AASAS Meets Need for Current and Local Research on Prevalence of Sexual Abuse through Alberta Survey
The last comprehensive study on child sexual abuse in Canada was undertaken in 1984 by Robin Badgley. The Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS) is addressing this lack of current data on the prevalence of sexual violence with a research study that began on Wednesday, June 12th.
Modelled on the Badgley study, the AASAS research is completely confidential and will gather information on sexual assault throughout the lifespan – under the age of 18, over the age of 18 and combined data. The study will draw upon the experience of a representative sample of Albertans living in all regions throughout the province and with diverse backgrounds and identities.
The much-needed research will not just gather data on prevalence but also individuals’ attitudes about sexual abuse and assault.
AASAS anticipates releasing the research findings in the fall. The data should increase the awareness and understanding of the scope of the problem and its widespread impacts.
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Therapy Dogs
There is tremendous value in having certified animal therapy or accredited service dogs working at sexual assault centres. A variety of AASAS member agencies (and the AASAS office itself) have amazing canines that work with them - some help clients, others support staff, and some are there for both. Scroll down for their stories and some super cute pictures of course!
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Youth Day Edmonton
AASAS will have a booth at Youth Day Edmonton 2019 at Castle Downs Park on Saturday, August 10, 2019 from 10am until 4pm!
The event is FREE, all-ages, and includes games, bouncy castles, free food, face painting, a live DJ, special guest appearances, lots of big prizes, and MORE!
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Survey
The launch of the province wide survey on the prevalence of sexual violence in Alberta received some media coverage, including 660 News in Calgary.
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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:
Aug 6-7 Edmonton (Session Full)
Aug 28-29 Maskwacis (Private Training)
Oct 10-11 Lethbridge (Registration Open)
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 email AASAS.
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Counselling Adult Survivors of Sexual Violence
The Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS) is thrilled to announce an upcoming Counselling Adult Survivors of Sexual Violence Course, taking place in an online classroom from September 26 – December 12, 2019.
What will Students Learn?
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.
Who Is This Course For?:
This 12 week online integrative course is designed for counselors, therapists, and other mental health practitioners who may wish to work with survivors of sexual violence, or who may be already working with survivors and would like to more deeply inform their counselling practice. Registrants must have, at a minimum, a bachelors level education in a social or health services discipline and/or are registered/licensed with a professional association that maintains a code of ethics and standards of practice that provide parameters for the registrant’s scope of practice. Special considerations may be accommodated on a case by case basis.
Participant Feedback about the Course:
- “I really enjoyed every part of this course… I felt my instructors were very informative and presented the course great”
- “I very much appreciated how comprehensive this course was”
- “I feel I learned things about myself and am aware of it now”
For more information and to register, click on the poster below.
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Archer
Archer was born in Sylmar, California on May 26, 2016 and completed his training through Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society here in Alberta. Archer’s favourite activities include cuddling, running at the off-leash dog park, and of course, long naps. Archer loves his treats, but his favourite is his peanut butter Kong.
Archer joined the team at the Caribou Child and Youth Centre in December 2018 and has since been providing support to children who attend the Centre. Nothing makes Archer happier then supporting a child when they need it most. This includes being a comfort to a child during a forensic interview or accompanying them to court. The Caribou Child and Youth Centre is beyond thrilled to have Archer as part of the team!
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Buddy: His Vibrant Staff "Interview"
What was it about the agency and issue that appealed to you in terms of getting involved with CCASA?
Many moons ago, Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA) had a lovely therapy dog named Luna. Luna mostly worked directly with clients, but had a secondary role supporting staff and making their days that much brighter! Sadly, Luna moved to Banff, so CCASA did not have a therapy dog for a while.
Buddy’s mommy had been on track to learn about animals as therapy, and had been learning all about the ethics of working with animals and having them in the workplace. After doing some research, Buddy’s mommy thought that Buddy would be a great therapy dog, so he took a test and got certified through Dreamcatcher Nature Assisted Therapy. Buddy’s main role at CCASA is brightening staff members’ days, and providing support when staff have had challenging times, tough days or need some puppy cuddles. He also sometimes greets clients and makes them smile too!
Buddy has had a few challenges in becoming a therapy dog. He has always wanted to help other people, but has had a high level of anxiety throughout his adult life. Buddy has been rescued two times – the first when he was 9 months old, and the second time, when he was two years old. Buddy’s past has meant that he’s suffered from anxiety – especially around new people, but he has overcome this anxiety in a lot of ways. Buddy really loves people, and even though he’s a bit anxious, he really wanted to work at CCASA and support them!
It took Buddy a few months to adjust to his new job, but he has really overcome his challenges and has become very comfy with CCASA staff! He has great boundaries, so if he’s ever feeling overwhelmed or anxious, he knows exactly what he needs to do to take care of himself. Buddy really enjoys working at CCASA and all of his new friends here! Buddy is a part of the Staff Support Program at CCASA, and his job title is Therapy Dog and Chief Treat Taker. Buddy is always very happy when new people come to CCASA so that he can say hello and greet them at the door, but Buddy is also always very respectful of client boundaries.
What is it about your experience with CCASA that continues to keep you engaged and committed?
So many things! Butt scratches, treats, friendly and welcoming people, and smiling faces are some of Buddy’s favorite parts of the job. Buddy is really happy that he gets to work at CCASA, and all of the people he meets really keep him engaged and committed.
Tell us some interesting facts about you!
Buddy has a favorite orange and blue ball that he loves to play with! Buddy’s mommy says that there’s actually about 5 blue and orange balls that Buddy gets to play with, but Buddy doesn’t know that. He thinks that it’s just one orange and blue ball. He’s a really great retriever and so he always brings the ball back when somebody throws it.
Buddy has taken a few different odor courses and he’s really good at it! He’s a very smart doggo.
Buddy has a BFF who is a cat named Nahla. Nahla is a very cute cat and they really like to play together. They love to chase each other around. Humans don’t always understand their games, but they have so much fun together and are best friends forever.
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Jake
Jake, our resident pet therapy dog, is an integral and valuable part of our team at The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC). He has been working with those affected by sexual violence at our Centre for over four years. The difference he makes with clients is immediately noticeable.
He is the very first friendly face clients see when they enter the building. Jake can often be found at the top of the stairs, wagging his tail, letting visitors know this is a safe and healing place.
Jake greets all clients and often accompanies them into their sessions. In the sessions, he is a supportive friend, close by for a pet, reassuring and comforting.
Jake is also becoming well-known in the community as he is one of the few certified pet therapy dogs in the Red Deer region.
He is a trusted furry friend, comforting clients when needed and also respecting their space.
Here is a story of Jake in action: “We had one client who came in to our Centre before her appointment in a very agitated state. She was sitting in our waiting room for no longer than a minute when Jake quietly, with his tail wagging, went over to her. She began to pet him, very slowly and spoke very quietly to him. Jake stayed with this client until it was time for her session, and then he followed her inside. When the client had finished her session and emerged from the office, she had a completely different demeanor. She was smiling and talkative.”
We believe that this is the difference pet therapy and a dog like Jake can make on a regular basis.
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Sylvie
Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) has a new furry face greeting clients as they enter the door.
Meet Sylvie. She is just over three months old and is a Bernese Mountain Dog. She joined the CASASC team on May 24 and already is a popular addition to the pet therapy team. Sylvie is in training and is working with her handler Mackenzie on a daily basis to learn all of the ins and outs of supporting clients.
She likes to explore and is very curious of all the new friends that come to the Centre. Each day she is hard at work learning her therapy manners because she gets her favourite treats afterwards.
Each week Sylvie enhances her comfort skills, learning that she can be that cozy, snugly friend for clients to relax with. She can usually be seen galloping around with her abounding energy or spread out on the tiled floor to cool down and relax.
Mackenzie says Sylvie has already made a difference with many clients. Seeing her adorable fluffy face and displaying her calming demeanor is enough to lighten up the mood in the office, for clients and staff alike.
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Louis
As a service dog in training, Louis has been coming to work with his volunteer puppy raiser at the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS) office since he was a bitty puppy.
The ultimate goal when raising a service dog is to prepare them to pass the public access test. There is a lot of training and socializing involved to get the dogs to the point where they are calm, reliable and trustworthy to work in the community. The entire process can take up to three years!
While Louis has been at AASAS he has attended several First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training workshops. Without fail, attendees remark on how calming it is just to have him in the room through the two days as people process the heavy topic. His cuddles with everyone at the end of each day help a lot too!
As a Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS) puppy in training, Louis could one day provide wheel chair, hearing ear, or PTSD assistance, or become an accredited facility dog. As an accredited facility dog, he could potentially work at an organization like a sexual assault support centre. Will that happen? We don't know. The decision won't be made until he's older and PADS looks at his skills and, most importantly, what he likes to do.
In the meantime Louis brightens everyone's day in the AASAS office...and their office building....and the streets downtown....
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