The Envision Counselling and Support Centre is marking Sexual Violence Awareness Week from May 17-21.
Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan (SASS) is taking the lead for this weeklong campaign and Envision is eager to take part.
This year’s theme is Champions for Children and focuses on creating a culture of belief around child sexual abuse in Saskatchewan. The primary audience for this campaign is community caregivers.
Community caregivers are individuals that are a part of the extended community that care for a child outside of the home, including neighbours, family, friends, babysitters, daycare workers, teachers or coaches.
“These are the people that cultivate close relationships with children in the community and this week is designed to support them,” said Christa Daku, executive director at Envision. “We want to help them recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse, learn how to create safe spaces for children and know how to respond to a child who discloses abuse.”
Understandably, this topic can leave many feeling helpless and devastated when faced with the harsh realities that children experience. According to the Government of Canada, one in two girls and one in six boys will experience some form of sexual abuse, assault or exploitation before the age of 21.
Daku said that only through collective efforts can society approach the magnitude and complexity of sexual violence, and find a way towards a future where it can be prevented before it happens.
“Child sexual abuse has varying degrees of impact on people’s lives,” Daku says. “We want to honour those who are directly affected and those who provide support for survivors of child sexual abuse, as well as recognize the importance of bringing education and awareness to this issue.”
This campaign aims to shift cultural attitudes and beliefs, dissolve myths and misconceptions and help with understanding a community member’s duty to report child sexual abuse.
Learn more on these topics and join the conversation with Envision Counselling on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and SASS on Facebook and Instagram.
