Jenna Lubsen
Trigger Warning: This piece includes content about sexual assault, sexual harassment, drugs and alcohol that may be difficult for some readers.
Since winter break is coming on fast and we leave Christmas, New Years and family time in the dust, this is everyone's gentle reminder of how to conduct ourselves like the safe, respectful adults we all pretend we are. Even though frost week has already come and gone we still have the rest of the semester to hit the clubs and participate in the famous party life that Queen’s University have the offer, #queenspartylife. I can say with certainty that we all have plenty of stories about nights that got a little out of control, they can sometimes age to be some of our favourite stories but can also easily go the other direction. Keeping this in mind, here are a few situations you're going to want to avoid and be mindful about to keep the party scene easy, breezy, and beautiful for everyone.
We can all get a little too excited from time to time and when mixed with drugs, alcohol and our raging, young adult hormones things can get awkward to say the absolute least. If you’re out on the dance floor hitting it off with someone you’re liking, stay calm and pay attention to body language and tone. Body language and tone are going to be your best friend when it comes to situations like these, it is overwhelmingly clear when someone is not interested and when someone is, let's not play dumb here. Do not try to force a moment or a kiss, because I guarantee that you’re not a good enough kisser to be pulling that sh*t. If you’re one of those people that say “I can just never tell if they’re into me”, speaking from personal experience, you can ask questions to perhaps get to know the person a little bit or just be direct and ask them out! Do not, under any circumstances, think that planting a non consensual kiss or ass grab on them. That is how you get yourself slapped by an arts student full of tequila (I have also played this role quite well). At Queen’s it’s not a secret that we love a good time and letting loose after a long week slipping on the unsalted Queen’s campus sidewalks, but that doesn’t mean that we get to treat people any way we please. Respect and courtesy to keep our hands to ourselves until asked, don’t jump your curtain call and ruin your big entrance. Because that would be truly embarrassing.
Much like the rest of the country, Queen’s has been forced to face some of its more troubling points in history. Queen’s culture and traditions are painted with themes of sexual assault and sexual harassment, from bed sheets to orientation traditions. I think we should all be able to say that we are proud of the school we dedicate so much time and money towards. A big part of this is contributing to a future that we can also be proud of, proud of how students treat one another in all settings, classroom or elsewhere. Now that we’ve had some fun here and playfully discussed one of the biggest issues plaguing our community, we can all work together to learn a little and have a ton of fun (and tequila).
If you or someone you know has or is currently experiencing any form of sexual violence, provided below are some resources that may be found helpful.
SAC Kingston (Sexual Assault Centre)
Phone: 1-877-544-6424. Available 24 hours Crisis Support.
Email: sack@sackingston.com
Located at 400 Elliott Avenue, Unit 1 (Rockcliffe Plaza) Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Queen's University Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator, Barb Lotan.
Barb Lotan can aid in the healing process and assess potential next steps.
Email: bjl7@queensu.ca
Office Located at B502 Mackintosh-Corry Hall, Human Rights & Equity hallway.
Kingston Police (Non-Emergency Line)
Phone: (613) 549-4660
**In the event of an emergency always call 911 immediately or if on campus locate an emergency blue light.
Comentarios