What’s happening?
Douglas College is hosting discussion on sexual violence, intimate partner violence, masculinity and more at SHIFT: Let’s talk gender violence. The goal is to shine a light on the issue of gender violence through film, dialogue and interaction with community stakeholders.
Can you elaborate?
Each night features a documentary that addresses themes related to gender violence – including intimate partner violence, masculinity and sexual violence – and concludes with a discussion facilitated by the filmmaker or a faculty member.
* Sept. 24, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Virtual reality documentary, Highway of Tears
* Sept. 25, 7 to 9 p.m.: Remembering Maple
* Sept. 26, 7 to 9 p.m.: The Mask You Live In
* Sept. 27, 7 to 9 p.m.: Luk’Luk’l
* Sept. 28, 7 to 9 p.m.: panel discussion.
Why attend?
“The past year has seen an overwhelming increase in public visibility around gender-based violence, and specifically sexual violence and harassment within a variety of settings, from Hollywood to college campuses from #MeToo to #TimesUp,” said Lisa Smith, sociology instructor and event organizer. “To some extent, this issue (gender-based violence) is not new. At the same time, the public nature and intensity of conversations has been impacted by the rise of social media as a forum, as well as key shifts in politics and society more broadly.”
Smith said the organizing committee behind SHIFT is aiming to provide a space where people can confront difficult truths, ask difficult questions and engage in supported dialogue about gender-based violence in a safe, inclusive and caring environment.
“We need more spaces like this,” she said in a statement to the Record. “And more importantly, we need opportunities to connect with good, thoughtful well-informed responses from people who know and are doing work around gender-based violence in a variety of settings from community, to law enforcement, to college campuses and beyond.”
Details, please:
Community members are welcome to join Douglas College faculty and students at the events that are taking place at Douglas College’s New Westminster campus, 700 Royal Ave.
For more information, go to www.douglascollege.ca/shift.
