From the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women

(Ottawa, September 25, 2013)—Students returning to classes on campuses across Ottawa this month now have
access to a mobile application designed to help them recognize and respond to incidents of gender-based
violence. The Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW), working in conjunction with the
Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, is visiting Algonquin College, Carleton University, La Cité collégiale, and the
University of Ottawa to launch the app during the busy back to school period.

Named R.I.S.E., the app teaches students to React, Intervene, Support and Educate. It features scenarios that
students might face on campus or in their community, and gives them advice on how to respond.

“The start of the school year sees the highest incidents of sexual violence on college and university campuses,”
says Erin Leigh, OCTEVAW’s Executive Director. “The R.I.S.E. app empowers young people with the knowledge
they need to identify it and address it.”

The app applies the promising new technique of bystander intervention to address violence against women by
giving witnesses information that will help them recognize incidents that lead to sexual assault—and advice on
how to intervene safely. It also shifts responsibility to everyone to step in and support their peers, creating a
culture of responsibility and helping to prevent violence.

“We spent a year collecting ideas and hearing from young people to develop an app that reflects their
experiences and concerns about sexual violence,” explains Dillon Black, Project Manager. “We’ve worked with
student groups and community-led steering committees. We’ve had tremendous support from all four
campuses.”

R.I.S.E. is part of the Preventing Violence Against Women on Campuses Project, funded by Status of Women
Canada. The project involves building partnerships and collaboration on campuses to respond to young
women’s needs, expand their understanding of these issues, and carry out strategies to prevent, reduce and
raise awareness of gender-based violence issues. It also includes gender-based analysis that identifies and
responds to issues of violence affecting women on campuses in Ottawa.

“At La Cité collégiale, we strive to ensure that our campus is as safe as possible and this new mobile app is an
excellent tool to engage everyone, including the student population, to become more vigilant in assuring the
safety of others against sexual assault,” says Mona Chevalier, Personal and Professional Development
Counsellor and a member of the Women’s Health and Safety Committee.

“Carleton University would like to thank Status of Women Canada for funding this project,” says Linda
Capperauld, Director, Department of Equity Services. “Carleton is dedicated to creating a safe and secure
environment for its women students and this project will greatly aid these efforts.”

The R.I.S.E. app is available on iTunes and Google Play free of charge for iOS and Android phones. It is available
in English and French. Special thanks to the app developer, Purple Forge, and Cinnamon Toast New Media.

Download the R.I.S.E. app:
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/app/r.i.s.e./id699769050?ls=1&mt=8
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.purpleforge.octevaw
Mobile Optimized Website: http://datacloud.me/Rise/