About
Hi! I’m Vanshika. I’m a Toronto-based freelance writer and designer. I’m not a lawyer (yet!); I’m currently articling at a litigation boutique.
Experience
I hold a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto, a Masters in Professional Communication from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a Bachelor of Medical Sciences from Western University.
I generally write about issues related to sexual and gender-based violence, mental health/wellness, and trauma. Academically, my research has primarily focused on survivor and sexual assault discourses in law and mass media.
I’ve worked in strategic communications in politics and in the non-profit sector. I’ve also worked as graphic designer and still take on select freelance projects.
In my copious free time, I enjoy making art, doing crosswords, keeping up with pop culture, and buying books that I swear I’ll get around to reading eventually. I particularly love horror film, detective fiction, police procedurals, queer literature and musical theatre.
Published work and ephemera.
The Globe and Mail
The legal defence of extreme intoxication is not inherently anti-feminist
The Lawyer’s Daily
Impact of pandemic on law students
THIS Magazine
The right to leave: People experiencing pregnancy loss deserve employee protections
The Varsity (UofT Student Newspaper)
“Op-ed: We need to be careful about how we talk about those with mental health struggles”
CW: Suicide.
“Opinion: Survivors of sexual violence deserve more from U of T”
CANADALAND
“No, Intoxication is Not A Legitimate Defence for Sexual Assault in Canada”
UltraVires (UofT Faculty of Law Student Newspaper)
An Open Letter to the Students Barely Holding it Together
FLARE Magazine
“I Was Out in Real Life, But Not Online”
REWIRE.org
Why I Couldn’t Be My Boyfriend’s Therapist
Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Blog
“Making the Case for Campus Case Managers: Optimizing Student Mental Healthcare Access”
Select Portfolio Works
These are some samples of my work and my full portfolio can be found here.
Send a messenger pigeon.
Hi! You can find me @vdhwn on social media, reach me at dhawanvanshika@gmail.com, or use the contact form below.
Vanshika Dhawan 