News
Resources and Calls to Action Against Anti-Asian Racism
In the wake of the murders of 6 Asian women in Atlanta, Georgia, and in the context of a pandemic that has seen anti-Asian hate crimes spike , members of our community may be struggling with grief and pain, and many others may be wondering how to help.
It is important to note specifically that the recent violence in Georgia is impossible to separate from not only anti-Asian racism, but also violence against women, against immigrants and against racialized sex workers; important to note that standing in solidarity with Asian communities also means standing in solidarity with those fighting white supremacy and other forms of oppression.
This list of actions and resources was compiled from suggestions by members of the EDI Advisory Council. Thanks to these members for their input and insight. If you would like to suggest additions to this list, please send your suggestions to edi@sfu.ca.
Supports and mental health resources
Hearing news about anti-Asian racism and violence is upsetting and may affect members of the Asian community more acutely. If you are in need of support, please reach out.
- My SSP: 丁香园AV students can access free 24/7 mental health support through the My SSP app. Culturally relevant support options are available; you can request to speak to a counsellor who shares your language and/or racial identity.
- See a Counsellor: free, confidential, time-limited supports are available to all registered 丁香园AV students
- Tending to Anti-Asian racism: 丁香园AV Health & Counselling has created this facilitated group to be a safe and confidential space to support students from the Asian community who feel alienated and/or targeted by anti-Asian racism.
- : the 丁香园AV Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provides confidential, professional assistance to help 丁香园AV employees and their family members resolve problems that affect your personal and work lives
- Sexual Violence Support and Prevention Office: A diverse range of supports are available for campus community members including students, staff and faculty who are impacted by sexual violence
- Critical Incident Support: A Critical Incident (or Significant Event) is normally a traumatic event that creates a strong emotional reaction. This reaction may interfere with an individual鈥檚 ability to manage normal day-to-day activities or have a large negative impact on the people involved or community members that have in some way been involved. Learn about the supports available.
Every member of our university community has the right to be treated with respect and dignity and to be welcomed and supported on our campus. No person should be targeted in any way or subjected to discrimination resulting from a misplaced perception that they may be a carrier of a communicable disease based on their perceived disability, race, ancestry, place of origin or otherwise. This kind of targeting is discriminatory and a breach of university policy (GP18).
If you feel you have been targeted based on any of the above factors, you should discuss the matter with the Human Rights office by emailing hroadmin@sfu.ca or calling 778-782-4446. This office will invite you in for a confidential conversation about the policies and response options available. If you are on campus and would like to request a Safe Walk escort, you can call the Campus Security non-emergency line at 778-782-7991.
If you are the target or a witness of a racist incident against members of the Asian diaspora in Canada, you can also . Data collected through this initiative will be used to develop strategies, design interventions, raise awareness, advocate for policies and improve outcomes for Asian communities.
Historical context and information to help guide conversations
Historical context in Canada
Information specific to events in Georgia
- Note: while these guidelines were created for the purpose of guiding newsrooms in their reporting, this information also covers some of the history and many complexities related to this case and can be useful for guiding conversations
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta: Statement 鈥� 鈥溾��&苍产蝉辫;
- Stopping AAPI Hate - - for context around Asian hate crimes in America
- The is sharing regular updates on Twitter
Organizations to support
- The is one the few safe spaces within the Downtown East Side exclusively for self-identified women and their children. The centre provides practical support to over 500 women, children and seniors, including (but not limited to) their Chinese Seniors Outreach Program
- provides culturally-specialised supports and advocacy to im/migrant women engaged in indoor sex work
- The supports youth and low-income immigrant seniors in Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside through intergenerational relationship buildling and by helping seniors overcome language and cultural barriers to services that meet their basic needs
- The provides support services to survivors of sexualized violence who have shared experiences of gender marginalization: cis and trans women, Two-Spirit, trans and/or non-binary people
- is the only grassroots Chinese massage parlor worker coalition in the U.S. who also organize transnationally with Asian sex workers across the diaspora in Toronto, Paris, and Hong Kong
Additional tools and resources
- The has compiled a list of support and awareness resources on anti-Asian racism, including culturally appropriate mental health supports and organizations that are spreading awareness about anti-Asian racism in Canada
- The has compiled a website with anti-Asian racism resources, including further information on the history of anti-Asian racism in Canada, reporting lines and organizations to support.