CBSWC Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Project

09/22/2026

Thank you to everyone who braved the weather last night and joined us for our Take Back the Night rally and march. Together, we can create communities where survivors are believed, supported and empowered.

09/22/2026

Help spread awareness for Consent Awareness Week!

Consent is a clear, voluntary and ongoing agreement between all parties who are engaged in an activity and can be withdrawn anytime.

Ways you can obtain consent:
✔Ask directly: State your intent clearly before acting.
✔Wait for a clear "yes": Silence, hesitation, or a "maybe" means no.
✔Check body language: Look for signs of discomfort, pulling away, or freezing.
✔Check in continuously: Ensure the agreement is ongoing as the activity changes.
✔Respect the answer: Stop immediately if they change their mind or seem unsure.

09/22/2026

Dear Attendees,

Please be advised that the upcoming Movie Night and panel discussion has been cancelled and will be postponed to a later date.

We sincerely apologize for this unexpected change and any inconvenience it causes.

We are actively working on a rescheduled date and will share updates (TBD) as soon as they are finalized.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

09/21/2026

It's Consent Awareness Week, so let's talk about Digital Consent! A bit different from in-person consent which often discusses bodily autonomy and physical boundaries (e.g., sexual activity, hugging, borrowing an item), digital consent is "the practice of giving and receiving permission to share content or information about someone else in online spaces, where personal boundaries and privacy guidelines are less visible."

Whether you're texting, scrolling, or gaming, we need to consider how we're using or including other people's information or content. Practice recognizing how your actions impact your online presence and digital footprint.

Everyone deserves respect, like choosing if a photo of them gets taken and posted: this goes for children, teens, adults, parents, and senior

Read more about digital consent: https://raisingdigitalcitizens.com/blogs/articles/complete-parent-guide-digital-consent-online-privacy

09/14/2026

This Sexual Violence Awareness Week, we want to talk about technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV). This includes non-consensual distribution of intimate images (NCDII), voyeurism, sextortion, deepfakes and other image-based abuse, online sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and online luring.

Our research found that NL residents are experiencing TFSV. Focus groups reflected the consequences of TFSV: hypervigilance, self-censorship, and poor mental health.

Online harms have offline consequences! TFSV is just as damaging as in-person sexual violence. If you want to learn more or need support, check out our digital resource library (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LcB5woXij69M84TAxtTCjJO3M8bGMQ9NlqotvOlzKJM/edit?usp=sharing), Tech Safety Canada, or The Digital Sexual Violence Support Centre.

08/28/2026

TFGBV, or technology-facilitated gender-based violence, is a form of violence that takes place online or through digital tools (e.g., devices, Alexa, social media, forums, etc.).

Our survey asked NL residents how often they experienced TFGBV: over 60% said they had experienced it before. Over 80% reported witnessing TFGBV before.

Our focus groups with survivors also found that TFGBV is a problem in NL. Cyberbullying, hacking/scams, harassment, misinformation, and image-based abuse are ongoing issues.

Check out the report here:https://www.cornerbrookswc.com/_files/ugd/7df0a9_511bd3634f6d4616bb8a9fd6039f42f4.pdf

08/27/2026

Sharing someone's personal information online, also called doxxing/doxing, is extremely harmful. It violates their privacy, causes poor mental health, and even encourages physical or sexual harm. If you experience doxxing, there are options. Swipe through to see what you can do.

Contact your local law enforcement (RCMP or RNC) if you believe you are in danger.

08/26/2026

Good news! 🎉

As of June 18, 2026, the non-consensual distribution of deepfakes is illegal under the Criminal Code. Deepfakes are intimate images (n**e, nearly n**e, or sexually explicit photos, audio recordings, or videos) of someone created using artificial intelligence (AI).

However... this change is overdue, and Canadian law is still not protecting survivors: 1) the creation of deepfakes is not illegal, and 2) many provincial Acts (including Newfoundland and Labrador) haven't updated their definition to include AI, which means justice in civil cases isn't guaranteed.

NL needs to update it's Intimate Images Protection Act (2018) to include AI. This is a necessary change as technology develops.

08/26/2026

We are incredibly disappointed to see another Pride crosswalk vandalized in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Pride walkway outside French Shore Academy in Port Saunders was reportedly painted with anti-2SLGBTQIA+ messages sometime between August 20 and 21. RCMP are now investigating.

These crosswalks are more than paint on pavement. For 2SLGBTQIA+ students, especially young people who may already feel isolated or unsafe being themselves, they are a visible reminder that there is a place for them in their school and their community.

When someone deliberately targets that symbol with hateful messages, the people those colours represent see that too.

To the students, staff, families and 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Port Saunders, Pride Grand Falls-Windsor stands with you.

And to the young people who may have walked into school and seen those messages: there are far more people across this province who want you here, who will stand beside you, and who will continue making space for you.

Anyone with information about what happened is asked to contact Port Saunders RCMP at (709) 861-3555.

08/26/2026