The Active Bystander Network (ABN) is a unique opportunity for students to influence positive change by engaging in sexual violence prevention and education at Simon Fraser University. Coordinated through the Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office (SVSPO), this is an opportunity to raise awareness on sexual violence and create a culture of care and consent at SFU. 

Active Bystander Network members are trained in how to recognize and intervene appropriately in situations that may trivialize or lead to sexual violence. They also educate the campus community on topics such as how to be an active bystander, consent, rape culture, and sexual violence resources at SFU. ABN members provide outreach initiatives that contribute to raising student understanding of the issues surrounding sexual violence.

Eligibility

This volunteer opportunity is open to all SFU and FIC students, of all identities and experiences. There are many communities whose voices have been historically left out of these violence prevention peer education spaces and conversations (for example, people with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and people who identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+). We seek to lift up and center the voices of those most impacted by sexual violence.

Requirements:

• A commitment to sexual violence prevention, anti-oppression, justice and equity.
• Ideally, some previous experience in peer programs, outreach, facilitation skills or equivalent leadership/community involvement experience.
• Be an active ambassador for the SVSPO through outreach across all 3 SFU campuses and partnerships with students and departments at SFU and FIC.
• Completion of mandatory asynchronous and synchronous training in August
• Attend mandatory ABN’s weekly meetings on Wednesdays (time is to be determined by the team)
• Commitment to volunteering for two consecutive terms (Fall and Spring)
• Work collaboratively with fellow Peer members to develop, lead, and organize student-centred initiatives that inspire dialogue and action
• Co-create campaigns, social media posts, events and other initiatives to create a culture of care and consent on Campus.

What does it mean to be an Active Bystander? 

An Active Bystander is someone who: 

• Works to build a community that does not allow sexual violence
• Looks out for others: supports those impacted by harmful comments, jokes, and behaviour
• Intervenes in an appropriate way considering their own circumstances and the situation
• Considers their own safety 

To learn more, check out this blog by one of our ABN members!

Benefits: 

• Meet other like-minded students who are committed towards creating a culture of care, consent and respect at SFU
• Gain leadership and interpersonal skills, enhance and refine marketing, promotions, and event planning skills
• Apply academic theory and skills to develop unique initiatives to create awareness, and education on sexual violence prevention with the resources and support from the SVSPO
• Enhance knowledge on of sexual violence prevention, bystander intervention, how to support survivors of sexual violence and systems of oppression and how they relate to sexual and gender-based violence
• Learn to work within a volunteer environment and contribute to a dynamic team