Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2025
Welcome to Sexual Violence Awareness Week!
Join us as we come together to raise awareness, support survivors and create a safer, more compassionate environment for all! This week is all about learning, listening and taking action to end sexual violence in our communities.
What is Sexual Violence?
Sexual violence refers to any sexual activity or behaviour that occurs without the consent of one of the parties involved. This includes - but is not limited to, rape, sexual assault, harassment, and exploitation. It can happen to anyone—regardless of gender, age, or background—and often involves manipulation, coercion, or abuse of power.
Sexual violence can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects on survivors. These impacts can affect their sense of safety, relationships, and overall well-being.
Why is it Important?
Sexual violence is a serious issue that affects millions of people worldwide, and it’s something we cannot ignore. Here's why it's so crucial to raise awareness:
- Support for Survivors: Raising awareness helps ensure that survivors feel supported, believed, and empowered to seek the help they need. It also helps break down the stigma surrounding survivors of sexual violence.
- Prevention: The more we talk about sexual violence, the more we can educate ourselves and others on how to prevent it. By challenging harmful norms, stereotypes, and behaviours, we can help reduce the incidence of sexual violence.
- Promoting Consent: Teaching and promoting the importance of clear, enthusiastic consent in all interactions is key to ending sexual violence. Everyone has the right to make choices about their bodies, and those choices must be respected.
- Breaking the Silence: Sexual violence thrives in silence. By speaking out and having open conversations, we contribute to ending the culture of silence and shame that often surrounds these issues.
- Building a Safer Future: When we all take part in the effort to raise awareness, support survivors, and push for policy changes, we create a future where everyone is safer and treated with respect and dignity.
Consent is Key!
Consent means everyone involved is fully on board, comfortable, and excited about what's happening. It’s all about clear communication, respect, and ensuring no one ever feels pressured or uncertain. So, let's keep it simple—ask, respect, and listen. When consent is clear, everyone wins!
Let's create a world where respect, trust, and mutual understanding are at the heart of every relationship.
Join the Conversation - Follow us on social media and join the discussion using the hashtag #PowerinPrevention
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Event Schedule:
Day 1: Break the silence - Student’s Union Event
Description – To kick start Sexual Violence Awareness week, we will be holding an event where you can meet the Standing Together team, see what options of support are available, engage in fun activities, and make sure that your voices are HEARD. Join us as we raise awareness, empower survivors and contribute to a safe and inclusive community!
📅 Monday 3rd of February
📍 The Student Union Square
⏰ 11am –1pm
Day 2: Be an Active Bystander Workshop
Description – As part of Sexual Violence Awareness week, we are collaborating with MedRace to deliver a workshop about what it means to be an active bystander!
📅 Tuesday 4th of February
📍 Leicester Medical School, George Davies Centre
⏰ 1pm –2pm
Day 3: Standing Together Showcase
Description – To find out more about the Standing Together team and what we do, find us in the George Davies Centre!
📅 Wednesday 5th of February
📍 Leicester Medical School, George Davies Centre
⏰ 11am –2pm