Opening up about serious topics like sexual violence can be challenging, especially among tight-knit groups like sports teams. This year, the University of Calgary's women's hockey team stepped up to the challenge and became the first of Dinos Athletics to participate in a formal training program addressing sexual violence in sport.
Facilitated by Carla Bertsch, the university's sexual violence support advocate, over the course of a month the team completed a comprehensive training program tackling complex issues including sexual violence, gender socialization, consent and hazing.
"Carla gave us a toolkit to have open conversations about difficult topics. The program brought our team closer together and the skills we learned will directly transfer to our on-ice performance," says Paige Michalenko, fifth-year sociology student and captain of the Dinos women's hockey team.
"As an athlete myself, I know sports culture can be problematic at times. Athletes have social capital and are often expected to fulfil leadership roles whether they have proper training and support or not," says Bertsch. "I'm excited to work with the athletics department and support our young leaders they have a lot of potential to be part of the change that will help create a safer and more inclusive campus."
