Women's Safety Awareness

Centennial College has several activities in response to women’s campus safety. Through awareness, education and prevention programs, Centennial is committed to enhancing the safety and well-being of all women on-campus including students, staff and community members.

1. Stalking

Stalking can be classified as unwanted behaviour directed to a particular person in the form of harassing or threatening. Stalking is a serious and problematic issue that can lead the victim to be fearful of their surrounding at all times.

Behaviour's of Stalkers

• Repeated following
• Repeatedly sending their victims unwanted gifts or messages
• Constantly calling their victim
• Threatening to hurt
• Controlling
• Showing up unexpectedly at a particular location where their victim is

Safety Tips

• If you are in immediate danger, please call 911
• Take stalkers seriously and act with caution
• Contact safety and security on campus and ask to be escorted to your car or bus stop
• Never travel alone
• Contact police
• Contact a crisis hotline
• Ask family, friends and co-workers for support

2. Rape/Sexual Assault

Rape, whether date rape or drug induced rape, and sexual assault is non-consensual sexual behaviour. Rape occurs when one individual forces another individual to have sexual intercourse against their own will. Sexual assault can include unwanted touching, fondling or groping of sexual body parts.

Safety Tips

• Be aware of social situations
• Trust your instincts. Never put yourself in an uncomfortable position
• Exercise your rights and be assertive
• If you feel threatened, create a scene to get attention
• Call the police
• If you suspect you were drugged, seek medical attention immediately

3. Violence in Relationships

Violence in relationships can be characterized by controlling, abusive and aggressive behaviors that occur in so called romantic relationships. The violence can be verbal, emotional, physical or sexual or a combination of all.

Early warning signs of such relationships can include:

• Possessiveness
• Jealousy
• Insults
• Threats

Safety Tips

• If you suspect you are in a violent relationship, get out of it immediately
• Seek help if you are being abused  by calling the police or 911
• Ask someone you trust for help, such as a family member or close friend
• Talk to someone about your feelings