Suppose you ask a group of people what the signs of someone experiencing Human Trafficking are. In that case, they may say it looks like a person suddenly withdrawing from their friends and family or disappearing at night for several hours. Although these two concepts are a good start, they do not cover the full scope of what Human Trafficking can look like, nor are they an exhaustive list.

For most people, the signs of Human Trafficking are difficult to describe; this difficulty increases if they are asked to differentiate between the increased risk of exploitation and exploitation. If we want to understand Human Trafficking better, this difficulty needs to be addressed.

Sex Trafficking is a type of Human Trafficking that falls under the umbrella of sexual exploitation. To help folks identify what Sex Trafficking can look like, this article will unpack some of the signs.

This article will also explain how you can begin to address a possible situation of Sex Trafficking with a trauma-informed approach. If we can better understand what Sex Trafficking can look like and how to respond to it, we will be better equipped to tackle it and implement preventative measures.

Before we explore the signs of Sex Trafficking, a vital difference must be named: sex work and Sex Trafficking are NOT the same things. The main difference is choice and consent.
It is legal in Canada for consenting adults aged 18+ to sell sexual services. Treating sex work and Sex Trafficking the same does an immense amount of harm to not only sex workers but also the movement to end Sex Trafficking.
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In addition, looking for signs requires the recognition of a pattern of multiple drastic changes in behaviours, not just one behaviour.
 
For family and friends, the following are signs to observe:

• Withdrawal from friends, family, school, or support network
• Increased absences from home without any notice
• Attendance at school, work, or social activities become poor
• Has a new partner but will not introduce them or give any information about them
• Unexplained articles of clothing, accessories, and electronics that are out of reach for them financially (I.e., a brand-new phone)
• Works odd hours at 'a job' they do not want to talk about (I.e., 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
• Shows signs of injuries and physical abuse
• Frequent untreated/treated STIs
• Significant changes in behaviour, personality, and hygiene habits
• Possesses a large number of condoms, lube, and lingerie
• Although it is becoming less common, tattoos and/or branding on the body

 
For support workers, the following signs may be observed:

• Cannot attend appointments alone or are often accompanied by someone who speaks on their behalf
• Calls in with someone else on the phone or asking questions on their behalf
• Often deters to another person prior to answering any questions
• Avoids eye contact, social interactions, and authority figures
• Lacks official identification documents and/or any personal possessions
• Works excessively long hours or hours that are unusual for their age
• Frequently checks into hotels/motels or shares that they are staying there as their current method of housing
• Calling panicked and requesting funding without a reason
• Uses street slang, such as "game," "telly party," "daddy", "john," or "stable."
• Frequently leaves and travels between regions.
• If they leave the region, they cannot provide information about where they are going or how long.

​Now that you know a bit more about Sex Trafficking, it is time to learn how to respond to what you suspect is a sexually exploitative situation. When you notice a pattern of drastic changes in behaviour, the first action is to recognize when you need support.

Contact SASC’s Anti-Human Trafficking Program
When the person you're worried about displays signs or tells you about being exploited, SASC's Anti-Human Trafficking program is here to provide support through services like a risk assessment and direct 1-1 consultation. If you suspect someone you know is experiencing sexual exploitation, please get in touch with SASC at 519-571-0121 ext. 111 or email ahtp@sascwr.org from Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To learn more about SASC's Anti-Human Trafficking Program, click HERE.
 
Utilize a trauma-informed approach
After recognizing when you need support and reaching out to programs like SASC's Anti-Human Trafficking Program for help, engaging with the person using a trauma-informed approach is essential. This approach recognizes trauma's impact on a person instead of blaming them for what has occurred.
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People experiencing sexual exploitation may have feelings of shame surrounding what they have been forced to do; therefore, if you ask a person if something is happening and they disclose to you that they are experiencing Sex Trafficking, do NOT blame them. Instead, remain calm, thank them for trusting you with their story, help them meet their immediate needs (i.e., providing them with a meal, bus tickets, and access to water), and give them space to talk. Furthermore, if they identify that they have been in an exploitative situation, ask them how they would like you to name it (I.e., "I was exploited") and match your wording with theirs. Practice active listening, empathy, and be mindful of your body language.
 
Offer other supports and resources
Finally, once you and the person have spoken about what has happened to them, ask them if they would like to be connected to appropriate resources to receive support. SASC's Anti-Human Trafficking program has resources that directly support survivors of Sex Trafficking to leave and/or heal from their exploitative situation, which is shared during our work with community members.

If you want other support, contact Victim Services of Waterloo Region at 519-570-5143 or The Canadian National Human Trafficking Hotline's phone or online chat function that operates 24/7 under 1-833-900-1010. If the person is not interested in connecting with appropriate resources, do not pressure them. They have had their autonomy taken away by a trafficker and do not need you to treat them similarly. Through patience and compassion with the person, progress can be made.

What is Human Trafficking? Human Trafficking is the act of recruiting, transporting, or harboring a person for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labour. It is typically done using threats, force, fraud, deception, coercion, or a power imbalance to control one or more individuals. There are stages in Human Trafficking, which begin from a person being at risk of becoming exploited to a person being forced to commit acts online and in person (i.e., trafficking).  ​

Sex trafficking is the most reported form of human trafficking in Ontario. This is when a person is forced to commit sexual acts against their will. Although people of all genders and ages are impacted, sex trafficking is a gender-based crime that predominantly impacts women and girls (96%) as well as folks aged 24 and below (69%). People with other characteristics are also targeted, as we live in a society where different systems of oppression operate to make some folks more vulnerable than others. 

If a person is racialized, a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, a newcomer to Canada, has a precarious immigration status, is neurodivergent, experiences poverty, has unstable housing, is seeking belonging/connection, or has mental health and/or physical health challenges, all of these factors can increase their vulnerability. Traffickers or exploitative people will look for individuals who are experiencing multiple intersections of vulnerability, both systemically and individually, because they know that folks from these communities are less likely to be protected, believed, and/or resourced.  

To eliminate human trafficking, it is imperative that we address the root causes rather than only focusing on individual factors. This includes poverty, isolation, racism and discrimination, colonization, misogyny, fear/hatred/prejudice of sex workers (also known as whorephobia), cis-heteropatriarchy, Crimmigration, language barriers, and harmful governmental and organizational policies.

It is important to keep in mind that anyone can be a target of human trafficking; therefore, we should all take the time to understand the risk factors of human trafficking, what the signs of exploitation are, and what resources and services are available to combat them (such as SASC’s Anti-Human Trafficking Program). 

​There are many myths about human trafficking that dilute our community’s understanding of what is exploitation and how it can happen. Click on the human trafficking myths below to reveal the facts. 

SASC’s Anti-Human Trafficking Program (AHTP) uses a trauma-informed, harm reduction, and feminist approach to provide wrap-around services to those experiencing sexual exploitation and those who are at significant risk within Waterloo Region.  

Wrap-around services means that AHTP connects the individual with other resources and services we have built relationships with in order for them to have their needs met. This act of community care ensures a holistic, needs-based perspective is taken in our work to support people. That way, no one gets left behind.  

AHTP is a free, confidential, and non-judgmental program to all participants. It is accessible to all genders ages 12 and up, and is available regardless of immigration or citizenship status.  

AHTP has a working relationship with Waterloo Regional Police Service. This relationship acknowledges the time and place for police services to be utilized, while also finding ways to collaborate with them and other community members to reduce the harm that police inherently create - with specific attention paid to their impacts on equity deserving communities. A survivor reporting their experience to the police is always survivor-led at SASC. 

SASC has several prevention efforts that work to reduce risk in Waterloo Region. Some of these prevention efforts look like AHTP facilitating educational programming for other social services, schools, and organizations on Human Trafficking, directly supporting those with lowered risk before it increases with one-to-one counselling, and conducting advocacy for those experiencing barriers to finding support. Our work is not only reactive, but also proactive.  

There are several services that AHTP offers to Waterloo Region as well as other communities where accessible, as we have done online facilitation in the past. These services are the following: 

• Counselling and advocacy of individuals and family members 
• Related accompaniments service users need 
• Crisis intervention support in person, online, and other creative ways 
• Safety planning for those at risk, entrenched, trying to exit, or already exited 
• Housing support as well as temporary emergency shelter, as we have a unique pilot project in partnership with Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, which provides two shelter beds for those experiencing or at significant risk of experiencing sexual exploitation and trafficking 
• Support throughout the legal process from reporting through testifying – this is of course survivor-led  
• SOS program  

• Practical assistance, such as our Practical Needs Closet that has free resources such as clothing, food, toiletries, and self-care items 
• Public education and outreach 
• RESET curriculum that teaches youth about healthy relationships and the signs of exploitation through interactive learning. ​

Winter is here and with it comes many holidays and gatherings. While this may bring joy and excitement, it can also create situations that prompt anxiety, depression, and grief, especially for survivors of sexual violence.​

Survivors can experience mixed emotions around the holiday season for many reasons. Some things that can make the holidays extra challenging are: 

• Increased expectations for the season, ourselves, our families/friends 
• Financial stress 
• Increased time spent with friends/family that aren’t always helpful 

• Presence of abuser at social gatherings and/or those that have condoned or minimized the abuse 
• Disruption of routine 
• Increased triggers, flashbacks, nightmares 
• Navigating difficult people/topics with friends/family 
• Setting and maintaining boundaries 

• Reminder of those you are no longer close or in contact with because of abuse 

Knowing how the holidays may affect you, now can be a good time to brush up on your coping skills, lean on your support systems and make a plan to get through the tough times! If you are a support person for a survivor, now may be an important time to check in with them about how you can best support them through these times. Giving some concrete options of how you can support them can be useful. For example, instead of just saying “Let me know what I can do”, you could add “I can bring a meal over," "I can be available to pick you up if you are feeling triggered and need a ride home," or "I can text you encouraging things during the event.” 

Some holiday coping ideas…   
​

• Change or create new traditions – no need to keep the same old traditions if they are painful, difficult or no longer bring you joy and happiness. Think of this year as an opportunity to start new!    
• Have a conversation about what the holidays look like for you this year. This can alleviate stress about the unknown of what your holidays entail.   
• Schedule a time for breakdown or alone time.  
• Re-evaluate your priorities for the holiday you are celebrating, and ensure that your celebrations are serving YOUR priorities, not just those of others.  
• Acknowledge the “inside” does not always match the “outside” – it can be difficult to be around so many happy people when you don’t feel happy. You don’t need to change, but acknowledging this challenge may be helpful.  
• Make space to acknowledge what you have lost. Allow yourself to grieve. It is okay to not be okay.   
• Have an exit strategy – when you need to go, you need to go! Have a plan to leave and use it when you need it. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. If it helps, you can have possible excuses to leave ready to go. Create a safety plan if needed.  
• Give-back if you are ready and have capacity! 
• Be gentle with yourself. There is no perfect way to handle this, errors will happen and that is okay!   
• Practice self-care strategies that you know to be helpful for you!  
• Create a sensory wellness kit. Keep items on hand that help you calm down and feel more grounded. For example, comfort objects, a picture of a loved one, a chocolate bar, favourite tea, soft blanket, beeswax candle, affirmations, etc. 
• Reach out for support! Remember you are not alone. Let the support people in your life know what are useful ways they can support you during this time. For example, you can schedule check-in times, let them know your schedule and when it may be useful to connect, ask them to remind you of your coping strategies. 
• Know the resources of places you are travelling and keep them regularly available – you can call SASC support line, or the local support line of where you are going to, consider booking extra counselling or support appointments if possible. 
• Connect with other survivors. SASC groups are a way to connect with others that are going through similar experiences. Click on the button below to see a full list of our groups and workshops.​ 

Know that you are not alone. You can always call SASC’s 24 hour support line at 519.741.8633.  ​

More community resources: 
​
Crisis lines 

• Assaulted Women's Helpline:
  • Toll-Free: 1 (866) 863-0511  
  • Canada wide sexual assault crisis/support line   
• Here 24/7:  
  • Toll-Free: 1 (844)437-3247
  • Crisis support and Referrals (Waterloo-Wellington)  
• LGBTQ Youth Line
  • ​4:00-9:30 PM Sunday-Friday.
  • Toll-Free: 1 (800) 268-9688
  • Text: (647)694-4275  
• Trans Lifeline
  • Toll-Free: 1 (877) 330-6366
  • Hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people.  

Local supports and events  

• Christmas Support Programs (KW)
  • Food for holiday meals and gifts for children 15 years and younger.  ​
• Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region 
  • Gift cards for groceries or gifts. 
  • Community Information Centre of Waterloo Region: (519) 579-3800 
  • Contact for more information on Christmas hampers and times and locations of Christmas dinners.  
• SPECTRUM Celebration of Chosen Family 
  • December 25, 2022 from 12-3 PM
  • Options to Attend In-Person or Virtually 
  • Chance for 2SLGBTQ+ community members of Waterloo Region to have a holiday celebration and lunch together. 

November 20th is International Transgender Day of Remembrance. This day is dedicated to remembering and honouring the trans people whose lives have been lost to transphobic violence. 
​
As a genderfluid and transmasculine person, this day is particularly important to me. I have been a part of queer and trans communities for most of my youth and adult life, and I personally know (and fiercely love) many trans folks who have been physically abused or sexually assaulted because of their trans identities. I am fortunate that all of my trans friends are still alive, but we are among the lucky ones who have had each other to lean on for support and have carved out little spots in this world where we can belong. 

Trans folks (especially those with little to no support from friends and family and transgender youth in particular) are also at a much higher risk for suicide. In Canada, trans youth are five times as likely to experience suicidal ideation and 7.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than their cisgender peers. Therefore, on this day, I also like to remember not only those who were murdered but those who took their own lives because the world they lived in did not treat them with the kindness, love, and respect that they deserved.
​
 In honour of the trans folks who have been taken from us this year and of the trans people whose hearts are still beating inside them, we wanted to share a few ways that cis allies can work towards making their feminism more trans-inclusive.  By actively committing to trans inclusivity as a community, we can shift our culture and make it safer for trans people to thrive, not just survive. 

 1. Do your Research

You are already reading this article, so you have made an excellent first step!
Too often, marginalized people are expected to take on the emotional labour of explaining and justifying their existence with little or no compensation for their efforts. This applies as much to trans identities as it does to race, religion, ethnic background, sexuality, or any other marker of difference.

Don’t rely on transgender people to tell you how to be a good ally or educate you about transgender terminology and issues. Do your research and understand the difference between credible and not credible sources. Websites like Wikipedia, where anyone can edit the information, are often not considered credible sources. Here are some credible resources to get you started:

GLAAD’s “Tips for Allies of Transgender People”
Spectrum Waterloo’s Resources Page
Planned Parenthood’s List of Transgender Identity Terms and Labels
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2. Be Intersectional!

Understand that not all trans people experience oppression and privilege the same. For example, a white trans man does not have to contend with the additional challenges of racism and trans-misogyny that a black trans woman does, even though they may both face transphobia.

Understanding intersections of identity and how they impact the lives of the people around us are one step toward making our feminism not just trans-inclusive but all-inclusive (i.e. Intersectional).

Watch Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED Talk on “the Urgency of Intersectionality” to learn more.
​
3. Use Gender-Inclusive Language

Avoid using language that assumes that binary genders are the ‘neutral’ or the ‘normal’ way of being in the world.

For example, when discussing issues such as menstruation or pregnancy, recognize that trans men and non-binary people (not just cisgender women) have uteruses. Instead of saying “pregnant women,” try using “pregnant people” or “people with the ability to become pregnant” instead of “women.” 

Additionally, instead of referring to unknown subjects (for example, when writing about an anonymous author) using “he/she” or “he or she,” try using the singular “they.” This avoids the assumption that the unknown subjects’ gender identity is binary.

Please take a look at the 519’s Media Guide and their section on Trans and Non-binary communities as a starting point.
​
4. Speak up and Speak out

When you hear or see other cis people saying or doing something transphobic, call them in if it is safe to do so and let them know why it is hurtful. Do this even when there are no trans people around. 

If someone misgenders (uses the wrong pronouns) for someone, politely correct them!

Take a look at this article from Healthline about how to identify and address transphobia.
​
5. Elevate Trans Voices

If you have the privilege, use it!

In matters concerning trans folks, use your voice to elevate the voices of trans people. Let us speak for ourselves on the issues that concern our health, safety and well-being. Trans people are the best experts on their own lives.

For example, consider asking trans employees how policies around name changes could be improved in a workplace setting. Be careful not to place undue expectations on trans folks to come up with all solutions to trans-related issues, as you may fall into the same trap as tip #1 (emotional labour without compensation). Consultation with trans people is better than placing the burden of creating change entirely on them.

Read the article “Amplifying Marginalized Voices: Steps Toward Allyship” from the David Eccles School of Business as a starting point.
​
6. Reflect on your own Gender Identity, Presentation, and Expression.

For many trans people, gender is something we are constantly aware of and engaged with. It may be helpful for you to think about your gender identity, presentation, and expression.
For example, what does it mean to be a man or woman? What does your culture say about masculinity and femininity? Do you fit into your culture’s standards or occupy spaces outside them?

What kind of masculine or feminine expression do you present? Maybe you are a ‘tomboy’ or a ‘girly’ girl. Perhaps you are a ‘macho’ or nerdy’ man. What does it mean to express your gender in these ways? Are you always masculine? Are you always feminine? What does it mean to be masculine or feminine?  

Thinking about your own gender identity and expression will help you to understand yourself better, and it will also help you to understand the spectrum of gender. Try reading this article by the Trevor Project to get started.
​
You can also consider your cisgender privilege by reading this list from IPM.
​
7. Engage with Trans Content / Trans Creators

Enjoy media from and about trans people! It’s that simple!

Trans people deserve to be celebrated, not just mourned. Engaging with trans artists, musicians, actors, and social media influencers are just some ways that we can celebrate and honour the many contributions that trans people have made to our culture and society!

Visit Carleton University’s Transgender Media Portal to find your new favourite thing!

8. Vote for Political Candidates who will Protect Trans Rights
 
There has been a lot of transphobic rhetoric in the news lately, especially in the recent Ontario school board elections. Thankfully many of these anti-trans candidates did not gain seats, but this is only because trans allies came out and voted for the candidates who would protect trans rights and the right for all students to feel safe and represented in the classroom.
 
If you are eligible to vote, you should do your research and vote in a way that supports the rights of trans people and other marginalized communities. 

​I hope this post has given you something to think about on this Trans Day of Remembrance and that you take the time today to remember the trans people whose lives have been cut short. I also hope that you take the time today and every day to support the trans people in your lives and your communities so that we can all make this a better world to live in together.

Since it started on April 11, 2022, the defamation lawsuit filed against Amber Heard by her ex-husband Johnny Depp has saturated mainstream news outlets and social media pages, with an outpouring of support being given to Depp and a disturbing amount of abuse being directed towards Heard as the trial drags on in the public spotlight. We want to take this chance to unpack what has been happening in the media surrounding the trial and its impact on our work here at SASC.  ​

What is going on?  
In 2016, Heard reported abuse by Depp to a police station in Los Angeles, California, and was granted a temporary restraining order against him by the courts. This circulated widely in the media and set off a chain of legal battles between the two. 
 
On December 18, 2018, Heard wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post. She wrote about some of the difficulties and backlash she had faced after becoming “a public figure representing domestic abuse.”  In the op-ed, she discusses losing job opportunities and having to “change phone numbers weekly” due to harassment and death threats she was receiving from the public. Although Depp is never mentioned by name in the op-ed, he filed a defamation lawsuit against Heard in 2019, alleging that she had lied about him abusing her; this is the defamation suit which Heard is currently on trial for.
 
Before the start of this trial, in 2020, Depp lost a different defamation lawsuit in the UK that he brought against a tabloid newspaper that had referred to him as “a wife-beater.” After Heard testified, the court concluded that there was enough evidence that Depp had physically and sexually abused her, and the lawsuit was dismissed.
  
In addition to the defamation suit that Depp has brought against Heard, the court is simultaneously considering a countersuit that Heard has brought against Depp, alleging that he conspired with his former lawyer, Adam Waldman, to defame her in the media after Walden told The Daily Mail that her allegations against Depp were “an abuse hoax.”  

The Public Reaction 

Since the start of the trial, Heard’s defense team has brought an overwhelming amount of convincing evidence of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse perpetrated by Depp against Heard. Yet mainstream media and social media seem to actively distrust and despise Heard for coming forward with these allegations. Many on social media, especially on Tik Tok and Twitter, have openly mocked Heard, claiming she has made up the abuse by Depp as a “money-grab” or because she was the abuser, not Depp. She has been called names, received rape and death threats, and continuously been portrayed as ‘manipulative,’ ‘lying,’ and ‘evil’ by social media users. Dozens of accounts on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok have sprung up since the trial began, posting regular incendiary content on the trial and capitalizing on the public devastation of two famous lives by monetizing their posts. Videos rake in millions of views on YouTube, and their creators rake in dollars as users flock to their content, enticed by the sensationalist aspect of the trial.  

In addition to the outward hatred directed at Heard, an outpouring of support for Depp has permeated the online sphere. #JusticeforJohnny trended alongside #AmberTurd and Depp stans went as far as to wait outside the courthouse and hand him gifts through the rolled down windows of his limousine.  

Why is it Important to Talk About This?  

Despite the evidence that false sexual assault and abuse allegations are exceedingly rare, many do not seem to believe Heard’s allegations or even seem interested in giving her the benefit of the doubt. After the #MeToo movement swept through Hollywood and, for the first time in an exceptionally long time, powerful men were being held accountable for their crimes; it is not surprising that society has begun to swing backward in what feels like a moment of regression. 
​ 
Depp is not only a famous man, he is an incredibly famous man. He has acquired many highly devoted fans during his decades as an actor. Heard is notable too, but her fanbase has always been smaller. Her name is now mostly recognized only in association with this trial and not with the numerous films she has been in. For those fans who found out in 2016 that Depp was just one of many men in Hollywood that had sexually assaulted someone, the news came as both a shock and a disappointment. The initial public response had been anger, as folks boycotted his films, and his career began tanking. His fans were in disbelief; how could this man they had admired and looked up to end up being an abuser and a rapist? So, when in 2018, Heard was called a liar, it is no surprise that his fans latched onto the idea that Depp was an unfortunate victim of Heard’s manipulative schemes to ruin his career out of spite. It is far easier to believe that a man you admire is a victim than a perpetrator.  

This follows an overall societal trend of exhaustion with the #MeToo movement. The dominant values of our society are patriarchal. This means that our society tends to overwhelmingly favor the opinions and lives of men, anything which is perceived as masculine. In comparison, women's lives and anything perceived as feminine are undervalued and considered insignificant. The patriarchy thrives off controlling women’s bodies, and it is pushing back against the strides made by the #MeToo movement. Patriarchy wants us to believe that women lie about being raped, and Heard is being made an example of. Making an example of Heard gives patriarchy the fuel it needs to discredit even more survivors. By painting survivors (mostly women) as liars, the patriarchy keeps them in their ‘place’ as less valuable to society when compared to the accused perpetrators (mostly men) who are painted as ‘truth tellers’ and "promising young men with their whole lives ahead of them” who would never lie about things like rape. Regardless of the reality that Heard is highly unlikely to be lying about the abuse she faced from Depp, folks online are already pointing to her as an example of why survivors should not be believed or trusted.  

Heard does not stand for all women, but in the court of public opinion, that does not matter. How can survivors come forward to report if they fear being seen as liars? A 2012 study done by the YWCA of Canada found that for every 1000 sexual assaults in Canada 33 are reported to police, 29 are recorded as a crime, 12 have charges laid, 6 are prosecuted, and 3 lead to a conviction. This means that out of every 1000 sexual assaults, 997 assailants walk free. The reporting rate is already so low, and with this trial and the treatment of Heard on social media, we can only guess how many survivors may not come forward because of it. This trial has already impacted survivors, and many have spoken out on social media, condemning Heard and supporting Depp. Sentiments say the same thing: We are not Amber Heard. We are not liars. Please believe us. If someone does speak out in support of Heard, their voices are drowned out by the support for Depp, or they receive a similar reception to Heard; they are called names, they are called liars, and they receive rape and death threats.  

What Can We Do? 

When things like this happen in the news, there is little we can do to affect the event itself directly, but there is plenty we can do to affect the well-being of those in our lives who are being affected by it.  

1. Do Your Research 

When events like this occur, it is all too easy to get sucked into what is happening on social media. But we must remember that social media is not a good substitute for news. Look for articles or stories from credible news sites like the CBC, the Washington Post, or the New York Times for information about the event. This will help you better understand the facts about what is taking place and develop a fully informed opinion on the topic outside of the social media bubbles we often find ourselves in. Try to read or watch the news from multiple sites to get a fuller picture of the events and avoid skimming article titles without thoroughly reading them.  

2. Speak Up When It is Safe  

If you hear or see something harmful (like some of the comments about Heard) and you are in a safe position to do so, speak up. Let the person know what they are saying is harmful and negatively impacts them. This is best done in person, as online interventions are unlikely to go noticed, and trolls are unlikely to change when called in.  

3. Support the Survivors in Your Life 

If there are survivors in your life that you think may be affected by the events in the news, reach out to them. Let them know you support them. It can be good to have a conversation with others about what is happening and how we feel about it. It can often feel isolating to view content like this, especially when it saturates our news feeds and often feel inescapable.  

4. Invest in Prevention Education  

Everybody needs media literacy tools to understand how patriarchy manifests itself in the news and social media. With these tools, we can better prepare ourselves for how to respond to new stories like the Depp v. Heard trial and better understand their real-life impacts beyond the internet bubble.  

At SASC, our public education program offers free prevention education to groups of all kinds, and there are online counselling groups and workshops that you can sign up for. You can also consider donating through our website to our general fund to help us expand support for survivors and our public education programming.  

How to Care for Yourself  

If you are a survivor and this news or other news has affected you or your healing journey, here are some tips to help you take care of yourself.  

1. Take a Break from Social Media 

Put down your phone or laptop and disconnect from social media. It is okay to take a break and do something else. Do something that makes you happy. Maybe there is a book you have been meaning to read or a tv show you have been meaning to watch. You could go for a walk or color a picture.  

2. Let Yourself Rest 

Take a moment to yourself to breathe and to sit with your emotions. Allow yourself to acknowledge them and practice grounding techniques like deep breathing to help you process your feelings. It is okay to take time for yourself.  

3. Reach out For Support  

If you need to talk to someone about your feelings, reach out to your friends and family or contact our 24-Hour Support Line at 519-741-8633 or use our online chat services at sascwr.org. We are here to listen to you, and we believe you.