Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre

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September 2019 Newsletter

SSAIC Newsletter

 


We NEED to keep pushing for judicial education on sexual assault
Bill C-337 would ensure lawyers commit to mandatory sexual assault training before becoming federal judges. The bill did not make it past the Senate before the current  session ended but all parties have committed to including Bill-337 in their 2019 election platforms.
Meanwhile there is another way to push for access to better justice for survivors; bring the legislation home to your province or territory. Urge your representative to adopt mandatory education on sexual assault for lawyers applying to become provincial or territorial judges. Sign this letter for your representative.

Together we can continue to support survivors of sexual violence and build the gender equality movement in Canada. 


Group programming for women starts up again:
Date and Time: September 5, 1:30 – 3:30
You must have completed one intake session with an SSAIC counsellor in order to participate.


September 30 is Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters

SSAIC recognizes the importance of the colonial legacy and the impacts of Residential schools. September 30 was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools.
Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. Get involved – find out more

 

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May 2019 Newsletter

Welcome to this special edition of SSAIC’s Monthly Newsletter!

It’s been an exciting month for us, as we received funding from Justice Canada for a special project launching for Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2019, happening May 27-31.

We’ve recognized at SSAIC that we need to do better in our service provision for LGBTQ2S members in our community — after all, we are here to serve EVERYONE in Saskatoon, and we want to remove as many barriers as possible when it comes to accessing our services.

For many people within the LGBTQ2S community there are unique barriers such as:

  • Binary language (men vs. women) may exclude non-binary people from feeling they can access services
  • A general lack of LGBTQ2-specific supports and resources; limited or non-existent treatment programs
  • Fear of service termination or discrimination around providing their legal name/sex vs. their correct name and gender
  • Anxiety around engaging with a new service provider; fear of discrimination, being misgendered, or being turned away

So, over the next few months, we’ll be revamping our public education materials and website to ensure LGBTQ2S inclusive language is the standard and checking that our internal policies follow best practices for LGBTQ2S inclusive service provision.

Pride Festival in Saskatoon is just around the corner — learning about the particular ways in which sexual violence affects these vulnerable community members has never been more timely, and learning about this topic makes you a stronger, more informed ally.

In the meantime, through our funding from Justice Canada, we’ve partnered with OUTSaskatoon to create two new brochures:

  • The Intersection of Gender Identity & Violence in the LGBTQ2S Community
  • The Intersection of Sexual Orientation & Violence in the LGBTQ2S Community

These will be available for download on a special LGBTQ2S page on our website, as well as our general resources page as of June 5, 2019.

To help other non-profits and service providers improve their LGBTQ2S inclusivity practices, SSAIC will be co-hosting a Lunch and Learn with OUTSaskatoon on Thursday, May 30 in the YWCA Studio. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.  Attendees will learn appropriate terminology, rates of sexual violence throughout the LGBTQ2S community, how to support queer survivors of sexual violence, and best practices in creating programming, outreach, and general services. Attendees will also receive resources from SSAIC and OUTSaskatoon that will aid them in increasing their knowledge and in creating inclusive environments for queer survivors. Visit the event page for more information or to register.

Only a few seats remain. Bring all of the questions you’ve been afraid to ask — this is a safe space!

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April 2019 Newsletter

SSAIC Newsletter

Welcome to the April edition of the SSAIC monthly newsletter. We hope you had a restful holiday weekend.

This month we are happy to share some new blog posts on the topic of consent. Stephanie Locke (MSW/RSW), a member of our counselling team, has written two in-depth posts on the basics of consent and affirmative consent. We get a lot of questions on the topic, and Steph took some time to really break it down. If you’re more of a visual learner, check out this hilarious and informative video that’s been making the rounds for a few years.

SSAIC would also like to welcome Morgan Price, BSW/RSW, to her full-time role as counsellor and program coordinator for our long-running child sexual abuse prevention program, I’m the Boss of Me.

Read on for more program updates and general information— thank you for being a part of our online community!

  • New First Responder to Sexual Assault training course dates for 2019-20 have been scheduled. If you are someone who wants to learn how to better support survivors of sexual violence, this course is for you! Visit our website for more information.
  • SSAIC’s child sexual abuse prevention program, “I’m the Boss of Me”, completed its 13th successful season thanks to the support from our 42 volunteers!

3,368 Grade 4 students from 128 classrooms in the Saskatoon Public and Catholic systems were happy to meet our puppets and learn about their right to say no to unwanted touch, and who to ask for help when someone violates their body autonomy.

Not sure how to have the consent conversation with your children? This short, fun, informative video will get you started!


April 7 – 13 was National Volunteer Week, and SSAIC would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who support the organization: Our Board of Directors, who help to shape the mission and vision with their expertise; our puppeteers, who donate their time to child sexual abuse prevention; and to our graphic design and fund development volunteers who lend us their talents and skills.

SSAIC is a stronger, more effective organization because of your contributions to the work we do!


Stay tuned: Sexual Assault Awareness Week is May 12 – 18 in the province of Saskatchewan. Our provincial body, Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan will be making a big announcement on Monday, May 13.

 

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Never Blame the Victim: Taking a Stand Against Sexual Assault

May 11, 2017
Province of Saskatchewan and City of Saskatoon declare Sexual Assault Awareness Week

 

Saskatoon, Sk—The province of Saskatchewan and City of Saskatoon have declared May 15-18, 2017 Sexual Assault Awareness Week (SAAW) 2017.

The awareness campaign is promoted jointly by partner organizations Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre (SSAIC) and YWCA Saskatoon. At the heart of their message is a powerful reminder to “Never Blame the Victim.”

“Victim blaming, whether it comes from family, friends, or society is a huge barrier to survivors of sexual violence feeling safe to come forward,” says SSAIC Executive Director Faye Davis. “We really want to drive home the point that regardless of the circumstances, the blame lies squarely with the perpetrator. It’s not about what the victim wore or drank or if there was a flirtation. The perpetrator made the choice to rape because they felt entitled to do so. They alone bear the responsibility and should solely bear the blame.”

The “Never Blame the Victim” campaign created by YWCA Canada draws attention to the ways in which survivors of sexual violence are subjected to judgement instead of support. There is still much work to be done to adequately support survivors in healing, and to create an environment where sexual assault is understood as unacceptable in all circumstances.

“Confidentiality and non-judgemental individual support are incredibly important. When women access YWCA Saskatoon services through our crisis shelter, they get a safe place to stay, counselling, support, and access to a network of wrap-around services. We provide shelter on a first, come, first served basis for women and for their children,” explains Shannon Zook, YWCA Saskatoon CEO.

About Sexual Assault Awareness Week:

Our goal for Sexual Assault Awareness Week 2017 is to raise awareness in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan about the unacceptable victim blaming survivors of sexual violence experience, and to highlight the existing programs and services available to individuals who have encountered sexual violence.

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About the Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre:

The Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre exists to contend with sexual violence and its effects on individuals and the community, by providing support, education, and prevention services. SSAIC offers services to survivors of sexual abuse of all genders. For more information visit www.saskatoonsexualassaultcentre.com , follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SSAIC1/

About YWCA Saskatoon:

YWCA Saskatoon works in Saskatoon and area to provide emergent and preventative services for women and their families, including crisis shelter, supportive living, employment services, quality child care, and accessible fitness. YWCA Saskatoon is a member of YWCA Canada, the nation’s largest provider of shelter to women and children fleeing violence, and the oldest and largest multi-service women’s organization. For more information visit www.ywcasaskatoon.com, find us on Twitter at @YWCASaskatoon  or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ywcasaskatoon.

 

For information about the Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre or to schedule an interview, contact:

Megan Evans

Communications Advisor

306-216-5125

communications.ssaic@sasktel.net

 

For information about YWCA Saskatoon or to schedule an interview, contact:

Joy-Ann Allin

Director of Development & Communications

YWCA Saskatoon

306-244-7034 ext 132

jallin@ywcasaskatoon.com

 

SSAIC

Unit 201, 506 25th Street E.
Saskatoon, SK S7K 4A7

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