Draw the Line
Sexual violence is a lot more than rape. Everything from sexist jokes to stalking, harassment, and assault contributes to a culture that condones and supports sexual violence.
Sexual violence is a reality in Ontario. It is present in every city and community across the province and impacts the lives of our friends, family members and colleagues. Sexual violence can and must be eradicated.
Since the early 1970s, community-based, grassroots organizations have been working tirelessly to stamp out sexual violence from our homes and communities. They have been educating Ontarians on the pervasiveness of sexual violence and ways for them to create change.
To end sexual violence in Ontario, we must not simply react to it but prevent it.
With this in mind, Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes (AOcVF) and the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) produced a dynamic sexual violence prevention campaign. In developing the campaign, they consulted extensively with service providers, grassroots organizations, advocates and survivors. The intent was to create a campaign that represents the ethnic, linguistic, cultural, sexual, economic, and geographic diversity of Ontario.
The result? Draw-The-Line.ca
'Draw The Line' is an interactive campaign that aims to engage Ontarians in a dialogue about sexual violence. The campaign challenges common myths about sexual violence and equips bystanders with information on how to intervene safely and effectively.
It is our hope that 'Draw the Line' will educate Ontarians on how to spot sexual violence and empower them to make a difference.
One in three Canadian women will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. It is time for Ontario to draw the line. We must work together to make our communities safer.
White Ribbon
White Ribbon is one of the Draw the Line community partners.
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White Ribbon is the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls and to promote gender equity, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.
Starting in 1991, we asked men to wear white ribbons as a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls. Since then the White Ribbon has spread to over 60 countries around the world.
We work to examine the root causes of gender-based violence and create a cultural shift that helps bring us to a future without violence.
Our vision is for a masculinity that embodies the best qualities of being human. We believe that men are part of the solution and part of a future that is safe and equitable for all people.
Through education, awareness-raising, outreach, technical assistance, capacity building, partnerships and creative campaigns, White Ribbon is helping create tools, strategies and models that challenge negative, outdated concepts of manhood and inspire men to understand and embrace the incredible potential they have to be a part of positive change.