SFU Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office

Looking to make a difference in building safer communities?

We're looking for compassionate, outgoing, and committed volunteers to join our Outreach Team for the Fall 2026 term! As a Volunteer Outreach Advocate, you'll play a key role in supporting peers to learn more about s*xualized violence, sharing information about the services and support offered by the SVSPO and engaging the campus community through educational campaigns and initiatives.

This is a meaningful opportunity to make a tangible impact, develop your leadership, and communication skills, and connect with others who care deeply about co-building caring communities, social justice, and equity.

Some benefits to volunteer with us:

🌿Engage with the SFU community to promote our support, initiatives and services.

🌱Assist in organizing and participating in community outreach events.

🌾Collect feedback and provide insights to improve our outreach strategies.

🍃Represent our office with all who you are

If you’re ready to be a part of meaningful opportunity, we’d love to hear from you! To apply, find us through My Involvement [Job ID #6769 ] Applications close on August 10

Summer is a season many people look forward to, and it can often seem like everyone is feeling happy and excited. However, for many survivors, this time of year can also be difficult or triggering.

The summer months can bring pressure to appear cheerful, socialize more, or “make the most” of the season, while changes in routine and structure may also impact wellbeing. If you are finding it hard to feel excited about the season or are struggling with the loss of routine and stability, you are not alone.

Here are a few ways to support yourself this season:

🪶Give yourself permission to rest and move at your own pace

💞 Spend time with people who help you feel safe, supported, and understood

🫸Limit social activities or situations that feel overwhelming or draining

🐈Stay connected to things that bring comfort, such as music, movement, nature, journaling, pets, or creative activities

📱Take breaks from social media if comparison or pressure starts affecting your wellbeing

🪴Reach out for support when needed: we are here for you. The SVSPO offers resources and one-on-one support all summer long.

Visit the "Contact Us" link in our bio to learn more about the support and resources available to you.

S*x work is work. Despite growing awareness, s*x work remains deeply stigmatized in our society. S*x workers, including women, men, transgender, and non-binary people, and particularly those who are Indigenous, Black, people of colour, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, continue to face disproportionate levels of violence, discrimination, dehumanization, and further harm.

Many also experience s*xualized violence and encounter significant barriers when trying to access safety, support, and essential services.

We all have a role to play in challenging stigma and working toward the dignity, rights, and safety of s*x workers. This includes listening to s*x workers’ lived experiences, learning from their struggles and victories, supporting organizations led by s*x workers, challenging harmful stereotypes, and advocating for policies that uphold their rights and wellbeing.

We want to invite you to reflect more broadly on how rights are distributed, and who are still being denied full access to safety, recognition, and care.

To learn more about support and education services in Metro Vancouver, or to volunteer your time or donate, please check out the organizations shared in this post.

🌹PACE Society

🌹WISH Drop In Centre

🌹Vancouver S*x Work Community Alliance [email protected]

🌹SWAN Vancouver Society

🌹Living in Community https://ow.ly/N6fr50Z5pSq

🌹Surrey Women’s Centre

🌹Vancouver Women’s Health Collective

We know Pride during the summer months is a time when 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are more visible and celebrated. It is also an important moment to honour the historical and ongoing contributions of Black q***r and trans communities of color to q***r liberation and to Pride itself, work that has shaped, sustained, and advanced movements for justice, visibility, and belonging.

At the SVSPO, we are committed to listening to and learning from 2SLGBTQIA+ voices, and to keep co-creating spaces where q***r and trans communities are seen, heard, and valued in our community.

Take some time this summer to cultivate your own wellness with the Garden Therapy for Self-Care group, offered by SFU's Health and Counselling Services.

Dates: May 25, June 15 and 29, July 13 and 27, August 10
Time: 2:00-3:30pm
Location: Maggie Benston Field, SFU Burnaby Campus

Each session includes gentle, hands-on gardening activities paired with opportunities for reflection and connection. Activities may include:

🌱 Planting seeds and learning about germination
🌱 Caring for plants and observing growth over time
🌱Practicing mindfulness through sensory engagement with soil, plants, and the garden space
🌱Reflecting on how growth in the garden can mirror personal growth and resilience

Sessions are designed to be calm, welcoming, and flexible.

This series is free and open to all SFU or FIC students. To register or learn more, email: [email protected].

The SVSPO will be closed on Monday, May 18 for the stat holiday. We’ll be back on Tuesday, May 19 for our regular in-person and virtual services.

If you need urgent assistance, please visit the link in our bio for information about 24/7 community support services.

🌞 Welcome to the summer term!

The SVSPO team is here to support you all summer long 💙

You can reach us anytime by:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 778‑782‑7233
—or connect directly with a team member.

✨ Meet the SVSPO Team ✨

Wyll & Julie | Case Managers
Wyll and Julie support SFU and FIC students and employees who have experienced s*xualized violence, or who are looking for guidance on how to support someone else.

Shereen | Clinical Counsellor (SFU Health & Counselling Services)
Shereen specializes in trauma and s*xualized violence and offers confidential counselling support for SFU and FIC students.

Paola | Educator
Paola develops and facilitates workshops and education programs on s*xualized violence prevention for undergraduate and graduate students, and works closely with student groups and student leaders to co-create learning opportunities.

Belinda | Educational Specialist
Belinda develops and facilitates workshops and other educational programming for SFU, FIC, or CDM employees, including staff, faculty, and student staff.

CJ | Director
CJ oversees the S*xualized Violence Policy (GP 44), the SVSPO Advisory Panel, and campus‑wide prevention and response strategies.

🐾 Lil & Woody | SVSPO Ambassadors
For the dog-lovers: here to offer comforting canine cuddles during visits!

To learn more about our supports and how to connect, check out the link in our bio 🔗
You don’t have to go through things alone — we’re here for you.

On May 5th, National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S), we honor those lost to colonial and gender-based violence and stand with the families and communities living with this grief every day.

On Tuesday, May 5th, visit the memorial tables from 12:00–2:00pm at any campus:

🌹Burnaby: Student Union Building, Reception Area
🌹Surrey SRYC Mezzanine
🌹Vancouver (Harbour Centre): Lobby

Activities include:

-Learn about the significance of MMIWG2S and Red Dress Day
-Memorial table to honor lives lost – bring a meaningful offering (flower, stone, note, leaf, or small artwork)
-Coloring pages and pin-making station

Other ways to get involved:

-Wear red on the week of May 5 to raise awareness
-Attend MMIWG2S awareness events
-Hang a red dress in your window in solidarity
-Read the National Inquiry’s Final Report on MMIWG2S
-Donate to local initiatives supporting Indigenous women:

Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
Native Women’s Association of Canada
Aboriginal Mother Centre Society

Let’s come together to honor lives, raise awareness, and take action to support Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people and their communities. ❤️

The exams are over! Well, done, you made it! 🎉

The end of term can be stressful, but now it’s your time to pause, reflect, and celebrate all the effort you’ve put in. Recharge your energy, enjoy the things that make you happy, and reconnect with friends, family, or yourself. Take a moment to feel proud of what you’ve accomplished this term.

We are here for you during the summer.

We understand that sharing a harmful experience can feel heavy, and the SVSPO wants to assure you that support is available. Whether you’ve experienced harm or witnessed it, the S*xual Violence Support & Prevention Office is here to listen and help, regardless of when or where it happened or regardless of your s*xual orientation or gender identity. You don't need to label your experience or worry if its "counts", we're here for you, no matter what.

To connect with a case manager for support, email [email protected], call 778.782.7233, or text a case manager directly. Also, you can connect with us anonymously to find support, even if you're not sure what kind of help you need. We’re here to support you in whatever way feels right for you.

We also offer virtual drop-in hours Monday-Thursday:

🌿Mondays and Thursdays: 10:30am-12:30pm

☘️Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 1:30-3:30pm

For more info about how to connect with us, see the link about our contact page in our bio.

Happy Volunteer Week!

This week, we want to celebrate the amazing SVSPO Outreach Team! 🌟 Your dedication, energy, and passion help strengthen our campus community and make our office a brighter, more welcoming place. The time and effort you give to connect with others and create meaningful change truly makes a difference, and we are so grateful for every one of you. 💛

To all our volunteers: thank you for showing up, spreading information about our office, and inspiring those around you. Your commitment embodies the spirit of collective care.

Interested in joining us? We’ll be welcoming new Outreach volunteers for the Fall term, and we’d love to have you join our team! Check the My Involvement page mid-summer for upcoming opportunities.