Since taking on the role of Sexual Violence Prevention Initiatives Student Assistant at MSVU in the fall of 2019, Katie Allen has been spreading awareness of the MSVU Policy Against Sexual Assault, and educating the University community about consent and all other facets of sexual violence prevention. Katie is a third-year student, majoring in Women’s Studies and minoring in Sociology. When she isn’t delivering presentations or training, collaborating with her counterparts at other post-secondary institutions, or attending Sexual Violence Prevention Action Committee meetings, Katie is the creative force behind the @MSVU_SVP Instagram account.
Learn a little bit more about Katie in the below Q&A:
1.What are your pronouns?
She/They
2.Where are you from?
Truro, Nova Scotia
3.What do you think people would be surprised to know about you?
I have a Spotify playlist that has over 4,000 songs! That is around 270 hours worth of music.
4. Why did you decide to study at MSVU?
I knew the minute I walked in for my first campus tour! The energy, culture and small campus of MSVU drew me in instantly.
5. What has been your favourite course to date?
It is so hard to choose one! But I would recommend even taking an Introductory Women’s Studies, Psychology or Sociology course, after that you get access to some really cool courses that get into specifics such as Sex & Sexualities and Psychology of Gender.
6. What drew you to the role?
When I saw the posting for the job, I knew it was for me. I knew that it would give me the space to do work that I was passionate about.
7. What do you enjoy most about your role?
Working with others who also see the importance of actively working for a greater consent culture and continuing to build these connections within, and even outside of, the MSVU community so that we can all work towards this together.
8. Did you have previous experience with sexualized violence prevention?
When I was living in my hometown, I was a part of team of go-to volunteers for the Colchester Sexual Assault Centre! We would help organize Truro’s Sexual Assault Awareness March and help with other various informational work that would take place in Truro during Sexual Assault Awareness Month during April, and other times throughout the year.
9. What do you think is the biggest issue when it comes to sexualized violence prevention?
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS!! So many people out there are still unaware of what genuine consent looks like and are unaware that they still have more to learn! We need to start and always continue to have these conversations. There is always more to learn, and we can never hear this information enough. This is information that positively contributes to the safety of everyone because it contributes to the prevention of sexual violence.
10. What are your future goals?
I would love to continue to work in sex education and healthy relationship awareness. I’m also interested in anti-oppression and community-based work.
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