During May 2009 for the first time in Nova Scotia, HRM is recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In many cities in Canada and in the United States April or May (depending on the area) is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Violence against women and family violence are recognized publicly in HRM through various events. However, to date, Neither HRM or Nova Scotia has formally acknowledged sexual assault as a public issue.
As the only sexual assault centre in HRM and as one of only two in Nova Scotia, Avalon Sexual Assault Centre has asked HRM Mayor Peter Kelley to officially declare May 2009 as the first Sexual Assault Awareness Month in HRM. This May, Avalon Centre is involved in a series of endeavors to assist our community to Respond to Modern Challenges in Sexual Violence. Our goal is to encourage HRM residents to learn about sexual violence, how to help prevent and address it, how to hold sexual offenders accountable, and how to help survivors heal.
Avalon Centre is calling for HRM wide participation to Respond to Modern Challenges in Sexual Violence, and would be honored if service providers and members of the general public would agree to participate in recognizing this important issue by displaying Avalon Centre posters and educational materials, participating in SAAM events, educating yourself and others about sexual assault, and taking action to address sexual violence issues in your community.
A Sexual Assault Awareness Month Information Package is available. It includes: posters, information about Avalon Centre’s programs and services, a copy of the mayor’s official proclamation to declare May Sexual Violence Awareness Month, a sexual assault take action handout for community members, and an information sheet about sexual violence in HRM and Nova Scotia. Further information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month is available below.
No one person, organization, agency or community can eliminate sexual assault alone. With leadership and commitment, we can work together as a community to prevent sexual assault, support victims/survivors, prevent re-victimization, challenge societal myths and stereotypes, hold sexual offenders accountable, and increase financial, political, and public support for specialized services for victims/survivors; thus creating a future HRM where all women, men, and children can live safe from violence and exploitation.
Thank you for you action and your support!
Avalon Centre Sexual Assault Centre
Join Avalon Sexual Assault Centre in
Responding to Modern Challenges in Sexual Violence
You can do this by:
- Challenging sexual assault myths as well as racial, gender, and social etc. stereotypes that perpetuate and condone sexual assault and other forms of violence against women, marginalize people and make them vulnerable to victimization and discrimination.
- Educate yourself and others about sexual assault in HRM and in Nova Scotia.
- Become aware of the various support agencies in your area so you will know how to access them if you or someone you know requires their services.
- No one person, organization, agency, or community can eliminate sexual assault alone. Get involved in initiatives that address sexual violence and other forms of violence against women. Work to establish formalized professional sexual assault services in your community.
- Lobby for legislative and judicial change that will improve the legal process for victims of sexual offences, hold sexual offenders accountable for their crimes, and that will ensure that offenders get treatment and victims/survivors get support and justice.
- Let local politicians at all levels of government know that you support the need for specialized sexual assault services in every community in Nova Scotia. VOTE!
- Sexual assault and abuse is a criminal offense. Be aware of the laws and understand the concept of consent so you can avoid committing any act of sexual assault, abuse, harassment, or exploitation.
- If someone you know tells you they were sexually assaulted…BELIEVE them! Let them know that the sexual offense is not their fault.
- Let it be known that you do not condone sexist jokes or sexual harassment of any kind. Take action if you witness or are aware of sexual offences.
- Challenge sexism in the media and in your own community. You can do this by writing letters to the editor, challenging discriminatory policies, procedures, and behaviours.
- There is a lot of silence about sexual violence issues. Talk to people you know about sexual assault. Once the silence and secrecy is broken we can start to work together to support sexual assault survivors and take action to create social change.
|
EVENTS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY
- May 1-31
Sexual Assault Awarness Month and Book displays at various branches of Halifax Regional Library
- May 1
Peace Summit - Oxford Junior High School
- May 5-6
Atlantic Partners in Sexual Assault Response presents: Modern Challenges in Sexual Violence: Responding to the Issues Conference, Park Place Hotel and Conference Centre, Ramada Plaza, Dartmouth NS
- May 7
Girls Action Foundation ZOOM IN ON GIRLS Atlantic Edition Reception - 5 pm, The Hub, 1673 Barrington St. Halifax, second floor.
- May 8
Girls Action Foundation ZOOM IN ON GIRLS Day of Sharing Experience and Expertise, The Hub, 8 am - 5 pm.
- May 26
Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS) Staff Training, Sydney, Cape Breton
- May 25-28
CAPDHHE Conference: Navigating Toward an Inclusive Environment in Higher Education. a href="http://www.capdhhe.org" target="new">www.capdhhe.org
- June 1-14
Halifax V Day: Until The Violence Stops Festival www.halifaxvday.ca
|
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) resources:
Campaign Tools
