Anti-Violence Project

The Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is UVic’s on-campus sexual assault centre that is part of the UVSS affiliate groups, and is located in the Student Union Building B027 in the Matoolia area. We provide support, education, and action on all interconnected forms of violence and specialize in sexualized and gender-based violence. We support people of all genders, and while we largely serve UVic students, our services extend to the larger community including staff, faculty, and members of the public community.

Our primary goals are support, prevention, and awareness through the various programs we offer, which include workshops, peer support, and events that involve conversations on the roots of violence, consent, and sex positivity. We work from an anti-oppressive and intersectional feminist lens and view sexualized and gender-based violence as interconnected and inseparable from all other forms of violence, such as racism, colonialism, and cissexism.

We work within the framework of restorative justice and support not only those who have experienced violence, but those who have caused harm as well. We strongly believe that anti-violence work involve fostering a culture of care and accountability, which requires us to be responsible to each other. At AVP, we believe this responsibility extend to the lands and include being critical of Canada's ongoing occupation of Indigenous territories and infringement of cultural and bodily boundaries. We strongly believe that conversations on consent cannot be made possible without acknowledging the violations of the lands we stand on here today, and as we work, nourish, and rest on unceded Indigenous territories, engaging in anti-colonial actions are critical to our anti-violence work.

If you are on-campus or out in the community seeking support, you can phone us at 250-721-8080, email us at avppeersupport@uvss.ca, or drop by our space in the SUB B027 in the basement. Support sessions can be made available both in-person and online.