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Everyday we ask questions. Some basic, like:
How are you doing?
What time is it?
Do you want fries with that?
Some questions are more serious or personal...
What is your religion?
Did you vote?
How much money do you make?
While we often ask lots of questions to both strangers and people we know, rarely do people ask for sexual consent. Sexual consent if often assumed or taken for granted and can sometimes be based on sexual assault myths and stereotypes. However, sexual consent cannot be assumed or chemically induced. A person cannot give sexual consent if they are drunk, unconscious, asleep, or under the age of consent.
Sex without consent is sexual assault. Sexual assault is a crime. Sexual Assault is the most under-reported crime in Canada. Nova Scotia has one of the highest sexual assault rate per capita in the country.
So, let's do something about it! The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women and the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre want Nova Scotians to ASK about sexual violence. ASK "What can I do to stop sexual violence in my community?". ASK the criminal justice system, local, provincial, and the federal goverments what they are doing to address sexual violence as a social and legal issue. ASK victims/survivors of sexulized violence what services and supports they require. ASK why sexual assault myths and stereotypes continue to be perpetuated.
Don't be a bystander. If you are aware of sexual violence, take action.
The ASK campaign is a partnership between Avalon Sexual Assault Centre and the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women.
To find out more about the ASK campaign and to request ASK cards, stickers, hand stamps, etc. please contact Avalon Sexual Assault Centre at 902.422.4240,
or email us at:
communityeducationcoordinator@avaloncentre.ca.
An ASK poster created by 2010 participants of the YWCA Power Camp (girls ages 11-17)
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To download a printable version of the ASK card, click here.
Sexual Assault Awareness
Why talk about sexual violence?
Most victims are women.
Most victims are under 25.
Most victims know their attackers.
Most victims do not report the crime to police.
About 88 per cent of sexual assaults in Canada do not get reported to police.
In more than three quarters of cases reported to Halifax Regional Police in 2005, victims of sexual offences knew the accused. In 2005, only 26 per cent of reported sexual assaults in Nova Scotia resulted in the laying of a charge against the accused – down from 56 per cent in 1993.
Like all violence against women, sexual violence is not an isolated event. It has a ripple effect in families and communities. Victims have a greater risk of suicide, depression, anxiety, self-harm, sleep disorders, substance abuse, reduced earning power, homelessness, and post-traumatic stress.
Behind every woman who is experiencing devastating short- and long-term impacts from the sexual assault, often there is a family living through this with her.
What can we do about it?
Sexual assault against women and young women is a high priority for the office of the Status of Women. The agency invited government and community partners to a
workshop on March 31 to discuss actions to address sexual assault. The partners are currently reviewing the report Suffering in Silence and considering next steps.
One of the recommendations was to raise awareness, to raise a red flag about sexual assault... especially to vulnerable populations, such as young people entering university or ending the school year, women with disabilities, First Nations women, and women who face multiple barriers in society.
The ASK campaign
During the next few months, look for signs of the “ask” campaign, targeted to where young people socialize. There will be cards, bar stamps and posters, and more…
Click the images below to download the posters.
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