About Ask First

Ask First is an ongoing consent awareness project at the University of Calgary, launched in Fall 2015 by the Women’s Resource Centre in collaboration with the Consent Awareness and Sexual Education club.

Ask First aims to:

• Create a campus culture where victim-blaming is not tolerated, and the concept of consent is understood and practiced in the community to ensure students feel safe and respected.
• Empower students to create change in their own communities by starting conversations challenging negative stereotypes and myths about sexual assault.
• Facilitate collaboration among campus groups to ensure there are no gaps in sexual assault prevention and support services.

Background:

Ask First – originally Ask First: Creating a Culture of Consent – was created in a unique partnership between UCalgary’s Women’s Resource Centre and the Consent Awareness and Sexual Education (CASE) club in 2013. Together, they paved the way for sexual violence prevention at the University of Calgary by combatting victim-blaming, normalizing consent and building resiliency among students.

Now, Ask First is in its second phase: Challenging Attitudes and Beliefs. Research shows gender violence stems from, and contributes to, a wide range of social issues. While many groups answered the call to action on gender violence – we noticed a gap in the programming, information, and insight into the role and responsibility of each of us. In response, we want to instil a sense of self-awareness, shared responsibility and understanding of how toxic misconceptions blur boundaries in our community.

On Campus

Campus Security
403-220-5333

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Office
403-220-2208

Student Wellness Services 
403-210-9355

Off Campus

9-1-1

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse
403-237-5888 (24 hours)