1 in 2 post-secondary students have been subjected to at least one instance of sexual harassment in internships, co-ops, and other experiential learning settings (Courage to Act, 2023).

Sexual harassment should never be the price students pay to be in their industry. The prevalence of sexual harassment faced by post-secondary students, especially women and gender-diverse students in experiential learning settings, creates barriers that prevent them from thriving.

The Courage to Act Foundation is a national non-profit focused on addressing sexual and gender-based violence at Canadian post-secondary institutions. With over 20 years of expertise, we collaborate with survivors, communities, governments, and public and private institutions to co-design systems and strategies for safer, more inclusive campuses.

  • We co-design systems with survivors to prioritize liberation and justice.

  • We co-design systems with communities to build cultures of care and consent. 

  • We co-design systems with post-secondary institutions to foster safer, more inclusive environments.

Our Story

In 2018, Possibility Seeds was commissioned by the federal government to develop a national framework to address and prevent sexual and gender-based violence on Canadian campuses while recognizing provincial and territorial jurisdiction over education. This draft framework, outlined in the Courage to Act report, was released in August 2019. From October 2019 to March 2024, Possibility Seeds worked to implement the report’s recommendations. In collaboration with 4,800 key stakeholders, including survivors, students, faculty, administrators, researchers, unions, community organizations, policymakers and all levels of government, we created 83 evidence-based resources and led 79 learning opportunities. Benefitting over 1.8 million post-secondary students and over 200+ post-secondary institutions across Canada, Courage to Act had a tangible, widespread national and international impact.

The Courage to Act Foundation was established to advance these efforts and drive broader systemic change. As a national non-profit, we cultivate safer, more equitable post-secondary spaces where women and gender-diverse individuals can learn, work and thrive. Our flagship initiative, titled, At the Root: A Systems Change Approach to Addressing Sexual Harassment in STEM-focused Experiential Learning, scales one of our previous national research-to-action projects to address sexual harassment experienced by post-secondary students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) internships, co-ops and other experiential learning environments. Women and gender-diverse learners experience the highest rates of harassment in science, engineering, technology and math-driven professions, and At the Root is committed to removing barriers for more inclusive and safe pathways into rewarding STEM careers.


Over the span of 16 months, with generous funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada, At the Root will make STEM internships, co-ops and other experiential learning environments more inclusive and safe for post-secondary students through resource adaptation, specialized training, and legislative and policy advocacy.

What We Do

We specialize in supporting Canadian post-secondary institutions in addressing sexual and gender-based violence through:

  • Connecting survivors, students, researchers, policymakers, and campus leaders to foster a collaborative network for change.

  • Creating tools, resources, and strategies tailored to post-secondary settings.

  • Delivering education and training programs designed for campus communities.

  • Advancing policy and legislative change to ensure systemic solutions to GBV on Canadian campuses.

Mission

The Courage to Act Foundation is dedicated to addressing sexual and gender-based violence at Canadian post-secondary institutions. We collaborate with survivors, communities, governments, and public and private institutions to co-design innovative, effective and sustainable systems and strategies for safer campuses.

Vision

We envision a future where every campus community member has the opportunity to learn, work, and thrive in environments free from harm.

MEET THE TEAM

  • Anoodth Naushan (she/her), Executive Director

  • Aubrianna Snow (she/her), Project Manager

  • Britney De Costa (she/her), Research & Policy Analyst

  • Joannie Fogue Mgamgne (she/her), Francophone Project Coordinator

  • Jocelyn Courneya (she/her), Communications Strategist

  • Kitty Rodé (they/them), Graphic Designer

  • Kirsty Pazek-Smith (she/her), Stakeholder Relations Strategist

  • Leon (they/them), Web Designer

  • Maya Kotlarenko (she/her), HR, Finance & Operations Specialist

  • Salina Abji (she/her), Evaluator

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Deb Eerkes (she/her)

  • Dr. Jesmen Mendoza (he/him)

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