Past Projects
Over the years, VSAC has led a range of community-driven projects through its youth-led initiative, Project Respect. These projects were sparked by the voices and experiences of local youth and community members who identified the need for deeper conversations around gender, power, respect, and healing. Rooted in collaboration, each project emerged through partnerships with schools, service providers, and community organizations, and was made possible thanks to generous support from public funders and private donors. From art-based campaigns to multi-year youth-led action groups, these projects reflect VSAC’s ongoing commitment to preventing sexualized violence and building inclusive, consent-based communities. This page highlights some of the powerful work we’ve done together.
Black Youth Empowerment - April 2021 to March 2024
The Black Youth Empowerment (BYE) group brought together black youth to actively take part in conversations and actions around anti-violence, anti-racism and consent work, while sharing their experiences of racialized violence. BYE was youth led, and supported by One Love Consulting and Girls & Femmes with Afro-textured Hair. BYE projects included developing curricula, hosting table talks, organizing a conference with adults and educators, and facilitating Bystander Intervention and Safer, Braver Spaces workshops. In 2024, members of BYE joined VSAC’s new youth initiative, Black and Indigenous Empowerment (BIE), which can be found here.
Bystander Intervention Workshop - April 2021 to March 2024
One of two workshops facilitated by Black Youth Empowerment, it engaged Black youth to define the role of a bystander in situations involving discrimination and bullying and explore ways to respond that are supportive to those impacted, and was grounded in stepping into one’s power. The Bystander Intervention workshop was delivered several times to participants in various partner schools.
Safer-Braver Spaces Workshop - April 2021 to March 2024
Adapted from the VSAC Prevention department’s Safer Spaces workshop for adults who work with youth, and developed and facilitated by the members of Black Youth Empowerment, Safer, Braver Spaces was culturally relevant training for adults who wanted to learn how to support youth who are impacted by racism and gender-based violence, and to gain tools to promote a culture of consent in their work environment through practice of intervention and desire to shift practices and policies. BYE hosted two Saver, Braver Spaces workshops annually.
Youth Council - April 2019 to September 2023
Assembled in 2019, the purpose of the Youth Council was to empower youth by supporting their personal and collective visions for a future without sexualized violence. Past youth councils have collaborated with VSAC’s prevention team to contribute a youth-led focus to prevention education workshops, developed Project Respect’s new logo, created social media content about consent, and helped plan an annual Youth Social Action Camp.
