Summary Highlights for LOVR 2021
On 28 November 2021, 168 community members ran, walked and/or cycled for Let Our Voice Run. A big heartfelt thanks for the support and contribution to peacefully ending violence in campus communities. Despite only being able to engage in virtual activities, we felt that we were able to learn and have meaningful conversations together during our virtual run and week of activities. Thank you to all community members for joining our circle and being part of the LOVR community!
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A special shout-out to Lauren Bailey and Lindsey Ross, Monica Patel, Professor David Karp, Shannon, Anissa and the Project ReKnew team for supporting and guiding us in our LOVR virtual activities!
Read on to find out what the LOVR team was up to in 2021.
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6 September 2021
Student Learning Circles
On 6 September 2021, a group of SUSS students from Project ReKnew participated in Restorative Practices Framework and Circle Facilitation workshops. They collaborated with LOVR team members and embarked on a learning journey to equip student leaders in facilitating learning circles for an upcoming event in October.
Due to safe distancing measures, 2 virtual learning circles were facilitated by the student leaders on 27 October 2021. However, despite not having the physical circles, it has been observed that the virtual facilitation went well and everyone was engaged in meaningful conversations. The Project ReKnew team reflected that discussion through circles brought about conversations considered taboo in public settings and setting the tone in circles helped ensure an environment of inclusion and safety.
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18 September 2021
LCCS REALink! Episode:
Respectful Relationships - Creating a safe environment in campuses
Two student members participated in a livestream episode of LCCS' REALink! - Respectful relationships: Creating a safe environment in campuses. Shannon is an undergraduate at the National University of Singapore and a member of safeNUS, a student-led organization that seeks to advocate for a safer and more inclusive campus while Anissa is an undergraduate at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and the project leader for Project ReKnew.
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Faced with rising sexual misconduct cases on campuses, institutional shortcomings and worrying societal attitudes, Shannon, Anissa and REALink! host, Augustine Anthuvan discussed how can we create campuses that are free from sexual violence.
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Adopting a more proactive and upstream approach in building relationships among student groups
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Connecting voices through building respectful relationships to safeguard student interests
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Creating a safe space to have conversations relating to our attitudes and perspectives towards gender norms, unhealthy stereotypes, consent, respect, and personal boundaries to break structural inhibitions
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Creating ownership of a healthy and respectful relationship among the campus community and stakeholders
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While it is heartening that campuses are taking steps to addresses these issues, it is equally important for the various campus stakeholders to come together to foster an inclusive, supportive and open environment to discuss these issues. We are hopeful for more restorative initiatives within campuses to promote campus cultures free from sexual violence.
20 November 2021
Dialogue with Professor David Karp
On 20 November 2021, we had a closed-door dialogue with Professor David Karp
from the Center for Restorative Justice at the University of San Diego. He had
received national awards for his work on campus restorative justice. David is the
author of 'The Little Book of Restorative Justice for Colleges and Universities'.
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In a system and society that are drawn into solutioning for quick fixes, let us
takea restorative lens to reflect on what needs to happen to meet the needs of
persons affected by sexual harm in the campus:
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Create conditions for affected parties to have a voice
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Engage to explore and meet needs of affected parties
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Create opportunities for persons to take meaningful responsibility
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Provide time and space for healing
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Provide support to facilitate re-integration
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As aptly expressed by a participant: It is "not just about creating restorative programmes in university, but giving student, staff, faculty the restorative experience." This is certainly the first conversation on promoting restorative initiatives to address sexual harm in campus. We look forward to more conversations as we commit to creating a safe and compassionate campus environment.
27 November 2021
Empowerment Self-Defence Session
Lauren Bailey and Lindsey Ross from Thrive Empowerment Center in the United States facilitated an online Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) session with the LOVR team. Through a mix of activities and discussions, participants learnt knowledge and skills about what to do in common scenarios they may encounter to give them mental, verbal, and physical tools for confidence and protection.
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To learn more about Thrive Empowerment Center, please visit thriveselfdefense.com
28 November 2021
Virtual Run
168 participants all over Singapore engaged in different physical activities to raise awareness about issues of sexual and dating violence. Besides running/walking/cycling, participants also generated insightful chats with their friends and family about themselves, their awareness of the issues, experiences of unhealthy relationships, and the need to set healthier boundaries for self and others.
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Besides challenging themselves, participants found the run to be meaningful as it allowed them to have assuring and deep conversations. As a group of participants reflected "It was a good time of reflection and conversations and it allowed us to raise awareness and have healthy conversations."
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12 February 2022
Mindful Art and Card Workshop
Monica Patel, founder of United World Sanctuary, organized a card making workshop for the LOVR participants. Besides providing the chance for participants to remain connected, it also allowed them time to escape from the hustle and bustle of life through mindfulness and art making. As expressed by one participant, "I tapped on self-reflection, conversations with other participants and allowed my gratitude to flow into the making of the cards."