Welcome to SSAIC’s June 2021 Newsletter. Once a month, we bring you news, updates, skills, and opportunities relating to the world of sexualized violence. As subscribers, you won’t miss a beat about what’s happening at SSAIC.

COVID-19 Updates

SSAIC is open! We are currently serving clients of sexualized violence over the telephone only and proving public education virtually. Due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, SSAIC is closed to walk-ins and in-person counselling at this time.

We are taking new clients and would encourage those who need our assistance to call our office during office hours and speak to one of our counsellors. Our 24-hour crisis line (306-244-2224) is fully functional and available to assist anyone who needs our help.

We have expanded our services to include more online resources for survivors. Please check out our Survivors Toolkit for additional resources and videos. 

What’s New at SSAIC

SSAIC’s Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday, June 22nd, and our annual report has now been posted on our website.

From our Board,
“As Co-Chairs of the SSAIC Board of Directors, we are honored to support the work of the SSAIC staff who demonstrate excellence and commitment to serving the needs of survivors of sexual violence in our community. This year, we are especially proud of their superb dedication to providing high-quality, front-line service during the COVID-19 pandemic. We wish to thank the outstanding Executive director, Faye Davis, and each SSAIC staff member for the professional and compassionate service to our community and survivors.”
– Ev Burnett and Elise Matthews

Please find our annual report here, where you can review their full message.

Indigenous History Month

June is Indigenous History Month when we, as a nation, recognize the history, heritage, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada.

Part of reconciliation is acknowledging that the harm is not all in the past; the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island continue to experience racism, erasure, and apathy from every system, all the way from Canada’s colonial government down to the microaggressions Indigenous Peoples experience every day.

The lack of horror, outrage, and mourning of the 215 children found buried at the former Kamloops Residential School site illustrates the value our country places on its Indigenous Peoples. (And, further, the lack of accountability taken by ~anyone~ for this act of violence and hate.)

SSAIC’s staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers acknowledge the past and present genocide and racism being committed against Indigenous Peoples. We are committed to unlearning our racist scripts, introducing partnership at every level of our work, and elevating the stories of Indigenous Peoples.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21st, and our staff will be participating in the (virtual) Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation to commemorate the heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. We encourage you to join, invite, and share! Visit Reconciliation Saskatoon’s Facebook page for details and to learn about other events leading up to National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Learning & Entertainment

Supporting Survivors of Sexualized Violence Training

Supporting Survivors of Sexualized Violence Training (SST) is an interactive training program created by SSAIC designed to train anyone and everyone to receive disclosures and support survivors in a compassionate and trauma-informed way.

Join us for an upcoming session of SST to learn tangible skills for supporting someone who discloses sexualized violence, as well as the impacts of rape culture and our own unconscious biases.

Click on any of the following links to register yourself for SST:

Half Day Training ($60):

October 6th, 2021 (1:00pm – 4:00pm)

Full Day Training ($150):

November 23rd, 2021 (9:00am – 4:00pm)

Online Learning Workshop Series

Our Spring Learning Workshop Series was a huge success – thank-you to everyone who participated in or watched one of our webinars! Created during the early stages of the pandemic, this program has extended our public education reach exponentially and will continue to be a cornerstone of our education programming from here on out. Stay tuned for information on our Fall Learning Workshop Series starting in September 2021.

Impacts of COVID-19 on Survivors (watch now!)

COVID-19 has had unprecedented impacts on the whole world, but how has it impacted survivors of sexualized violence specifically? Co-presenting this webinar is Megan Sawyer, SSAIC’s Client Services Coordinator and counsellor to survivors. Watch the recording of our presentation below. Click here to make a donation.

SSAIC Staff Recommends

Lizzo – Good as Hell (song)
Lizzo is an empowered, outspoken advocate for self-love and acceptance. Her music is uplifting and might inspire you to find a little rhythm in your step today. Check it out, I dare you not to dance! –Stephanie

TED Talks Playlist “Let’s end the silence around abuse”
This is a curated list of TED Talks on ending the silence around abuse. From TED, “In a world where so many are unable to do so, there courageous talks highlight the importance of speaking out against abuse, whether it’s emotional, physical, sexual or online.” –Sarah

We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle (Podcast)

After writing her first book on the redemption of her marriage, Glennon discovered that her husband was cheating on her AND met and fell in love with her future wife while touring. Her life experiences and stories are really incredible, and she shares some of her wisdom with us through her podcast each week with her sister, Amanda. Think topics like boundaries, overwhelm, and having fun. Find “We Can Do Hard Things” wherever you get your podcasts! -Morgan

Sexualized Violence in the News

6 in 10 Indigenous women experience physical or sexual abuse: Statistics Canada, CTV News
New data from Statistics Canada reveals that more than 6 in 10 Indigenous women report having been physically or sexually assaulted at some point during their lifetime, compared to more than 4 in 10 non-Indigenous women. Read more…

Special web tool finds 5.4M child porn images online: report, Global News
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) is calling on the tech industry to do more to stop the spread of child sexual abuse imagery (C3P and SSAIC’s preferred term for “child pornography”) online . In a recent report, C3P said it has detected more than 5.4 million images of child sexual abuse material using a special web tool called Project Arachnid, which “crawls” websites reported to cybertip.ca and automatically notifies Electronic Service Providers to remove the materials. Read more…

Anger spreads over ‘homophobic, aggressive attack’ during Pridewalk crosswalk painting, The Star Phoenix
“As we gear up to celebrate Pride in Saskatoon, this is a reminder of the homophobia and transphobia that many in our community and province face far too often. And it is all the more reason why Pride is so important in bringing us together to work towards a city of equity, empathy and shared purpose,” Clark said. Read more…

Bill Cosby denied parole as board says former actor needs to meet more requirements, CTV News
Cosby, 83 is currently serving a 3-10 year sentence for drugging and sexually assaulting a former Temple University employee at his home in 2004. The board’s decision was rendered on May 11th, stating that Cosby must “participate in and complete additional institutional programs.” Read more…

Ways to Give to SSAIC

Looking for ways to give to SSAIC? Click any of the options below to get started!

• Becoming a recurring donor. This is the most helpful kind of donation we can receive, as it helps us consistently plan for the future with reliable donations monthly or annually. All donations are greatly appreciated.
• Bring your recyclables to SARCAN. By using the code “I believe you” at the Drop-n-Go stations or at the register, you can donate your recycling funds straight to SSAIC and protect the environment all at once!
• Shop our survivor-themed merchandise. Our online store is stocked with survivor phrase t-shirts, sweatshirts, and mugs – order yours straight to your door, or come by our office downtown for contactless pickup.
• Fundraise on our behalf. COVID-19 has impacted us all, and SSAIC is relying on our community supporters now more than ever. If you’re interested in raising money on our behalf, get in contact with our office to discuss opportunities!