No Means No

About Campaign

The No Means No campaign was created to raise awareness and to reduce the occurrence of rape and sexual assault on and off campuses. The No Means No campaign offers various resources, including but not limited to research on the incidences of sexual violence in Canada, buttons, stickers, posters and postcards.

Through the No Means No campaign, we seek to educate our friends, families, co-workers, and strangers to have a greater understanding of their rights and responsibilities in sexual relationships, and to empower people to take back their bodies and respect others’ choices!

Asking for consent is MANDATORY. Our aim is to reclaim ‘consent’ so as to normalize – and make conversations around consent less intimidating. In a generation where sexual violence and rape culture has a major effect on us but is also a difficult conversation, we believe it is essential to instead change the dialogue into one that speaks to a culture of consent that we can all participate in.

The CSA calls for better policies surrounding sexual and gender based violences on campuses. We advocate for survivor centered care.

→ No Means No is a campaign of the Canadian Federation of Students ( https://www.cfs-fcee.ca/campaigns/sexualized-violence)

#WeBelieveYou Day

During consent action week in September 2024, the CSA collaborated with student wellness, where students took the pledge to believe survivors. Students had a chance to sign a banner, and it was hung in the University Centre for the campus community to see.

16 Days of Activism

In 2024, the CSA stood in solidarity with survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. 16 days of activism begins on November 25, the International Day of Elimination of Violence against women. 16 days of activism concludes on December 10th, Human rights day.

Get Involved

  • Interested in working towards a safer campus through the empowerment of students? Contact your CSA VP External Affairs, at [email protected]

Resources

If you are ever in need of support there are many places on campus where you can go.

What is Consent?

Affirmative, Enthusiastic and Consistent: Communication, that is consistent with your partner(s) before, during and after sexual activity is mandatory in the practice of consent. This is how to ensure that all parties are comfortable and want to continue taking part. Remember, the absence of “no” or a coerced “yes” is not consent. If you are unsure of someone’s answer, then refrain from doing the action.

Free of Pressure or Coercion: Consent occurs free of pressure or coercion. This means you and your sexual partner(s) are deciding to take part in whatever activity you are agreeing to, free of pressure or external influence. Consent is NOT threatening, guilting or manipulative.

No One Owes You Consent: The need for consent does not change when you are in a relationship. Regardless of previous consent/sexual activity, your partner is not obligated to do so again. No one owes you consent; not your partner, or friend of other sexual partners. You do not have the right to a partner’s body and consent is mandatory.

Extends Beyond In-Person Activity: Consent extends beyond in-person sexual activity. Subjecting someone to sexualized language without their consent is sexual harassment. If someone sends you sexually explicit photos or videos, sharing those with others is a form of sexual violence and is illegal.

Be Aware of Intoxication Levels: Consent is still mandatory, especially when alcohol or drug-use occurs. Intoxication alters a person’s ability to give and understand consent. Be aware of the intoxication levels of anyone you may engage in sexual activity with, regardless of your own state of intoxication.

Ways to Promote Consent

Take Back the Night: Take Back the Night is an international event and organization with the mission of ending sexual, relationship and domestic violence. Annually there is an event held in Guelph by several groups including Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis. The event begins at Marianne’s Park (beside the river) and the march typically follows a route through downtown Guelph.

Unsure? Always Ask: The best way to create a consent culture is to practice it! If you are unsure if a person would consent to something; either sexual or not, just ask. For example, you can ask a friend if they want a hug rather than offering your arms. The important thing to keep in mind is that if someone says no that you need to respect that, and that dealing with rejection is part of the process of practicing consent. The aim is to promote a culture of consent in our spaces.

At a CSA Event: When you attend CSA events, you can always contact the CSA executive for support. Whether this event is bus pass distribution, an O-Week event or an event with alcohol, you can ask for assistance in making these spaces safer. As well, we are always looking to make our spaces safer and ways for students to get involved. Also keep especially alert in spaces where alcohol is consumed, lights are dimmed, or there is loud music.

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