new, Updates and Press Releases
Recently, a national discussion has been developing online and in the media regarding sexual violence within sports organizations, most notably Hockey Canada.
As a Sexual Assault Support Centre, we stand with all survivors of sexual violence, including those who have experienced harm by athletes. We know serious problems exist at the root of sports culture that too often result in sexual violence. These problems include:
These problems culminate in what is termed rape culture. It is a fact that the harm caused by rape culture in sports organizations and our broader communities predominately impacts women, girls, and gender-diverse people. And because sexism, racism, and colonialism intersect, Black, Indigenous, and racialized women and girls are at even greater risk of being harmed. Sports organizations and athletes must address the issue of sexual violence in sports to build safer communities for all. Knowing this, working with athletes has been a focus of our Male Allies Program since 2008. Our Leading by Example training supports athletes in becoming community champions in areas such as healthy masculinity and consent. In 2016, we co-created a curriculum for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) called OHL Onside, and we have been involved in training OHL players since that time. Due to our experience educating for social change within sports organizations, Hockey Canada recently contacted our Public Education team. They requested specialized training for athletes, team staff and Hockey Canada staff in Calgary over the course of the summer. (Read more in their Action Plan.) To support the delivery of Leading by Example workshops, SASC reached out in partnership to Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA), the primary sexual harassment, sexual abuse and sexual assault crisis, counselling and education service provider for Calgary and the surrounding areas. Together our two organizations are in the process of delivering training to different cohorts, covering topics such as healthy masculinity, consent, the continuum of harm, and bystander intervention through interactive activities and discussions. We believe anti-sexual violence training is a powerful tool for creating social change. That said, for meaningful change to take hold, training needs to be reinforced by an ongoing, fulsome strategy within sports organizations to address sexual violence to shift rape culture within sports. As part of these efforts, governments, sports organizations, and corporations need to recognize the expertise of community-based sexual assault centres across Canada and fund them to provide training to local athletic organizations. If you are a representative from one of these groups, and want to be part of funding this work, please reach out to our Centre We know that men and boys, with their unique ability and responsibility, have an essential role to play as allies in the work to end sexual violence. We encourage our community to connect with us to learn how our Male Allies Program can support your group or organization. Finally, if you are a survivor of sexual violence in Waterloo Region, we are reaching out to you. You are not alone. Our 24-Hour Support Line is available anytime, night, or day at 519-741-8633. To learn more about our services, visit sascwr.org. For Ontarians seeking support outside of Waterloo Region, visit sexualassaultsupport.ca Kitchener, Ont. – In partnership with the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASC), Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region (WCSWR) is proud to announce two beds, one at each shelter, will be reserved for those experiencing sexual exploitation and trafficking
Funded by SASC, these beds will provide temporary emergency shelter to clients until they are able to access long-term housing support. Lack of access to a safe, emergency shelter is a major barrier for individuals exiting an exploitative situation, as many do not have a safe alternative. “Our Centre is thrilled to launch this partnership with Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region,” says Sara Casselman, Executive Director, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region. “We know access to safe and secure housing is a key component to ending the exploitation of women, girls, trans and non-binary folks who have been trafficked.” Using a trauma-informed, harm reduction, and intersectional feminist approach, SASC’s Anti-Human Trafficking Program provides wrap-around services to those experiencing sexual exploitation and those who are at risk within Waterloo Region. Services are free, confidential and non-judgmental. Those who enter WCSWR’s shelter through this partnership will be enrolled in SASC’s Anti-Human Trafficking Program. WCSWR operates two emergency shelters, Anselma House in Kitchener and Haven House in Cambridge. WCSWR empowers women and children to move beyond violence through the provision of safe shelter, educational resources and outreach services. Offering programs such as addictions support, music therapy and food and nutrition, WSCWR supports and cares for women at each step of their journey. The organization serves women and children 16+ from all cities and townships in Waterloo Region. “This partnership will provide a needed service,” says Jennifer Hutton, CEO, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. “It will provide safety for those experiencing exploitation and will provide a community approach to gender-based violence.” This partnership will particularly support those most likely to be targeted by traffickers: young women and girls, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and Racialized people. It is essential to wrap those most vulnerable to trafficking in community care. If you or someone you know is in need of this service, please contact the Anti-Human Trafficking Program at 519-571-0121 ext. 111 or email [email protected] from Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those needing service after hours can contact Victim Services of Waterloo Region at 519-570-5143. Media Inquiries: Carly Holmstead Communications and Fund Development Supervisor Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region [email protected] | 519-742-5894 ex. 2027 Human Trafficking Fact Sheet In Canada, the vast majority (96%) of victims of police-reported cases of human trafficking in 2019-2020 were women and girls. – Statistics Canada, 2022 Of these:
Local Facts:
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
July 2022
Categories |
Follow Us.
SIGN UP FOR OUR "FRONTLINES" NEWSLETTER
|
MAIN OFFICECAMBRIDGE Satellite Officethe Hub @ 1145, 1145 Concession Road, Cambridge, ON N3H 4L6
Charitable Registration Number: 132274093RR0001
© 2023-2024 Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region. All rights reserved. |