Creating a Sexual Violence-Free Environment: Meet CBU Student Sexual Health and Safety Educators Augustina Emefeke-Efetobore and Leena Mascarenhas

Cape Breton University is committed to creating an environment free from sexual violence, abuse, aggression and harassment for our students, employees and visitors. To help raise awareness, educate students, facilitate important discussions and coordinate with other resources on campus, CBU has created a new student role, the Student Sexual Health and Safety Educator. 

Students in this role will be responsible for sexual violence prevention education, campaigns and initiatives while developing and maintaining relationships with student-led groups to create programs and events that recognize the needs of the CBU community. 

The two students who will pilot this role, Augustina Emefeke-Efetobore and Leena Mascarenhas, are thrilled to represent the CBU community and continue helping to implement real change on and off campus alongside their team.

Augustina, a second-year Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management student from Nigeria, has a deep-seated passion for sexual violence prevention which drew her to this role. “My work as a Sexual Health and Safety Educator is driven by a profound commitment to generating awareness, fostering a more informed environment and creating a proactive approach to ending sexual violence in the University community,” says Augustina. “I aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the students by contributing to a healthier, safer and more informed society that values respect and consent.”

Leena, a second-year Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Healthcare Management student from India, is deeply committed to breaking the stigma surrounding sexual violence and promoting a culture of consent. “Advocating for consent is something that is close to my heart, as I strongly believe this issue extends beyond academia, into workplaces and social settings,” says Leena. “To prevent sexual violence, I think the narrative should emphasize empathy and mutual decision-making, in addition to consent. I hope that our campus efforts will be initial steps toward building a community free from sexual violence.”

Throughout the year, training and events related to sexual violence prevention and response will be added to our Events Calendar. For more information, please visit the CBU Sexual Violence Response and Support page. If you’d like to contact the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Advocate (SVPRA), Sonya Spencer, by emailing svreport@cbu.ca.