#IBelieveYou 2017 Wraps Up
We're gathering up the data and analyzing our efforts to put together a final report, but in the meantime we can let you know that #IBelieveYou was a great success in 2017.
The digital mosaic was intended to be a visual representation of support for survivors of sexual violence. It contains 10,086 tiles. And it is FULL! Yes, it contains over 10,000 messages for survivors! We encourage everyone to visit www.ibelieveyou.info and explore the mosaic - just scroll over it and click. It's heartwarming and energizing to read the messages and stories.
One of the most encouraging things we saw during the campaign this year was the response to the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment and assault allegations. Other stories of celebrity sexual violence have surfaced during the campaign in past years, but this is the first time there has been a major shift from doubting and judgement and towards believing in the public's response.
When actress Alyssa Milano suggested women post #MeToo if they have also experienced sexual harassment or assault, we weren't surprised by the number of replies. But we were heartened and thrilled by the huge number of people who responded with a resounding #IBelieveYou.
We’ve never seen so much public support for survivors following a major news story about sexual violence before.
Our campaign logo and website graphic are appearing on blogs and social media profiles of people all over North American. And this shows us that the #IBelieveYou campaign is working.
We want this wave of support to continue to build and the culture of believing to continue to grow and look forward to great things for next year's campaign.
A big thank you to the partners that make #IBelieveYou happen - the Alberta Government, our member agencies, post-secondary institutions across the province, Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, Voices of Albertans with Disabilities, AMI, Inclusion Alberta, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, Bell Media, Corus and Shaw.
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Community Safety Planning, Peavine Metis Community, Stakeholder Meeting
The Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services is a proud partner of Peavine Metis Community’s work around community safety planning. With the support of Public Safety Canada, Peavine Metis Settlement is participating in a Moving Toward a Stronger Future (MTSF) community mobilization process.
Following the formation of the Peavine Community Initiative Society (PCIS) in 2016, the community developed their Community Safety Plan. With a mission to create a community that promotes a violence free society through Metis teachings of respect for culture, diversity, equality and inclusion of all community residents, Peavine Metis Settlement laid out the following strategic objectives:
- Participate in public education and awareness and acquire skills for prevention and intervention of interpersonal violence in the community
- Develop a collaborative network of community based agencies; a network sharing its resources, building on the skills and strengths of its members to deliver programs and services that address community violence
- Create sustainable local resources to design and deliver Metis specific violence prevention training and mentoring to provide community members with skills and knowledge to deliver violence prevention programs
Peavine Community Initiative Society along with Public Safety Canada invited provincial and federal stakeholders to visit Peavine Metis Settlement on October 17-18, 2017; where they shared the plan and together brainstormed implementation ideas and strategies as well as action plans for strategic priorities.
AASAS was honoured to participate, build relationships and spend time in the beautiful community of Peavine Metis Settlement. As a partner, AASAS commits to support the safety plan by resourcing and providing First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training for stakeholders and community members in and around Peavine Metis Settlement.
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Reach Out. Speak Out. – It Takes All Of Us #ABFVPM
Albertans want to live in a province where everyone feels safe. It takes everyone working together to promote healthy relationships and safe communities in the province.
Go Purple in November - Family Violence Prevention Month!
All Albertans - women and men, girls and boys - can show their support by hosting a Go Purple event in their communities, at work or at school during the month of November.
Be creative – think about ways you can Go Purple at the events and activities you are already planning.
Here are a few ideas:
- Host a Go Purple Potluck in your community or at work
- Municipalities can host Go Purple Proclamation events to promote Family Violence Prevention Month
- Sports teams can wear purple ribbons
- Coordinate a Purple Ribbon Day or Wear Purple Day
- Go Purple information booth
- Put up Family Violence Prevention Month posters in your community
- Host a Go Purple Community Walk
- Collect toiletries, toys and books for emergency shelters
- Host a training session on family violence prevention or awareness
- Write a letter or email to the editor of your local newspaper on the importance of promoting healthy relationships
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First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training
What will Participants Learn?
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 training dates:
November 13-14 Lac La Biche
November 15-16 Lac La Biche (closed training for Portage College)
November 16-17 Brooks
November 23-24 Medicine Hat
November 28-29 Lloydminster
November 30-December 1 Grande Prairie
December 2-3 Grande Prairie
December 6-7 Edmonton
December 11-12 University of Alberta
December 14-15 Calgary
Please visit the AASAS website regularly for new training dates.
If you would like to coordinate a First Responder Training in your community, organization, or institution – please contact Katie Roberton.
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Counselling Adult Survivors of Sexual Violence
This course offers an integrative, mindfulness-based approach to ongoing assessment and interventions with adult survivors (all genders) of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse. It draws on the most current theory including feminist, attachment, regulation, and interpersonal neurobiology; and evidence-based practices, including mindfulness, cognitive, emotion-centred, somatic, neurofeedback and other emergent approaches for trauma, addiction and mental health.
Please stay tuned for upcoming training dates.
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Member Agency Events & Updates
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Red Rose Campaign
During the month of November, the Association of Communities Against Abuse distributes roses throughout the Stettler area to raise awareness about the issue of Family Violence. The roses are left to wilt and die throughout the month, while on display in public places, to remind people of the many victims who have suffered or lost lives.
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To take action and build community capacity to address family violence, Lethbridge Family Services Counselling, Outreach and Education (COE) Department is pleased to host the Orange Conference on November 20 -21, 2017 in Lethbridge, AB.This 2-day conference will enhance your knowledge and skill set, and inspire you to excel in your work.
The UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, managed by UN Women, has proclaimed every 25th of the month as “Orange Day” – a day to take action to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls. Orange Day calls upon activists, governments and UN partners to mobilize people and highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending violence against women and girls and the Orange Conference will specifically recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25th.
Reserve your spot and register today.
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