Summary

• Consent Awareness Week is Sept. 21-25, 2026
• Sexual violence is unacceptable and everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in post-secondary campus communities
• The B.C. government and the Ending Violence Association of BC have launched complementary sexual violence prevention and awareness campaigns for the fall semester

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Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, and Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity, have released the following statements in recognition of Consent Awareness Week 2026:

Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, said:

“The week of Sept. 21-25, 2026, is both national and provincial Consent Awareness Week. Everyone has the right to feel safe from sexual violence, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, cultural background or disability. From recognizing the signs and standing up to harmful behaviour, to promoting respect and consent in our own relationships, we can all make a difference. As students, staff and faculty settle into the fall semester, we encourage everyone to take part in conversations and actions that promote consent and support safer campuses for all.

“As part of this work, the Province launched its annual sexual violence awareness campaign on Sept. 7. The campaign focuses on preventing violence before it occurs and encouraging bystanders to safely intervene if they witness unwanted sexual behaviour. The campaign materials direct students to: https://SafeCampusesBC.ca

“There, they can learn more about recognizing sexual violence, understanding consent and where to get help for themselves or others.

“Safe and Supported: B.C.'s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan guides provincial efforts to prevent and address gender-based violence, support survivors and strengthen accountability. As part of this work, the Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA-BC) has developed a campaign called Be More than a Bystander, which encourages people to safely intervene, challenge harmful behaviours and help create safer communities.

“To make this campaign possible, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills is providing federal funding to EVA-BC through a Canada-B.C. bilateral agreement under the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.

“Institutions have been provided with campaign materials, and many will be launching this campaign in October 2026. Returning students may notice EVA-BC’s campaign materials on and off campus. To learn more about how small actions can interrupt sexual violence, they can visit: https://EndingViolence.org/bmtbcampaign

“All public post-secondary institutions are legally required to have sexual violence policies in place and to review them regularly. The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills continues to develop policy to support the implementation of the Sexual Violence Policy Act and to bring it into force, while also working to deliver on the remaining measures in B.C.’s Post-Secondary Sexual Violence Action Plan.

“Government is committed to the ongoing work of creating safe, respectful and inclusive environments at all of B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions. Together, we can help prevent sexual violence.”

Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity, said:

“Consent Awareness Week is an opportunity to learn how to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to sexual violence, and to promote respect, accountability and care in our communities.

“Through Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan, we are working with partners throughout the province to prevent gender-based violence, strengthen supports for survivors and improve access to services and justice. This includes investments in sexual assault services, victim supports, public awareness initiatives, prevention programs and Indigenous-led approaches.

“Campaigns, such as EVA-BC’s Be More Than a Bystander, encourage people to safely intervene, challenge harmful behaviours and help foster cultures of consent. By promoting awareness, prevention and open conversations about consent, we can all play a role in creating safer, more inclusive communities on and off campus.”

Learn More:

• To learn more about how to prevent sexual violence, visit: https://safecampusesbc.ca/
• To learn more about EVA-BC’s More than a Bystander Campaign, visit: https://endingviolence.org/bmtbcampaign/
• To find B.C.’s Post-Secondary Sexual Violence Action Plan, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/post-secondary-education/sexual_violence_prevention_action_plan.pdf
• To learn more about B.C.’s Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan, visit the Ending gender-based violence site: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/gender-equity/ending-gender-based-violence
• To find open-access training resources, visit: 
  https://bccampus.ca/projects/sexualized-violence-resources/