Workshop focuses on online harassment

The P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government has announced that registration is open for a one-day workshop – Navigating Online Harassment Workshop – to be held May 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Haviland Club in Charlottetown.

This free workshop will equip women and gender-diverse individuals with an in-depth understanding of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF GBV) and provide them with the tools to defend and protect themselves. Lunch will be provided, and registration is required as spaces are limited.

Registration closes May 3. To register, check out PEI Coalition for Women in Government’s Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/877493134587?aff=oddtdtcreator), Facebook (PEI Coalition for Women in Government) or PEI Coalition Instagram: @peicoalitionwl.

Leading expert Suzie Dunn, associate professor at Dalhousie’s Schulich School of Law, will facilitate the discussion and present her research regarding best practices for responding to TF GBV.

TF GBV is any violent act by one or more individuals whereby technology or digital media is used to carry out abuse on the basis of gender. Its widespread presence affects the rights and freedoms of women, girls and genderdiverse individuals by limiting their freedom of expression through online harassment. TF GBV is often used as a way to silence, intimidate or cause lasting harm.

Sarah Outram, executive director with the P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government, said based on previous projects, there is an alarming increase in online harassment, especially targeting women or gender-diverse leaders.