Alright, Now What?

With Jennifer Delisle.

An online search pulls up several news stories about women and girls who used the Signal for Help in dangerous situations. The Canadian Women’s Foundation launched the Signal in 2020 in the wake of rising abuse such as intimate partner violence and sexual assault as well as the rising use of video calls. The Signal for Help has gone viral more than once since then.

But a signal is only as useful as its response. Can you respond to any sign or signal of abuse? Our research found that people in Canada believe that everyone needs to play a role in ending gender-based violence, but fewer feel confident and competent to respond. Many say ,“intimate partner abuse is none of my business if it doesn’t directly involve me.” 

That’s why we launched the Signal for Help Responder digital learning journey and online mini course. We know people care and believe in ending gendered violence. But it takes a lot to turn care and belief into action that’ll make a difference to survivors. And it takes a lot to change our mainstream culture of stigma and silencing to a culture of survivor support.

What does it take to change individual behaviour? There are many theories, but they’re all clear on one thing: you can’t take a person out of their context. No one changes in a vacuum. Changes come from a mix of internal and external pushes and pulls.

Our guest is Jennifer Delisle, Learning Designer for the LX Labs team at Onlea. She has been a learning designer for over ten years, designing and writing courses for post-secondary education, industry, government, and non-profits. She helped develop the recently launched Signal for Help Responder Mini Course. She has a background in academic instruction and research and a PhD in English. Also a published creative writer, she has a passion for bringing storytelling and clear, engaging language to every learning experience. She is a settler in Edmonton/Amiskwaciwâskahikan in Treaty 6.

Relevant links: Signal for Help Responder digital learning journey, Signal for Help Responder Mini Course

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Episode Transcripts

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