Sexual assault is one form of sexual violence. Sexual violence takes many forms and should not be dismissed or minimized. Sexual violence should not be tolerated and have clear consequences.
Anyone can experience this type of violence, no matter their age, race, gender, or background. Sexual violence most often occurs between people who know each other. It can happen between family members, friends, classmates, co-workers, people in romantic relationships, or strangers. Women, girls, and gender-diverse people are at higher risk of experiencing sexual violence. Indigenous women and other racialized minority groups are at an even higher risk of sexual violence.
As part of Sexual Assault Prevention Month, the Healthy Schools Team would like to highlight resources available for educators, students, and parents:
- Ophea's Gender-Based Violence Prevention Educator Resources have been developed to increase educators’ understanding of what it is, how to raise awareness and how it can be prevented through early education and honest classroom chats.
- Healthy Schools Prom 2023 toolkit with information on consent, the role of bystanders and how to make decisions to be safer.
- WECHU Youth and Relationship Violence webpage. There you will find refreshed links to resources and crisis lines. We encourage anyone who has experienced sexual violence to seek support.
Supports:
- Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex County: has a 24-hour crisis line, counselling, peer support and resources.
- Kids Help Phone: Provides free, confidential 24/7 counselling and information services for young people across Canada.