Rape is fun.

"Rape is really fun. It's all your fault, bitch. You asked for it."

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My name is Paul Sutton, and I am the Safety Coordinator for the AMS (UBC Student's Union). I was also the Safety Coordinator for Arts County Fair, and am trying to collect information from/refer to services people who were victims of violence (especially sexualized violence) at Friday's Arts County Fair event.

Arts County was staffed by four volunteer roving Safety Squads, 147 private-security officers, upward of 50 RCMP officers, and 4 roving medical teams. And yet, by 5pm, it was impossible to patrol this event. At the Safety Tent, a safe space for overintoxicated/patrons victimized by violence, we dealt with too many to count overserved patrons, three cases of sexual assault, and one arrest of a patron spiking drinks.

I am writing to reach out to people who were victimized by violence at Arts County Fair or afterward. I am attempting to collate testimony that will be presented in my transition report to the Arts Undergraduate Society, Campus Security, the RCMP, the Vice-President Students' Office, and possibly the mainstream press. I am committed to maintaining your anonymity, if you so choose.

Also, if you are a survivor of violence (especially sexualized violence) suffered at Arts County Fair or afterward, I am the point person for referral to counselling/other victim services. Please feel free to email me any time at safetypaul@ams.ubc.ca.

Remember: violence is never a survivor's fault. There are plenty of services available to you, and you are not alone.

Best regards,
Paul Sutton
AMS Safety Coordinator