How would you respond to a friend sharing her experience with a physical interaction that went too far?
Before you begin (trigger warning)
While discussing gender-based violence (GBV) can be important for healing and raising awareness, it's also essential to protect yourself and be mindful of personal triggers. Triggers can be experiences that cause a person to recall a traumatic event. For example, graphic images of violence might be triggering for some people. If anything here triggers you, it's okay to step back and focus on your safety and well-being. Seek out resources if needed, or try self-care strategies (PDF) like exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones to feel grounded and in control.
Scenario 2
Read the following scenario and consider whether this would be GBV. Then, respond with what you would do in this situation.
You see your friend flirting with a guy she’s liked for a while at a party.
The next morning, she tells you he walked her home and kissed her that night.
He started touching her, and when she told him to stop, he said, “We’re just having a bit of fun,” and continued.
Scenario 2 complete
Well done! you’ve completed Scenario 2: Post-party pressure. You now have a better understanding of consent and the factors that must present for consent to be valid. You also know how to respond if a friend comes to you with a similar situation.
It’s important to note that acts of GBV like this can be amplified over time, leading to other forms of GBV.
Remember, these three steps are essential in addressing instances of GBV.
