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Human Trafficking Awareness Day

February 22 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. As a community committed to safety and awareness-raising, we encourage everyone to take time to learn more about the signs of trafficking and challenge the myths that allow it to continue and support individuals and communities that are impacted.  

Human trafficking is a complex issue that thrives in silence. By educating ourselves and others, promoting empathy, and recognizing the realities of exploitation, we can all contribute to creating a community where every person is safe, valued, and free from violence. Here at Durham College, it’s important to recognize that human trafficking is not a distant issue, it is happening within our surrounding community. According to The Chronicle, human trafficking remains a growing concern in the Durham Region due to the area’s proximity to Highway 401, which allows traffickers to move victims between cities. 

There is help— Victim Services of Durham Region in collaboration with the Durham Regional Police Service developed the HALT Model, which brings social services and law enforcement together, coordinating support to provide compassionate, survivor‑informed, and survivor‑led responses that prioritize safety, dignity, and long‑term healing. 

On campus, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website is a valuable resource for Human Rights and Sexual Violence supports on campus, as well as broader community resources. Our office offers services to address human rights concerns, access training and educational resources, and receive guidance on policies that protect community members from discrimination, harassment, and violence. We also provide confidential disclosure options and connections to both on‑ and off‑campus support services. 

If you or anyone you know is experiencing trafficking, please call the Durham Regional Police Human Trafficking Hotline at 9055791520 ext. 4888. 

International Women’s Day

On March 8th, 2026, we join the global community in recognition of International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to honouring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls everywhere. This year’s United Nations theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” calls on us to champion equity in every space, confront the systemic barriers that persist, and affirm the rights and dignity of women and girls across all identities. 

The first International Women’s Day was held on March 19, 1911, in Austria and Denmark, marking the beginning of a global movement for women’s rights. In 1975, the United Nations proclaimed International Women’s Year and officially designated March 8th as International Women’s Day, solidifying its place as a global day of recognition, advocacy, and collective action. 

Durham College remains committed to fostering a learning and working environment grounded in respect, inclusion, and equity. To support this commitment, we offer on–campus resources such as the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy  and the Sexual Violence Policy, which outlines your rights and the pathways for reporting concerns. You can also familiarize yourself with women’s community resources on the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion website as well as those from the Ontario Human Rights Commission to further deepen your understanding of all our rights and responsibilities. Join us in reinforcing our shared responsibility to building a campus community free from harassment, discrimination, and hate.  

On March 8 and beyond, we celebrate the achievements, resilience, and leadership of women and girls everywhere. We honour the progress made and the women and girls who continue to drive change. Happy International Women’s Day!

Victoria Day – College closed

Durham College will be closed for Victoria Day.

Action against Islamophobia: A Panel Discussion

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion invites all DC students, staff, and faculty to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia on Thursday, February 5th, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Global Classroom (CFCE 145). Halal refreshments will be served.

This panel discussion is held in collaboration with Durham College’s Muslim Student Alliance. Local advocates and community leaders will come together to remember the Quebec Mosque Attack, and to discuss Islamophobia in Canada and in Durham region specifically. Leaders will also share resources for students and community members affected by Islamophobia. Hunain Sindhu (student leader and advocate as well as former President of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus’ Student Union) will moderate the panel. We will feature panelists who represent the National Council of Canadian Muslims, the Muslim Women of Durham Region, as well as local academics and advocates.

Islamophobia is an ongoing issue that Canadians everywhere face, and one that we must confront ourselves on campus. Join us in remembering the 2017 Quebec Mosque Attack, honouring those who lost their lives or were injured during the attack, and to reflect on how we might take action against Islamophobia within our spheres of influence.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.