Anti-Stigma Week - February 7-14th, 2011

On Tuesday, February 8th, from 11:30-12:30pm, in Hickman Building (HHB), Room 110, at the University of Victoria, there will be harm reduction videos, speakers, and dialogue as part of Anti-Stigma Week in Victoria.

For more information about Anti-Stigma Week including other events, visit Harm Reduction Victoria.

What is Harm Reduction?

Here are comments that were posted on the canvas we put up in the SUB from November 15th to December 3rd. We're planning to use the input to organize a speakers forum this semester.

Bike helmet - Bike light - Not getting up for class - Expansion of food donations - Don’t OD - Being safe - Mental health in 1st year - Art - Listening to what’s needed - More needle exchanges - More condoms - Friends don’t let friends have unprotected sex - Being sex-positive - Think ahead and be safe - Absolute allegiance to the land - Hugs - Using filter in joints - Screens in pipes - Planning ahead - Listening to your intuition - Non violence - Satyagraha–truth-force! - Spreading positive thoughts - Having good posture - Education is better - It is about reducing harm. Environmental and social - Uninhibited information and knowledge - Non judgement - Tao - Erasing stigma and oppression - Taking drivers ed - Wearing a rain jacket - Ahimsa–empathy! - Challenging media, stereotypes and social “norms” - Harassment issues - Insight - Education - Hugs - Looking out for your friends - Never wear 2 pairs of socks with a hole in your shoes - Accountability - Self-care - Non-violence and safety - Remove Stephen Harper - Don’t be stupid - Think about the stuff you buy/might buy has/could have caused - Meet people where they are at–what’s your addiction? - Knowledge over ignorance - Ninja’s - Safe needle injection sites - Winter coats - Respect - Not using plastic bottles and bags - Respect and understanding - Promoting equality of all people, places and creatures - …… it’s a good thing? - Treat others as you would want to be treated - Knowing one’s self - Sunscreen

CARBC Study - Media Release

http://communications.uvic.ca/releases/release.php?display=release&id=1188

Student stress reduction article

http://www.latimes.com/health/la-me-exams-20101212,0,3025815.story

Police out of health care!!

What is Harm Reduction?

Got some comments or questions about Harm Reduction?

The Harm Less Club at UVic is looking for your input about Harm Reduction, and is planning to use the input to organize a speakers forum early next semester.

We'll be putting up a canvas in the SUB at various times until December 3rd, so please drop by when you see our canvas and banner. You can record your views or questions on the canvas, or post a comment here.

Participatory harm reduction action!

HRV encourages you to get involved in fighting for social justice for people on the streets of Victoria by participating in 2 actions...

1. Red Tent March
A Red Tent (www.redtents.org) rally and march is being organized for Monday, Nov 1 at noon starting on Pandora Green to draw attention to the grave need for housing. Food-Not-Bombs will provide food and everyone is asked to wear red. Organizers are still looking for sticks for picket signs and volunteers to leaflet and make signs. Please contact Kevin if you can help out, and please send this far and wide!! Kevin- yahlkevin@yahoo.ca



2. Letters to City Hall

Last Wednesday, a man sleeping in a Victoria park was brutalized by 2 City of Victoria bylaw officers (see article below). Apparently this man was beaten very badly and suffered injuries to his head and neck. People living on the streets of Victoria suffer from stigma and discrimination as a result of their experiences of homelessness, poverty, impacts of trauma, mental illness and drug use. This stigma and discrimination is a form of violence and this violence continues to be systematically built in to our City bylaws, such as the recent amendment to the Streets and Traffic bylaw prohibiting 'camping' on medians and boulevards. Now, 2 bylaw officers have been caught for their physically violent attack on someone sleeping in a City park. HRV will be sending a letter to City Hall to demand justice and a full inquiry into this horrendous violence perpetrated by City employees. We encourage you to do the same, and send this message far and wide. Letters may be sent to Councillor Philippe Lucas, who has also expressed his outrage about this situation. Please send letters to plucas@victoria.ca