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The campus sexual assault support advocate (CSASA) with Sexual Violence New Brunswick (SVNB) helps anyone who has been affected by sexual violence by providing counselling, system navigation, accommodations and advocacy through complaint processes.

They also organize fun and engaging educational events.

“Orientation week is a critical time to educate students about sexual consent,” said Megen Gaudet, the CSASA for the University of New Brunswick (UNB), St. Thomas University (STU), and the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC).

A question Gaudet and her colleagues ask when planning events is, “How do we educate in a way that draws people in and makes them excited to be here?”

From this, Sex Trivia was born, an event that takes place during orientation week. This year was the third annual Sex Trivia, with events in both Fredericton and Saint John that were a remarkable success.

“What started as a small idea has grown into this huge event,” she said. “It’s very fun and exciting for students. Sex Trivia is an opportunity to give critical information about consent and sexual health to students right off the bat.”

Sex Trivia highlights myths and misconceptions about sex and promotes consent, pleasure and safe sexual practices.

“For many students coming to university, the only formal sex education they have received is abstinence-based. We want to provide opportunity for students to unpack ideas around sex with trivia sections exploring the nuances of consent, what pleasure looks like for all parties, what STIs and STBBIs are and how to access support and treatment on campus, as well as what myths and misconceptions are prevalent in the media,” said Gaudet.

The event was co-facilitated with Ashley Young, Hilary Swan and Courteney DeMerchant of SVNB. The event team also enlisted the help of Stacey Taylor, a nurse practitioner at the Fredericton campus Student Health Centre, and in Saint John, a group of local sexual assault nurse examiners. SVNB also works closely with orientation chairs to put on the event.

“We decided to bring a local drag queen to make the event more fun and more exciting for students,” Gaudet said. “It’s a good opportunity to introduce first-year students to the beautiful local drag communities in Fredericton and Saint John.”

“It’s lively and entertaining and a great way to kick off the academic year,” said Gaudet.

“We have prizes, and we also offer a low sensory space with activities and volunteers. We want to be mindful of what students could find overwhelming or triggering.”

Attendees are introduced to the CSASA and given their contact information should they ever need help.

“It’s important to have conversations around consent and sexual violence and to educate students on safe sexual practices. At Sex Trivia, they can get that critical information, but in an interactive and engaging way,” said Gaudet.

“Our hope is that students will leave feeling more informed, creating a safer campus environment for all.”

Gaudet is a registered social worker who works for SVNB, a Fredericton-based nonprofit with a longstanding partnership with UNB. She has an office on the Fredericton campus and her primary responsibilities include trauma-specific counselling and working directly with survivors of sexual violence, as well as advocacy work in the community.

When asked what advice she would give first-year students, Gaudet highlighted the importance of balancing academics with personal wellness.

“I encourage students to take advantage of the many resources available to them like counselling and the Student Health Centre,” she said.

“I know students get busy and are so focused on their studies, but even if it’s just, you know, learning about accessibility resources and seeing what is available to you. It’s important to take care of yourself and your well-being,” Gaudet said.

"I want students to know that they can access our CSASA services even if they are not entirely sure if what they experienced was sexual violence. If you are affected, I encourage you to reach out and seek support. There are people who want to help.”

SVNB creates campaigns, offers consultation on policy development and leads sexual violence prevention initiatives in the community. They have developed online, self-paced training courses and encourage UNB students, faculty and staff to take part. These courses provide tools and resources on how to receive disclosures of sexual violence and how to become an active bystander.

Students are also encouraged to explore unique volunteer opportunities with SVNB. Volunteering with SVNB is a way to learn new skills, make a difference and connect with like-minded people.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, there are resources available:

SVNB support line: 506-454-0437 open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. Chat services are available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

To book an appointment with the Campus Sexual Assault Support Advocate, reach out to csasa@svnb.ca.

Photo (from left to right): Matt Mills, Grace Doucett, Harsh Chowdhari, Bussy Cat, Ariel Nguyen, Sarah Steen, Lily Keech and Alexandra Michael.