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Resources and Ideas
Sexual assault is a social issue and is EVERYONE’S problem. Avalon Sexual Assault Centre has created SAAM resource materials and a list of ideas that you can download to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Contact Avalon Sexual Assault Centre at 422-4240 ext. 22 or email communityeducationcoordinator@avaloncentre.ca for print copies of zines and posters.
SAAM 2011 Materials
As part of the SAAM
2011
It's Time...to get
!nvolved campaign the The
National Sexual
Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
has created a variety of educational resources, tools and activities
for hosting your own SAAM campaign. Use these materials and those
provided by Avalon Centre to promote Sexual Assault Awareness Month
in your own communities, workplaces, schools, etc.
»
It's Time... Powerpoint Presentation
(PPT)
»
It’s time ... to talk to
your family (PDF)
»
It’s time ... to discuss
boundaries with your neighbors (PDF)
»
It’s time ... to listen
to your customers (PDF)
»
It’s time ... to help your
friends (PDF)
»
It’s time ... to protect
your students (PDF)
»
It’s time ... to respect
your coworkers (PDF)
»
It’s time ... to speak
up in your community (PDF)
»
It’s time … to
incorporate the bystander approach... (PDF)
»
Youth Guide to consent and age of consent (PDF)
»
SAAM
2011 Social Networking Posts and Calendar
(PDF)
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) identifies,
develops and disseminates resources regarding all aspects of sexual
violence prevention and intervention. Founded by the Pennsylvania
Coalition Against Rape in 2000. NSVRC Activities include training
and technical assistance, referrals, consultation, systems advocacy,
resource library, capacity-building, integrating research findings
with community-based projects, coordinating sexual assault awareness
month, co-sponsoring national conferences and events, and web-based
and social networking resources.
Fundraising
As a not-for-profit organization, we rely on donations from many sources. If you would like to donate or fund raise, there are many ways you can do so!
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.
In Your Family/Community/Workplace/School etc. You can do this by:
• Local media designates a week to focus on the reality of sexual violence in the community and it’s impact. To move beyond always portraying women and girls as potential victims, media could also focus on positive images and stories of girls and women, relationships, and healthy sexuality. Include segments on the important work being done in the community to address sexual violence.
• During Sexual Assault Month, designate a week or a day of action to publicly address sexual violence.
• Educators teach non-violent conflict-resolution skills and promote anti-bullying values that demonstrate respect for everyone. Include segments on sexual harassment, sexual assault/abuse, and others forms of violence against women and oppression. Teaching children and youth early about violence against women, racial violence, homophobia, etc. ensures that knowledge regarding specific forms of violence do not get lost. If children are just taught about sexual harassment as a form of bullying they may not be able to recognize forms of sexual violence when it is happening to them or they are doing it to someone else.
• Coaches, officials, and fans emphasize skill-development, teamwork, character, and sportsmanship over competition. Praise, not gender or racial slurs motivate players. Sponsor gender violence prevention training for youth athletic teams, coaches, and officials.
• Community Centers, libraries, and other public spaces provide forums for inter-generational discussion and activities about pop-culture and technology. Activities can include helping people to learn more about newer technologies, and to notice and critically evaluate underlying themes and messages in game, movies, music and ads.
• Health Care Providers talk with patients about normal human development and healthy, consensual sexuality. Educate yourself and your colleagues about sexual violence issues so you can provide information and support to patients who may disclose to you or whom you suspect may be victims/survivors of sexualized violence.
• Faith and Spiritual Community leaders and members sponsor activities that demonstrate appreciation for diversity, address healthy and unhealthy relationships, and that create awareness regarding family violence, sexual abuse/assault, and violence against women. Post information in church bulletins and newsletters, Invite speakers from the anti-violence community. Train peer supporters and clergy etc. in responding to and supporting members of the community who have been sexually violated. Ensure that there are sexual harassment and safety policies in place. Hold sexual offenders accountable.
• Employers promote violence-free workplaces; establish and enforce sexual harassment and anti-bullying policies; contribute resources to programs that are working to make a difference, provide sexual assault awareness, response, and support training for your staff members.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE… to ignore it is to condone it.
“When the traumatic events are of human design, those who bear witness are caught in the conflict between the victim and the perpetrator. It is morally impossible to remain neutral in this conflict. The bystander is forced to take sides. It is very tempting to take the side of the perpetrator. All the perpetrator asks is that the bystander do nothing. He appeals to the universal desire to see, hear and speak no evil. The victim, on the other hand, asks the bystander to share the burden or pain. The victim demands actions, engagement and remembering.” (Judith Herman, Trauma and Recovery, pp 7-8, 1992).
A sexual assault bystander is someone who suspects, is aware of, or witnesses sexual violence but does nothing to stop it. This lack of action perpetuates and condones sexual violence.
Don’t be a sexual assault bystander… Be part of the solution.
Hold sexual violence perpetrators accountable for their criminal offences.
Believe and support victims of sexual assault and abuse.
“For the harm done by the offender, he is responsible. For the harm done because we do not use the best knowledge that is available to us, we are responsible.”
(Irving Waller)
Together, we can STOP! Sexual Assault!
Educating Our Politicians
Sexual assault awareness needs to be increased among our representatives and government officials. Great strides have been made in this area, however, this must be continued until sexual assault and myths about sexual assault are eradicated from society.
Press Release and Public Announcement
Avalon Sexual Assault Centre knows that the more avenues that can be used to create awareness of the plight of sexual assault, the better. So, we created a press release and public announcement that was sent to various locations last year. This comprehensive overview helped to increase awareness of sexual assault, dispel myths about it, and provided statistics.
Sexual Assault Awareness in Our Schools
Examples used are from our
2009
SAAM campaign
Sexual Assault Awareness needs to start with our kids. With SAAM, they arm themselves and each other with knowledge that will contribute to helping them and their communities against the issue of sexual assault. Students also helped raise money to donate to the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, which was much needed by us and we were extremely appreciative of. Thank you students!
Here are the highlights of past events:
• The Prince Andrew High School Youth Health Centre's Health Action Team put on a very successful Sexual Assault Awareness Week in 2009
• Activities began May 28 with a "cake raffle" fundraising event in support of Avalon Sexual Assault Centre. The cake was baked by a grade 12 student.
• The Health Action Team “papered” the YHC with posters featuring sexual assault facts
• The Team prepared a lunch and learn for June 3 and delivered a 15 minute peer-led presentation on Sexual Assault on June 3 followed by a 15 minute presentation by Jackie Stevens.
• 25 youth attended and enjoyed snacks and a youth-led dialogue on sexual assault. Invited guests, community educator, Jackie Stevens, from Avalon and Constable Anthony Sparks, PAHS Liaison Officer both attended. The Health Action Team presented Jackie & Avalon with the $148 raised at PA.
Raising Public Awareness
An important part of the work we do is educating the public on the services that the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre provides and the role that it plays in the community. In order for survivors to access our services, they need to know it's out there! Help us to get the word out by printing off this poster below and displaying it in public areas.
For information about:
Avalon Centre’s Programs and Services:
• Individual Counseling
• Support and Therapy Groups
• Information Sessions for Non Offending Parents and Partners
• Legal Support and Advocacy
• Community Education/Professional Training
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program
Also available on the website:
• What Do I Do Now? – Information about options and support after sexual assault
• How Can I Help? – Professional resource/training manual
• Resources: Sexual Assault Awareness and Support
• Information for Youth
• Information about Sexual Assault and the Law
• Links and information about other agencies
• Research, Statistics, Links, Media
Promoting the Avalon Centre
An important part of the work we do is educating the public on the services that the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre provides and the role that it plays in the community. In order for survivors to access our services, they need to know it's out there! Help us to get the word out by printing off this poster below and displaying it in public areas.
Avalon Sexual Assault Centre
The Avalon Sexual Assault Centre is a feminist organization working to eliminate sexual assault/abuse, and to change the current socio-political culture that fosters sexism, social injustice and other forms of oppression. The Avalon Sexual Assault Centre provides counseling, supportive information and referral, legal and court support, and education to those who have suffered any sexual assaults, with primary emphasis on immediate care/support, education, counseling and leadership/advocacy services for women.
Our services are:
• One to one counseling for women 16 years and older and for non offending parents/partners
• Support and therapy groups
• Sexual assault legal and court support
• Education and training
• Supportive information, referral and resources over the phone provided to victims/survivors, service providers, male survivors and youth under age 16, and the general public
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Program – Respond to the Emergency Departments of the QEII, Dartmouth General, IWK, and the Copbiquid Community Health Centre to provide medical care, collect forensic evidence, etc. for males, females, and trans people of all ages who have been sexually assaulted in the last 3 days (72 hours). Forensic evidence can be frozen for up to six months.
These services are:
• Specialized and client centered
• Provided by professional staff
• Free
• Counseling is professional, safe and private
• Confidential and non judgmental
Due to scheduled appointments/commitments it isn’t always possible to accommodate walk-ins. Call to make an appointment, for information, and resources: 422-4240.
Avalon Centre is centrally located and on the bus route.
*Call or check our website for upcoming programs and events.
Avalon Centre Model for Sexual Assault
Awareness and Prevention
At Avalon, we take our work seriously and put much time and effort into ensuring that the work we do incorporates the most modern and successful methods possible.
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