Campus rally supports sexual assault survivors

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For organizers at UNBC, the rally was never solely about one case.

Campus Rally

Campus rally supports sexual assault survivors

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Event organizer Tanvi Guhagarkar said the demonstration was intended to show solidarity with survivors everywhere and create a space where people feel supported.

“We wanted to bring survivors and allies together, show solidarity with victims of violence around the world, and create a supportive space where people know they are not alone.“

Guhagarkar said the conversations generated by the Cornell case highlight broader concerns about how survivors are treated when they come forward.

“Jane Doe is lying and all the victim blaming that is coming out of it. This is impacting survivors all across the globe.”

She added that survivors often hesitate to report sexual violence because of stigma and fear of how they will be perceived.

The Northern Women’s Centre invited all self-identifying women to participate in the rally, while allies were encouraged to observe the event from the sidelines. Organizers described the demonstration as a solidarity march for every “Jane Doe” around the world, built around the message: “We hear you, we believe you and we are with you.”

For fellow organizer Krystal Gallant, the issue is also deeply personal.

“I am a survivor myself, and I’m also the mother of two daughters who have to navigate this world every single day, not knowing what to expect and not knowing who’s safe. I have also felt those fears and so for me, this is not just solidarity. This is personal. This is for me and my daughters and every other woman as well.”

Gallant believes the public scrutiny surrounding high-profile sexual assault cases can discourage survivors from speaking out.

“The prejudice that a lot of the community is holding towards her, for coming forward, for not wanting to reveal her name. I think it can all be very scary for a woman who has been through something very traumatizing.”

As participants completed the march across campus, organizers said the objective was not only to raise awareness but also to remind survivors that support exists within their community.

For those who gathered at UNBC, the message was clear: survivors deserve to be heard, believed and treated with dignity.