Published in the Toronto Star: Link to Article
May is Sexual Assualt Awareness Month, a time for creating awareness, enhancing public education and working toward prevention.
The Halton Violence Prevention Council (HVPC) focuses on strengthening and improving services, identifying gaps in services and increasing safety for women experiencing violence. Through its sexual assault advisory committee (SAAC), HVPC collaborates with Halton Regional Police Service to improve the experience of survivors of sexual assault entering the justice system.
To mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month, there are several initiatives planned:
- On May 21, the SAAC will launch a new website called Survivors Voices, which will share the work being done behind the scenes as well as create a safe place for survivor stories to be shared and feedback to be heard.
- Studies have shown that 95 per cent sexual assaults go unreported, leaving survivors feeling isolated, fearful, traumatized and without support and resources. The website will provide a place for survivors to share experiences and feedback in a confidential way with the community partners of their choice; to gain insight into barriers for reporting their experience to police; provide agencies that support sexual assault survivors a place to gain insight into improving their services and their response to sexual violence.
- HVPC will host an expressive self-care art workshops on Friday, May 28 at 12:30 p.m. The free workshop is open to everyone. You can register at https://bit.ly/2RZ0KKo
The Halton Violence Prevention Council is grateful for the generous donation from the Halton Region Community Investment Fund for without their support this project would not have been possible.