (students, alumni, staff); all other interested community members will have to pay a nominal $35 fee. If would like to take the course, please contact wendo.sassl@gmail.com; you must be able to attend all 5 classes. Wendo courses are specifically for participants who self-identify as women. For more information about Wendo courses, check out our News & Events page.

New this year, Sport York will also be holding Wen-Do courses! Classes will be held over one full weekend at the Tait Mackenzie Centre. There are two weekends to choose from April 6th and April 13th. You can register in person at Client Services at the Tait McKenzie Centre. A valid YU-card, membership card or photo ID must be shown. Payment can be made with cash, debit, Visa or MasterCard. The course is free but a $10 fee is required to hold your spot in the course. For more information check out Sports & Recreation York at http://recreation.yorku.ca and click on Recreation Guide.

Announcement: Community Forum

In response to the horrific message written on our door, SASSL is organizing a Community Forum on Thursday, February 16th, at 6:30 pm in room 305 York Lanes.

It is vital that SASSL receives support from the community. But as a student-run organization there is only so much we can do, only so much noise we can make. We need your ideas and your voices!

See you there!

________________________________________________

Press Release Regarding Hate Graffiti

Between the hours of 1:00pm on Friday February 3rd and 8:00am on Saturday February 4th, the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Support Line and Leadership received a violent threat. “Watch out! I’m gonna rape you again!” was written on their office door. SASSL notified York Security and the Toronto Police Services.

This act is part of a rape culture that is not exclusive to York University or the York community. This is an example of a culture that accepts violence against people that identify as women and demonstrates a need for further education. SASSL condemns the actions of the people responsible for this threat. A rape culture supports rape and violence against women. It is a culture that accepts this rape and sexual violence as a norm.

This will not divide allies, stop support services to survivors, or stop work to end gendered violence.

SASSL appreciates the support and quick responses that have been received from community members. Further awareness to what has happened will be raised along with a campaign to further condemn this incident. SASSL appreciates the community’s continued support.

Thank You.

Most sexual assaults are done by someone we know. Whether it’s recent or it happened a long time ago, being at school can bring up issues about sexual assault. Luckily the campus has resources that can help.

University is the perfect place to make friends and build new memories. Just remember: No matter how much you drink, what you’re wearing, or “how far you go” with someone, No still means No!

SASSL’s confidential, 24-hour Support Line:

416-650-8056

For all other inquiries, please call SASSL’s main office line:

416-736-2100 ext.40345

Assaulted Women’s Helpline:
Telephone support and counselling available in several languages.
(416) 863-0511 / TTY (416) 863-7868 / #7233 on your Bell Mobility phone
www.awhl.org

Toronto Rape Crisis Centre Crisis Line
416 597 8808
http://www.trccmwar.ca