December 6, 2018 by Virginia Dakiniewich

December 2018 Newsletter

Giving Tuesday update: thanks to our generous donors who helped us to raise $2,630 on #GivingTuesday! We are so humbled by your support.

Our annual “I’m the Boss of Me” child sexual abuse prevention program will start it’s 13th season in January! This program is available to Grade Four classrooms in the Saskatoon school district, and is supported by both the Public and Catholic divisions. This gentle puppet show teaches children to understand what sexual abuse is, that it is not their fault if it happens, that it is important that they don’t hide the abuse or keep secrets about abuse, and that they should tell a trusted adult. They will learn that it is hard to talk about, but that they have the courage to find their voice and speak up if it is happening to them or a friend. We can’t wait for another successful season!

We know the holidays can be a difficult time for some who do not celebrate the season in traditional ways. At this time of year it can be especially stressful for those with strained family relations to embrace “the most wonderful time of the year.” Drawing on her own experience, the author of this article provides wonderful inspiration to create your own holiday traditions and to “forge your own circle…” Read more …

Remember your holiday self-care! With all the activity and celebrations, it can be easy to overindulge or become overwhelmed and exhausted. This article provides practical tips to navigate and manage a challenging time of the year for many of us.
Read more …

Each person walks a different path, but it’s our hope that every survivor of sexual violence has access to our support along the way. Thanks to YOUR help, we can make that happen.

Words of wisdom from bestselling author and research professor Dr. Brené Brown:

November 20, 2018 by Virginia Dakiniewich

November 2018 Newsletter

SSAIC Newsletter

Luncheon en Vogue report:

$34,000 raised in support of SSAIC programs and services. Thank you to all of our sponsors, guests, and supporters. Check out highlights from the event on our Facebook page, with photos generously provided by Jen Talloden Photography.

An important message for parents of children of all genders. Consent in this context is so important as a building block for future relationships.

After the #MeToo movement went viral, the number of sexual assaults reported by police increased across Canada. According to Statistics Canada, Saskatchewan had the smallest increase of any province. Unlike other provinces, Saskatchewan, lacks a provincial strategy to address sexual assault … Read more in this CBC article

The Muscowequan Indian Residential School opened in 1889 and ceased operation in 1997. The last standing residential school in Saskatchewan, the structure is a bitter reminder of the legacy of the school system. In this poignant CTV interview, a survivor revisits Saskatchewan’s last standing residential school and shares her memories of the school . Vera Slippery’s experiences affected her very being – who she is and what she does. Some want the school torn down while others want to preserve the building to teach future generations about the legacy of residential schools. An unflinching look at a dark part of our country’s past.

Watch for our #GivingTuesday campaign happening Tuesday, November 27, or get ahead on your holiday giving and donate now!

Help SSAIC win a cash prize! The Better Good Fundraiser
Make a post on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #itsforthebettergood and tell the world why SSAIC is your favourite Saskatchewan non-profit – share what makes us amazing and why SSAIC should win the prize. Your feedback counts! Post now!

Because we could all use a laugh…

October 14, 2018 by Virginia Dakiniewich

October 2018 Newsletter

SSAIC Newsletter

Last chance for LEV tickets – they are 95% sold out! Ticket sales close on Monday, October 15 at noon.

YWCA Saskatoon presents a free community talk with special guest Leah Parsons. SSAIC will participate on the Q & A panel for this important community dialogue.

Leah Parsons delivers a powerful message about sexualized violence and consent and the legacy of her daughter, Rehtaeh.

Sexualized Violence and Consent: A community talk featuring guest speaker Leah Parsons, Presented by YWCA Saskatoon

Tuesday October 23
Sask Polytechnic, Room 104
6:30 Registration
7:00 Guest speaker Leah Parsons
Q & A to follow
8:00 Reception

Everyone is welcome.

“They say, she hears…” The double standard obscures the real issues..

Brett Kavanaugh: a Canadian Perspective

Although the recent U. S. Supreme Court hearings were frequently difficult to watch, they provided a valuable lesson for Canadians. In the United States the confirmation process for the Supreme Court takes place under public scrutiny; there is literally nowhere for the appointee to hide. The hearings revealed unpleasant aspects of Brett Kavanaugh’s character, past transgressions and his fiercely partisan views. Canadians, on the other hand, know virtually nothing about nominees to our Supreme Court. While our system is safe from the partisan politics driving the process south of the border, we need to know more about the beliefs and values of people who will sit on the highest court in the land. This op-ed from the Globe and Mail makes a case for more transparency in our process of nominating justices to the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court to review case of Ontario trucker accused in the death of Cindy Gladue

The justices will determine whether or not Bradley Barton should be retried in the death of Cindy Gladue and, in doing so, they will consider whether or not a sexual partner could be found guilty of sexual assault if both parties agreed to the activity and figured it was harmless. The top court will also consider if there should be different, stricter standards of consent for sex workers. Advocates are pushing for changes to sexual consent and prostitution laws with Gladue in mind. The National Post and CBC have more on this story.

Survivors face a multitude of barriers to reporting sexual assaults.

September 17, 2018 by Virginia Dakiniewich

September 2018 Newsletter

The Saskatchewan Sexual Violence Action Plan is a 3-year project (April 2017 – March 2020) and is funded through Status of Women Canada. This funding is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to advance gender equality across the country. The two main goals are 1) to develop and implement a province-wide sexual violence action plan that is comprehensive and coordinates across all professional sectors and levels of government, and 2) to represent Saskatchewan on a national platform as a champion of sexual violence prevention work.

The Saskatchewan Sexual Violence Research concluded its data collection phase on July 27, 2018.

A total of 1,068 participants contributed to this study from across the province.

SASS had 831 respondents to their online surveys with survivors, secondary survivors and service providers. They also travelled to 21 communities and conducted 37 focus group meetings with 213 formal and informal service providers. Additionally, they met with survivors and their families one-on-one and conducted 24 individual interviews.

SASS and SSAIC would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this study this far.

A final report will be released to the public on November 1, 2018.

“SSAIC was dismayed to see the Ontario Superior Court’s ruling on this matter and hope to see it appealed. It is noted in the research on perpetrators of sexual violence that their actions are premeditated and that they plan *not to* take no for an answer; consent doesn’t factor into their plans for sex, and they don’t care if the encounter is consensual or not. Abusers/perpetrators often use the intoxication of their victims as a weapon that enables them to more easily execute the crime. The perpetrator’s level of intoxication does not excuse or justify sexual violence committed against another person. SSAIC would like to see these sexually violent predators held accountable for their actions.”
Read more ….

July 5, 2018 by Virginia Dakiniewich

July 2018 Newsletter

Checklist: After a Sexual Assault

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