Sexual health & violence support committee
The Sexual Health and Violence Support Committee is a student-led committee that aims to bring awareness initiatives to Sheridan that can educate students on important sexual health and sexual violence topics in order to provide tools to create a safer, aware, and trauma-informed campus.
As your Student Union we are committed to advocating for all Sheridan students sexual health needs and creating an environment that promotes safe space for all on campus. The Sexual Health and Violence Support Committee is a student-led committee is focused on ensuring students have access to the correct information as well as helpful resources and support.
The Sexual Health and Violence Support Committee:
Educates the members of the Sheridan Community by creating and promoting resources and services related to sexual violence and health,
Makes recommendations to rethink policies and procedures at the college and other post-secondary institutions,
Further develops, or creates new resources, to support sexual health and wellness as students and individuals at Sheridan,
Advocates on behalf of students to staff and faculty to help create a supportive community through Sheridan and other post-secondary institutions,
Works towards shaping and maintaining healthy culture of non-tolerance of sexual violence at Sheridan.
Through this student-led and student-focused group, SHAVS is committed to providing support, advocacy, resources, workshops, and education about Sexual Health and Sexual Violence to Sheridan students.
What We Do
Education
SHAVS will design educational resources that will keep students interested, spark conversation and lead to better education on sexual health, wellness, and violence topics.
Workshops & Events
Student leaders will create and facilitate workshops and events that will engage with students, educate them on various topics, and provide guidance on actions they can take to advocate against sexual violence at Sheridan.
Outreach & Community Work
SHAVS will design and create resources and platforms that students can use to reach out and report issues, provide feedback, and review resources and services available to them. This will be an online platform but will include some in-person services and resources.
Volunteer with SHAVS
(Sheridan’s Sexual Health & Violence Committee)
Sheridan students who are passionate about joining Sheridan’s Sexual Health and Violence Committee are encouraged to fill out the form below. Please note, if selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly by the committee.
Qualifications for joining this committee include:
Full-time students with a 2.5 GPA
Excellent collaboration skills and communication skills
Passion for Sheridan community and student engagement
An interest and basic understanding of sexual health and sexual violence prevention
An interest and awareness on how to create trauma-informed spaces is a plus
Through the SHAVS Committee you will:
Only have to commit to a once a month meeting
Participate in any events that the committee plans
Receive co-curricular recognition (CCR) Credit
Gain new skills and experience to add to your resume
Consent Week Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Consent?
It’s Consent Week, Bruins! We’ve got a lot of fun events happening this week and a chance for you to learn something new (and win awesome prizes). Take this Consent Week quiz from Sept 19 -Sept 22 for a chance to enter our Consent Week giveaway!
Sexual Health Resources
Sexual Health is defined as “a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality.” Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.
Recently, SHAVS hosted a Sexual Health 101 workshop to share all the need-to-know information on sexual health and the services available to you as a Sheridan student.
Did you know Sheridan students have access to these sexual health services through the Health Centre:
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Sheridan Health Centres offer a variety of services, including sexual transmitted infections (STI) testing. For more information on how to get tested, visit Sheridan’s Health Centre page for more information.
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There are a variety of contraception that are available to prevent pregnancy such as condoms (free of charge for students in the Health Centre), Plan B, birth control pills and IUD and more.
To learn how to access these products as a student, visit or contact the Sheridan College Health Centre at your campus.
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Sheridan Health Centres can provide Sheridan students with pregnancy testing. For more information on how to get a test, here’s how to contact your home campus Health Centre.
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A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a screening procedure for cervical cancer. It tests for the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells on your cervix.
If you have questions about this procedure or would like to schedule an appointment, here’s how to contact your campus Health Centre.
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Students can approach The Health Centre for supportive counselling and mental health crisis intervention. The Health Centre also helps students manage their medical needs.
For more information on how to get tested, visit or contact your home campus Health Centre.
The More You Know
common sti & stds
The assumption that a person with a sexually transmitted virus (STD) has engaged in high-risk or reckless sexual practices is inaccurate at best and harmful at worst. It prevents people from actively seeking assistance or support. Even if you don't have one, it's crucial to stay in the know.
The ANGEL SHOt
Are you on a date that isn’t working out? Is your date not who they said they were in their online profile? Do you feel like you are in an unsafe situation? Does it all feel a bit off?
If yes, Then this might be a good time for you to order an angel shot.
what is consent?
Consent isn’t only important when it comes to sex. Consent shows up in a lot of different scenarios like when get consent to post a photo of your friends, or play a high-risk sport or activities. When engaging in sexual activity, consent is a mix of verbal, facial cues and body language. Always make sure both parties give clear and verbal consent.
For more sexual health information, follow the Sexual Health and Violence Support Committee on Instagram.
Workshops & Events
Your student leaders host educational workshops and engaging events throughout the year.
Visit our Youtube channel to access more sexual health event recordings.
Download the Healthy Masculinity Presentation from our pop-up event
Violence prevention & Support
Consent is an important tool in creating safe spaces on and off-campus
Commitment to Consent
Consent is needed for everything, always. You might not realize it, but whether you’re single, in a long-term relationship or meeting for the first time, consent conversations are an important way to prevent unsolicited behaviour.
Healthy Relationships
Knowing how to communicate in relationships is a key. The goal is to build trust, feel emotionally and physically supported and safe, and respected in all relationships.
Ongoing Conversation
Consent conservations should be ongoing, regardless of the stage in the relationship. It’s important to check-in often as everyone’s comfort levels can change.
Who to Contact for Support
Sexual violence and harassment can happen while dating, with strangers and even in platonic relationships and can have impact on the lives of those affected. Coming forward as a witness or someone who has experienced sexual violence, regardless of it happened years ago or more recently is not easy. We want you to know you are not alone and there is support available to help you emotionally, physically and academically.
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Learn more about Sexual Violence Response Specialist
The Sexual Violence Response Specialist serves as a confidential resource for members of the Sheridan community impacted by Sexual Violence. The SVRS can provide support, guidance, resources and work with students directly to share direction on how to file (if that’s the route you decide to take).The Sexual Violence Response Specialist, Lianne Kendall, is available during business hours, from Monday to Friday.
Phone: 905-845.9430 ext. 8430
Email: svrs@sheridancollege.ca -
Get in contact with SRRO
Student Rights and Responsibility Office (SRRO) responds to reports of misconduct involving students. This is the official office that responds to reports of misconduct involving students.
If you decide to file a formal complaint under the Sexual Violence Policy, and have questions about your file or the investigation process, reach out to them directly.
The SHAVS committee was created for expand campus educational resources. Please contact the College student support for disclosures to get support now.
If you've experienced or witnessed sexual violence, there are resources on campus and in the community to support you.
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Sheridan Student Union Health and Dental coverage includes Empower Me, which allows students to connect with qualified counsellors, consultants, and life coaches for a variety of issues. As a Sheridan student, you are entitled to sessions delivered in person, by telephone, by video-counselling, or by e-counselling. You can get support for issues of any kind, including relationships, family care, depression, anxiety, addictions, stress, work conflicts, and much more.
Contact Empower Me at their toll free number 1-844-741-6389 or visit the Empower Me Login page for more details. -
The Student Rights and Responsibilities Office (SRRO) responds to reports of misconduct involving students. SRRO assists students in understanding their rights and responsibilities which contributes to a positive student experience while contributing to the maintenance of safe and respectful campus environments.
Connect with the SSRO team through phone or email.
Sexual Violence Response Specialist: svrs@sheridancollege.ca
Call for support at 905-845-9430 ext. 8430 -
Good2Talk provides confidential support for college students. Available 24/7 everyday and features an “escape button” if you’re interrupted.
Call 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868
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KeepMeSafe is available 24/7 to support International/Multilingual students.
Call 1-844-451-9700
Community Resources
DRAW THE LINE
Draw the Line is a resource centre that provides a collection of posters, postcards, videos and even a comic created by Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres, Egale, Mujer, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and White Ribbon to help educate and support those in need.
cANADIAN WOMEN’S FOUNDATION
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is a national leader in the movement for gender equality in Canada. Through funding, research, advocacy, and knowledge sharing, this organization works to achieve systemic change.
Sheridan college sexual violence resources
Don’t Be A Bystander is a Sheridan College resources page to help you know how to file a complaint at Sheridan or support someone who may be need of help.
To learn more about Sheridan College’s zero tolerance policy and access resources, visit Sheridan College’s Sexual Violence Support page. If you've experienced sexual violence and would like to file a formal complaint, there is support available.
It is important to note that you do not need to file a Formal Complaint in order to receive support.