STOP: Students Together Offer Prevention is a unique volunteer experience that aims to unite all university members in the shared responsibility of sexual violence prevention.

The program is designed to extend from the basics of asking for consent and challenge our university community to think about more complex and nuanced components of consent culture and sexual violence prevention at the post-secondary level.

Volunteers will engage students in the prevention of sexual violence and the promotion of consent culture by supporting the Sexual Harassment Office in awareness, education and prevention initiatives across all campuses and institutes of Memorial University. Engagement will be remote or geographic area specific (i.e., St. John’s students will not be required to attend Grenfell campus initiatives).

Program Structure

STOP will commence in September of each year and conclude at the end of April. Volunteers will be involved in campus initiatives throughout the year revolving around Welcome Week activities, residence events, Sexual Violence Awareness Week, Consent Awareness Week, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and some holidays (e.g., Halloween, Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day).

Volunteers will be required to complete in-person and online training sessions on key concepts such as general information on the Sexual Harassment Office, techniques for coping and prioritizing self-care and wellness, trauma-informed approaches, person-centered approaches, harm reduction principles, facilitator training, bystander intervention, consent, respectful relationships and responding to disclosures of sexual violence.

Our Volunteers

We are seeking volunteers who are reliable, representative of Memorial’s diverse community and are eager to both learn and unlearn understandings surrounding consent and sexual violence.

Volunteers must commit to the program for one academic year (September to April). Returning volunteers will be welcomed back. Volunteers must agree to provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service throughout the academic year. Please note, there are no commitment expectations during exam seasons.

Volunteers must complete mandatory training and sign and adhere to a confidentiality agreement. Both the training and signing of a confidentiality agreement are required before being able to participate in volunteer activities.

Volunteers are expected to attend at least one of the scheduled bi-weekly meetings per month, and participate in campus initiatives and events. Volunteers are expected to represent the SHO with professionalism and non-judgement, being respectful to all members of the university community.

How to Apply

Please click here for our STOP Volunteer Information Sheet and STOP Program Application. All applications or questions can be directed to svprevention@mun.ca.