Arwen Sweet stepped onto campus for the first time in 2021 as the University’s new sexual violence prevention and response manager, joining the Student Affairs team. Arwen’s role involves overseeing programming like Consent at Trent, as well as providing supports such as safety planning, emotional support, advocacy, accommodation support, navigating reporting options, and accessing on and off campus resources. 

“I am able to offer students support around sexual and gender-based violence no matter when and where the violence took place. Students can reach out to me directly for support when things come up for them.” 

Support services are free, confidential, and open to all students of all genders and diverse lived experiences. 

Developing a culture of consent

Working at Trent, Arwen loves the enthusiasm that students bring to conversations about consent. She shares that students have not only participated in training but have been an integral part of the process – helping to shape the education initiatives around consent and sexual violence prevention on campus, including mandatory consent training as a part of Orientation Week at the University since 2019. 

“I love the motto at Trent - challenge the way you think - it reflects an openness to learning and thinking critically,” says Arwen. “I have found students, staff and faculty want to work together to build a culture of consent and a supportive community for one another.” 

“As someone supporting students and looking to have meaningful conversations about how we can address and prevent sexual and gender-based violence, I appreciate getting to do that work in partnership with such a caring and thoughtful community.” 

Students looking to connect with supports surrounding sexual and gender-based violence or consent can find resources online or connect directly with Arwen.