The Canadian Federation of Students developed the No Means No campaign more than ten years ago to raise awareness and to reduce the occurrence of date rape and dating violence.
Since its beginnings, No Means No has succeeded in changing the culture surrounding date rape and dating violence. It was not so long ago that the campaign launch was met by a counter protest with men on university and college campuses carrying placards with slogans like 'No means Yes'.
Today, thanks in large part to public education provided through the No Means No campaign, a person would have difficulty claiming not to have understood no. However, date rape and dating violence continues to occur on campuses and in our communities.
Drugs like Rohypnol and GHB are used increasingly in incidences of date rape and are receiving significant media attention.
Though awareness is increasing the battle is not yet over. We are continuing to see sexual assaults occur at an alarming rate on our campuses and students are coming together to fight against these incidents of violence.
Universities and students' unions have recently been setting up help lines to offer support to survivors of violence. If you are interested in getting involved in this campaign please email VP Student Rights, Annie Hyder at the below coordinates.