In this issue
- May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month #SAAM
- Sexual Assault Services Participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Month
- PACE Sexual Assault Centre in Grande Prairie – Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
- Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre celebrates 30 years of providing services in central Alberta
- Consent Event – Saffron Walk and Fun Run May 28th
- Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton Volunteer-led zine, Behind Closed Doors
- I MUSTACHE YOU FOR CONSENT – Waypoints Fort McMurray
- Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse – 31 Days of Awareness
- Three new Sexual Assault Response Teams launch in Alberta
- First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training – Upcoming Trainings in May and June 2016
- Other News: I Believe You Campaign selected as a SABR Award Finalist
May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month #SAAM
#OurTimeIsNow to create an Alberta where Survivors feel safe to tell #IBelieveYou and #BreakTheSilence
This is an exciting time for those of us who have been working in the field of sexual violence over the past two to four decades. Never before have we seen so much public discussion on sexual violence.
#BeenRapedNeverReported created a widespread social media response in which millions of survivors accessed the twitter sphere to disclose their experiences of sexual assault which were never reported. Countless media stories about Jian Gomeshi in Canada and Bill Cosby in the United States profiled women who bravely came forward to identify themselves as sexual assault victims after living for years in silence. Survivors began exposing rape chants and sexual assaults on post-secondary campuses across our country. Female RCMP officers and those in the Canadian military disclosed experiences of sexual harassment. Calls continued for a public inquiry into the murders and disappearances of First Nations, Metis and Inuit women.
As our colleague and friend, Tracy Porteous, Executive Director, Ending Violence Association of BC, said in her panel remarks at the Winnipeg Sexual Violence Knowledge Symposium in June 2015 – our time is now! This means the work of AASAS in Alberta is more important now than ever. Service providers, community members and government must continue to work steadfastly together, to increase awareness of sexual violence and to ensure that survivors have access to the services they need to heal and seek justice. #OurTimeIsNow to create an Alberta where Survivors feel safe to tell, where we say #IBelieveYou and #BreakTheSilence around sexual violence.
How you can #BreakTheSilence around sexual assault and sexual abuse:
- Say #IBelieveYou @aasasmembershipibelieveyou.info
- Say #ItsNotYourFault #IBelieveYou @aasasmembership ibelieveyou.info
- Offer your support to Get Help for someone you care about http://aasas.ca/get-help/
- Learn why, when and how to #DrawTheLine w/ @DrawTheLineON
- #BeMoreThanABystander w/ @EndViolenceBC. Learn how http://bit.ly/1SzMmPb
- Tell us why #ItsNeverOkay http://bit.ly/1SzMmPb @OntWomen
- Pledge and spread the word that #ItsOnUs to end sexual violence w/ @ItsOnUs
- Shout loud and clear #NoMore @NOMOREorg
- If you feel safe, tell someone #beenrapedneverreported that help is available http://aasas.ca/get-help/
- #StartByBelieving Survivors @SBB_EVAWintl
- Write a #SurvivorLoveLetter
- Tell @womenshelter how you are #LeadingChange from where you stand to end #VAW
Sexual Assault Services Participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Month (#SAAM)
PACE Sexual Assault Centre in Grande Prairie – Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre celebrates 30 years of providing services in central Alberta
The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) is celebrating 30 years of providing sexual assault and sexual abuse services in the community of Red Deer and surrounding areas for sexual assault awareness month. CASASC will also be launching a ground breaking Sexual Assault Text Line, Webchat Services and celebrating one year of their #IRespect Campaign. Throughout the month of May, local buses, bus-stop shelters and radio stations will feature CASASC and #IRespect banners and messaging.
If you are interested in knowing more about CASASC and how to get involved, join them for their AGM on May 17th at which they will be unveiling a special edition of their Annual Report.
CASASC will wrap up the month of May with two special events. On May 26 CASASC is holding a celebration event with community stakeholders, donors, volunteers and staff (past and present) to celebrate their 30 years of committed service in the community and to launch their Sexual Assault Text Line and Webchat Service. Lastly, on May 28 will be at the local Farmers Market day, to promote the #IRespect and IBelieveYou public awareness campaigns.
The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) is located in Red Deer, Alberta. For more information and to contact them visit www.casasc.ca.
Consent Event – Saffron Walk and Fun Run May 28th
Saffron Centre is hosting their FIRST ANNUAL CONSENT EVENT Walk & Fun Run Fundraising Event which will be held at Broadmoor Lake Park in Sherwood Park on Saturday, May 28th, 2016. We are kindly looking for donations, sponsors and registrants for this exciting event. Saffron hopes to engage the community and raise awareness about consent and what their organization does. For information and to register: http://saffroncentre.com/consent-event-walk-fun-run/
Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton Volunteer-led zine, Behind Closed Doors
Behind Closed Doors is a zine created by volunteers at the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) to break the culture of shame and silence around issues of sexual violence and open the door that these experiences are too often left locked behind. We are looking for submissions of any creative piece on the topic of gender-based violence that can be photocopied and distributed! For example, opinion pieces, art, poetry, prose, comics, etc. Submissions should be sent to SACE (#205 14964 121A Avenue, Edmonton AB, T5V 1A3) or emailed to shannahb@sace.ab.ca. Deadline for submissions is May 31st.
I MUSTACHE YOU FOR CONSENT – Waypoints Fort McMurray
May is Sexual Assault Awareness month. This year, Waypoints is continuing the conversation about the importance of obtaining consent by reminding the community that they “mustache” for consent when engaging in sexual activity. The I Mustache You for Consent campaign hopes to increase awareness about consent and sexual trauma in the community.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation (2015) identified that while almost all Canadians agree sexual activity between partners must be consensual, almost two-thirds do not know what consent means. Waypoints’ second annual I Mustache You for Consent campaign aims to address this issue by engaging the community in a conversation about the importance of obtaining consent and what this entails.
To consent means to agree to sexual activity. Consent is not the absence of a “no,” but the presence of an enthusiastic “yes.” Consent must be positive, clear, enthusiastic and ongoing. There should never be any confusion about whether you have someone’s consent. Consent is an ongoing conversation, so if you are ever unsure about whether you have a partner’s permission, check in with them.
Think of consent like visiting a neighbor’s home. Just because your neighbor invited you over on Tuesday does not mean that you can invite yourself in on Sunday. If you noticed your neighbor stumble home and they leave the door ajar, that does not mean that you are invited in. Even if your neighbor sent you a text inviting you over, you still must knock first and wait for your neighbor’s permission to step inside. When you enter someone’s home without their permission, this is called breaking and entering. When you do not have your partner’s permission during sexual activity, this is called sexual assault.
During the month of May, Waypoints Sexual Assault Program will be bringing the I Mustache You for Consent campaign to a variety of events around Fort McMurray. At each event, you will have an opportunity to participate in the campaign by sporting our t-shirt and mustache or by showing off your pearly whites at our photo booth. We invite you to take a funny picture at our photo booth or with any of our mustache swag and use the #WaypointsYMM to become part of the movement to increase awareness about consent in our community. If you are interested in having the Mustache Team visit your community group, organization or business, please contact us at 780-743-4691 ext. 231.
In addition to community awareness, Waypoints Sexual Assault Program provides individual and group counselling, education for professionals and the community, 24-hour telephone support, and advocacy for survivors of sexual trauma at no cost. For more information, please visit www.waypointswb.ca
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse – 31 Days of Awareness
This May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and in recognizing the importance of this issue and supporting individuals who have been impacted by sexual assault CCASA is going to be raising awareness via social media with 31 days of awareness. Starting on May 1 from our booth at the Calgary Expo to support #ExpoEquality and finishing on May 31 we will be using our Twitter (@calgarycasa) and Facebook (Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse) Pages to let the public know about various programs and services CCASA offers, support resources and campaigns surrounding this issue, informative articles around this issue and other happenings in this field. We are committed at CCASA to supporting individuals impacted by sexual assault and providing education to our communities around the importance of this issue. Please follow along during Sexual Assault Awareness month and engage with CCASA on social media to show your support and let survivors everywhere know they are believed.
Three new Alberta Sexual Assault Response Teams launch in April
Lloydminster launches Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
—Bridging service gaps through strong collaboration—
Lloydminster, Alberta – April 14, 2016 – Survivors of sexual assault can expect to receive a coordinated and collaborative response when they seek support from agencies in Lloydminster. Facilitated by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS), a year long planning and implementation process involving government agencies, hospital, police and community-based services developed a Sexual Assault Response unique to this community. Funded by Status of Women Canada and the Government of Alberta, this team is 1 of 5 new SART’s ((Sexual Assault Response Teams) in the province of Alberta and the first teams established in 10 years.
“Situated on the provincial border poses some unique challenges in providing services, including client eligibility for services, funding for agencies and reporting structures,” says Barbara Hagen, Collaborative Community Response Coordinator at AASAS. “In order to effectively serve victims of sexual assault, key responding agencies in Lloydminster developed their own methods of working together despite the border challenges. The creation of a specialized Sexual Assault Response Team complements existing collaborative approaches that are in place to respond to crises in Lloydminster.”
Hagen added that this initiative did not inject new programs or staff into the community. “AASAS supported the SART development by sharing promising practices, facilitating the process and providing specialized training and sustainability resources,” she says. “Every community determines the scope and direction of their model, their ownership and investment in the creation of their SART increases long term sustainability.”
In addition to the team in Lloydminster, four other communities have developed their own response models. The communities of Fort McMurray, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie and Rocky Mountain House are also participating in this initiative. Just as the existing SART’s in Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary and Lethbridge all operate from different models, each new SART will reflect the unique needs and capabilities within their communities.
The participating agencies in Lloydminster worked with AASAS to develop collaborative working guidelines, provide feedback on the development of resources and attend specialized sexual assault training. Key sexual assault responders from Lloydminster RCMP, the Emergency Department at the Lloydminster Hospital, Midwest Victim Services Unit, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Child and Family Services, Public Health/Sexual Health, and Lloydminster Sexual Assault and Information Centre championed this initiative from start to finish. Moving forward, they will continue to evaluate and refine their responses to survivors of sexual assault and plan to collaborate with other SART’s in Alberta.
For more information, please contact the SART Members:
Insp Suki Manj, Lloydminster RCMP (780) 808-8300
Ken Buchynski, Emergency Department Manager, Lloydminster Hospital (306) 820-2652
Tammy Shopland, Lloydminster Sexual Assault & Information Centre (306) 825-8255
Merle Nightingale, Public Health/Sexual Health (306) 236-1584
Hilda Omella, Mental Health & Addiction Services (306) 820-6250
Mackenzie Brown, AB Child & Family Services (306) 820-4262
Kimberly Masliuk, SK Child & Family Services (306) 820-4250
Jennifer Hauberg, Midwest Victim Services (780) 874-5022
Barbara Hagen, Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (403) 237-6905 x 224
Lloydminster Source
Lloydminster Meridian Booster
Sexual Assault Response Team launched in Grande Prairie
—Agencies channel expertise and compassion into collaborative response—
Grande Prairie, Alberta – April 15, 2016 – Survivors of sexual assault can expect to receive a coordinated and collaborative response when they seek support from agencies in Grande Prairie. Facilitated by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS), a year long planning and implementation process involving government agencies, hospital, police and community-based services developed a Sexual Assault Response Team to address existing community needs. Funded by Status of Women Canada and the Government of Alberta, this team is one of 5 new SART’s (Sexual Assault Response Team) in the province of Alberta as part of a federal-provincial initiative.
“From our first community meeting, servicers providers in Grande Prairie emphasized that when they see a need, they find a way to meet it” says Barbara Hagen, Collaborative Community Response Coordinator at AASAS. “Despite the sizable population, agencies insisted that retaining a rural approach was ultimately more beneficial in delivering services effectively. Diverse expertise among service providers and supportive leadership in key responding agencies provided the opportunity to strengthen the response to sexual assault.”
Hagen added that this initiative did not inject new programs or staff into the community. “AASAS supported the SART development by sharing promising practices, facilitating the process and providing specialized training and sustainability resources,” she says. “Every community determines the scope and direction of their model, their ownership and investment in the creation of their SART increases long term sustainability.”
Within this project, 5 new teams are being supported across the province. In addition to the team in Grande Prairie, four other communities are launching SART’s. Fort McMurray, Medicine Hat and Lloydminster have launched their teams while Rocky Mountain House will launch next week. Just as the existing SART’s in Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary and Lethbridge all operate from different models, each new SART will reflect the unique needs and capabilities within their communities.
The participating agencies in Grande Prairie worked with AASAS to develop collaborative working guidelines, provide input into the development of key resources and attend specialized sexual assault training. Primary sexual assault responders from the Grande Prairie RCMP, the Emergency Department at the QE II Regional Hospital, Grande Prairie Victim Services Unit, Addiction and Mental Health, Child and Family Services, Public Health/Sexual Health, Crown Prosecutor’s office, College and Community Health Clinic, Caribou Child and Youth Centre and PACE championed this initiative from start to finish. Moving forward, they will continue to evaluate and refine their responses to survivors of sexual assault and hope to collaborate with other SART’s in Alberta.
For more information, please contact the SART Members
Cst Michelle Mosher, Grande Prairie RCMP (780) 830-5734
Brenda Scragg, Crown Prosecutor (780) 538-5338
Jacquie Aitken, PACE (780) 539-6692
Lydia MeGraw, Emergency Dept, QE II Regional Hospital (780) 538-7680
Joan Suddaby, Grande Prairie Victim Services Unit (780) 830-5757
Lois Roth, Caribou Child & Youth Centre (780) 814-7223
Helen Cronkhite, Child & Family Services (780) 538-5487
Joanne Stewart, College & Community Clinic (780) 814-5800
Carolyn Hayes, Public Health/Sexual Health (780) 831-3894
Korie-Lyn Northey, Addiction & Mental Health (780) 538-6330
Barbara Hagen, Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (403) 237-6905 x 224
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Sexual Assault Response Team launched in Rocky Mountain House
—Providing community-based solutions within a collaborative crisis response—
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta – April 21, 2016 – Survivors of sexual assault can expect to receive a coordinated and collaborative response when they seek support from agencies in Rocky Mountain House. Facilitated by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS), a year long planning and implementation process involving government agencies, hospital, police and community-based services developed a Sexual Assault Response unique to this community. Funded by Status of Women Canada and the Government of Alberta, this team is 1 of 5 new SART’s ((Sexual Assault Response Teams) in the province of Alberta and the first teams established in 10 years.
“A lack of specialized services and reliance on travel to Red Deer for those services poses challenges for many victims of sexual assault,” says Barbara Hagen, Collaborative Community Response Coordinator at AASAS. “In order to effectively serve victims of sexual assault, key responding agencies in Rocky Mountain House identified a need for specialized sexual assault training to support a way of growing services locally. Minimizing the need to travel into Red Deer, particularly for those victims who have already travelled to get into Rocky Mountain House, has been a focal point in expanding available sexual assault services based in Rocky.”
Hagen added that this initiative did not inject new programs or staff into the community. “AASAS supported the SART development by sharing promising practices, facilitating the process and providing specialized training and sustainability resources,” she says. “Every community determines the scope and direction of their model, their ownership and investment in the creation of their SART increases long term sustainability.”
In addition to the team in Rocky Mountain House, four other communities have developed their own response models. The communities of Fort McMurray, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie and Lloydminster are also participating in this initiative. Just as the existing SART’s in Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary and Lethbridge all operate from different models, each new SART will reflect the unique needs and capabilities within their communities.
The participating agencies in Rocky Mountain House worked with AASAS to develop collaborative working guidelines, provide feedback on the development of resources and attend specialized sexual assault training. Key sexual assault responders from Rocky Mountain House RCMP, the Emergency Department at the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre, Rocky & District Victim Services Unit, Child and Family Services, Nurse Practitioner Services, O’Chiese Health Centre, and the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre championed this initiative from start to finish. Moving forward, they will continue to evaluate and refine their responses to survivors of sexual assault and plan to collaborate with other SART’s in Alberta.
For more information, please contact the SART Members:
Cst Nicole Anctil-Sansome, Rocky Mountain House RCMP (403) 845-2882
Joyce Ritchie, Emergency Department Manager, Rocky Mountain House Health Centre (403) 845-3347
Marsie Tyson, Rocky & District Victim Services (403) 844-4421
Patricia Arango, Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (403) 340-1124
Lisa Beaverbone, O’Chiese Health Centre (403) 989-3900
Cindy Easton, Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter (403) 845-5339
LaRece Streatch, Child & Family Services (403) 845-8290
Barbara Hagen, Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (403) 237-6905 x 224
First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training – Upcoming Trainings in May and June 2016
First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training is a 2 day workshop that will provide participants with education and skill development in the following areas:
- Definitions, myths & laws about the various types of sexual abuse & sexual assault – child sexual abuse, responding to adults who were sexually abused as children, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Training in immediate & long term impacts of sexual abuse & sexual assault
- Teaches skills to respond to disclosures of sexual abuse & sexual assault
This training is intended to build the capacity of professionals, paraprofessionals and community members to assess and respond effectively to disclosures of sexual assault and sexual abuse. Survivors who receive safe and supportive responses to disclosures of sexual violence are more likely to reach out for help from medical and counselling services and/or report to police. First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training is a comprehensive two day training, inclusive of the full continuum of sexual violence and across the lifespan.
Upcoming Trainings
May 12 -13, 2016 - Medicine Hat
June 2 – 3, 2016 – Greenview County
June 6 - 7, 2016 - Edmonton
June 14 - 15, 2016 - Edmonton
June 16 - 17, 2016 - Calgary
For information and register click here.
Other News: I Believe You Campaign selected as a SABR Award Finalist
The #IBelieveYou Campaign has been selected as a #SABREAwards finalist! SABRE Awards North America recognizes Superior Achievement in Branding, Reputation and Engagement. The campaigns were evaluated by a jury of more than 40 industry leaders! Congratulations to all the #IBelieveYou community partners of Alberta including 12 Sexual Assault Centres, 23 of Post Secondary Institutions, 6 government agencies, dozens of community organizations, and 4 national media partners including Bell Media, Shaw Media, NewAd, and SOS Children’s Safety Magazine!
Visit ibelieveyou.info for more information
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