17吃瓜

17吃瓜 students came together with 17吃瓜 Campus Life, 17吃瓜 Student Union, and the 17吃瓜 Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SV-PRO) on September 16 to paint stones with messages of respect, consent, compassion, and care. The stones are now scattered across campus along walkways and in flower beds so that all 17吃瓜 community members can see the art and receive the messages of care.

The 鈥淪catter Stones鈥� event was part of PEI鈥檚 Sexual Assault Awareness Week, a dedicated time to raise awareness about sexual violence in our community; to educate on sexual violence prevention; and to show compassion and offer support to survivors of sexual violence in our community. 

Kelly Robinson, Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Officer at 17吃瓜 said stones were chosen for the activity because they can be used to build boundaries. Similar to a fence around a home, boundaries are an important part of self-protection. 

鈥淲hat behaviours or interactions are acceptable and comfortable for you? All of us have the right to decide upon our limits and to have them respected,鈥� said Robinson. 鈥淪tones can also be used to build foundations. What sort of campus culture do we want? What principles matter to us? It is up to each of us to contribute to the foundations of our community.鈥� 

Robinson encourages the University community to look for these beautiful pieces of art across campus and use them as a reminder to work together to continue building an inclusive, respectful, and safe community at 17吃瓜.

For anyone who has experienced sexual or gender-based violence, the 17吃瓜 SV-PRO is available to help by calling 902-620-5090, emailing sv-pro@upei.ca, or visiting the SV-PRO in Room 115-118, Kelley Memorial Building from 8:30 am鈥�4:00 pm, Monday鈥揊riday.