Read it today - Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre

SPRING 2015
Action Plan for Provincial Change
By Sonya Vellenga, Executive Director
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome to our spring edition of our newsletter! In our winter edition, I commented
on the package of initiatives introduced
by the provincial government. In advance
of International Women’s Day on March
8, 2015, Premier Wynne introduced a 13
point action plan that included the following:
6. Introduce legislation to mandate colleges and universities to adopt sexual
violence policies;
7. Strengthen supports for hospital-based
sexual and domestic violence treatment
centres;
8. Up-to-date training for health, community, education and justice sectors;
9. Stabilize and increase funding for community-based sexual assault centres;
• Tea & Talk Training
1. Legislation to strengthen provisions
related to sexual violence and harassment
in the workplace, on campus, housing and
through civil courts;
• Healing through Journaling and Walking
Meditation
2. Launch public education and awareness
campaigns;
11. Permanent roundtable for issues of violence against women;
3. Develop tools/best practices to support
compassionate response by law enforcement authorities;
12. Enhance workplace laws for employers to develop stronger sexual
harassment policies;
4. Develop an enhanced prosecution
model to improve survivors’ experience in
criminal justice system;
13. Launch a fund for Ontario artists to develop projects on “consent, rape culture and gender inequality.”
5. Update Health and Physical Education
curriculum to address healthy relationships
and consent;
This is an ambitious plan! How is it
unfolding? • Thank you for Drawing the Line
• Time to Have the Conversation
2014/15
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
President: Michelle Martin
Treasurer:
Martin Higgs
Secretary:
Phillip Redford
Directors:
April Aldridge Lauricella
Catherine McGrath
indi Miskolczi
Agata Wesolowski
Eden Maher
Joan Ivanov
Registered Charitable Number:
107837528 RR 0001
10. Pilot program for free legal advice to
sex assault survivors going to court;
Read more on Page 2
2
Action Plan cont’d...
Well….we have had conversations with our local postsecondary facilities to support the work they are doing on
campuses to increase safety. We have seen the new curriculum for primary and secondary schools. We understand that parents may have questions about the curriculum and we invite our readers to explore this resource for
more detailed information: http://news.ontario.ca/edu/
en/2015/02/ontario-releases-updated-health-physicaleducation-curriculum-parent-resources.html
The province launched a public education and awareness
commercial that invites you to take action and to step in
when someone is at risk. If you are interested in reading
more about this plan, visit our website or link to: https://
www.ontario.ca/document/action-plan-stop-sexual-violence-and-harassment
We also continue with our Status of Women project
exploring how we can make a difference locally in
responding to and preventing sexual violence here in
our community of Peterborough. If you are a survivor of
sexual violence and living in the four county region of
Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton and Kawartha
Lakes, please consider filling out our online survey to help
inform our national project.
Finally, the province has a Select Committee that is tasked
to make further recommendations to the Legislature with
the goal of improving the response to Ontarians who have
experienced sexual violence and harassment. If you wish
to make a submission, please visit the website for the
Legislative Assembly of Ontario or visit this link: http://
www.ontla.on.ca/web/committee-proceedings/committees_detail_mandate.do?locale=en&detailPage=mandate
&ID=7870
“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.”
At the Centre, we embrace this season of spring and the
hope it carries.
Thank You for Drawing
the Line in Community
On February 6, a community of artists shared their talents
in ‘drawing the line’ for the Centre. Over 14 artists and
12 businesses shared their work and support for this event
conceived by Comedian Kristal Jones. The “Drawing the
Line” evening entertained over 160 guests with great comedic work, poetry and song. The organizer of the event,
Kristal Jones, was able to donate her talents and more than
$1400 in proceeds from the event to the Centre. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the event with
the desire to make a difference in our community, including: Jocasta Boone, Sean Quinlan, Anne Shebib, Alex
and Jacques, Hanna Hogan, Jayson Down, Jeff Curtis, Will
Alexander, The Citiots, Kathleen Kendrick, Zara Syed, Wes
Ryan, James Higgins. As well, our appreciation to the
business sponsors: The Venue, The Pita Pit, Kristine Hannah Boudoir, Electric City Gardens, Peterborough Theatre
Guild, Glamazon Esthetics, Mikes Tattoo, Anywhere But
Here, Black Honey, The Spill, STRUTT Model and Talent
Agency, Sean Daniels Graphic Design, and KEGI Entertainment! The monies raised from this event will be used
to support our public education initiatives.
PHOTO BOTTOM LEFT: Thank you to the Trent Feminist
Society for expressing their views on consent and violence
against women during the opening night of 50 Shades of
Grey at Galaxy Cinemas. We enjoyed meeting these passionate advocates who offered viewers a critical view of the
films’ depiction of relationships.
PHOTO BOTTOM RIGHT: The Centre, in partnership with
Kawartha World Issues Centre, hosted an International
Women’s Day Celebration on Friday, March 6 at Seeds of
Change in Peterborough. This year’s event saw over 150 attendees learn more about the theme of ‘Mending The Gap in
Gender Equality’ through speakers and a panel discussion.
3
Giving back helps to shape passion for advocacy
By Krista Naylor, Centre Volunteer
I first reached out to the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre six years ago, during a difficult time in my life. The
counselor I worked with provided me with tremendous,
well-rounded care in a safe space where I could begin
to heal. I built nurturing relationships at the Centre with
people who helped me realize my own strength. Eventually, I felt I had worked through enough trauma from my
past to move forward beyond KSAC’s services. However, I was always welcomed back at the Centre to continue to
heal with my counselor’s guidance when I needed it.
While working on my Masters thesis, I applied to volunteer at KSAC for two reasons. KSAC provided me with
the best possible care and treatment when I needed it
most, so I knew it would be a great learning opportunity
to work with and learn from the amazing team of women
at the Center. Furthermore, I have always had a passion
for helping women who have experienced sexual assault,
abuse, or exploitation. KSAC played a large role in shaping how I continue to act on my passion.
I learned so much during my time at KSAC, as a client
and as a volunteer. I had the fortunate opportunity to
work with many inspiring women, including the volunteer coordinator, the public educator, the executive
director, fellow volunteers, and two amazing counselors,
each with their own unique set of skills and treatment
approaches. The relationships I built with the staff and
fellow survivors at KSAC have made me stronger and
continue to motivate me to pursue a career helping other
survivors.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Centre, please contact the Volunteer Services Coordinator, Lindsay Haacke, at [email protected] or 705-7485901.
Upcoming “Tea & Talk” training for Professionals
and Community Groups working with seniors
Attention Members of
Seniors Clubs & Groups
Healthy Relationships & Seniors
Are you a professional currently working with the aging population? Are you
looking for new innovative programming for your clients? Join us for training
on how to plan, implement, and facilitate conversations with seniors that
encourage healthy relationships.
Who is it for?
What will you receive?
How to Host Tea and Talk Discussion Groups
Are you a member of an informal community group for seniors?
Are you interested in hosting conversations about healthy
relationships and seniors?
Recreation Therapists
Tea and Talk Toolkit
Social Workers
Local Community Services
Information
Quick, easy tips on how to get your group started
Group Facilitation Training
Easy to use “Tea and Talk” toolkit provided
Outreach Workers
Anyone working with the
aging population
Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
United Way City of Kawartha Lakes
50 Mary St W, Lindsay ON
Register by April 17th. Contact Karen Basciano at [email protected] or
call 1-866-298-7778 between 9:00am and 4:30pm. Cost $20.00
Join us for a free workshop
Simple ideas to engage conversation
Information on local services available to seniors
Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
United Way City of Kawartha Lakes
50 Mary St W, Lindsay ON
Register by April 17th. Contact Karen Basciano at [email protected]
or call 1-866-298-7778 between 9:00 am and 4:30pm.
4
The Healing Qualities of
Journaling
The Benefits of Walking
Meditation
By Suzie Compeau, Counsellor
By Cheryl Wood, Expressive Arts Therapist
Journaling (or keeping letters or diaries) is an ancient tradition, one that dates back to at least 10th century Japan. The
act of writing accesses your left brain, which is analytical and rational. While your left brain is occupied, your
right brain is free to create, understand and feel. Writing
removes mental blocks and allows you to use all of your
brainpower to better understand yourself, others and the
world around you. The days are becoming longer, the weather is warming,
birds are returning to our trees and I can see a hint of
green in the brown grass. Going for a walk can be the perfect way to welcome spring. We often explore the art of journaling in counselling for
survivors of sexual violence. Journaling about traumatic
events helps one process them by fully exploring and
releasing the emotions involved, and by engaging both
hemispheres of the brain in the process, allowing the experience to become fully integrated in one’s mind.
Journaling will be most effective if you do it daily for about
20 minutes, with privacy if you want to write without censor and forget spelling and punctuation. You can focus on
a current stressor, negative belief, or use prompts, such as:
If I could talk to my younger self, one thing I would say?
Or write a letter to your future self or make a list of things
that make you smile.
Journaling allows people to clarify their thoughts and feelings, thereby gaining valuable self-knowledge. It’s also a
good problem-solving tool; oftentimes, one can hash out a
problem and come up with solutions more easily on paper,
allowing us to make better decisions, and focus on the
very things that support us in taking compassionate care of
ourselves and others.
Begin journaling and begin experiencing these benefits.
A walk sounds relaxing, but it can also become a chance
to mull over the issues of the day. I invite you to move
from the temptation to take work or family life with you on
your walk and turn your walk into a walking meditation.
Imagine your mind as a screen in the background. Let the
images play, but do not get captured or captivated by it. Let your mind run its show in the background while you
take your attention to your senses.
• What do you smell? Strolling along notice how smells
shift and change. Try not to analyze or judge the smell,
but experience it for its own sake.
• What do you hear? Try to imagine sounds as musical
notes to gather along your way. Allow these notes to
fill you.
• What do you feel? Can you sense the texture of the
walking surface beneath your feet or the wind on your
skin? How do your clothes feel against your skin as
you walk along?
• Practice looking far into the distance and then focusing
up close. Look at the clouds.
• Try to synchronize your breath to your footsteps.
These are all ways to practice moving from the thinking,
analytical mind to the sensing, feeling, body/mind. Any of
these practices are meditative and can give the busy mind
a rest, even if it is for a few seconds at a time. Observe
how you feel after. Happy Spring!
Public Education: It is time to have the conversation!
Did you know that 1 in 3 Canadian women will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. IT IS TIME FOR ONTARIO TO DRAW THE LINE.
Sexual violence is a reality in Ontario. It is present in every city and community across the province and impacts
the lives of our friends, family members and colleagues.
Sexual violence can and must be eradicated.
WHAT IS DRAW THE LINE? Sexual violence is a lot more than rape. It is everything
from sexist jokes to stalking, harassment and assault. All
these acts contribute to a culture that condones and supports sexual violence. To end sexual violence in Ontario,
we must not simply react to it but prevent it.
‘Draw The Line’ is an interactive campaign that aims to
engage Ontarians in a dialogue about sexual violence.
The campaign challenges common myths about sexual
violence and equips bystanders with information on how
to intervene safely and effectively through a series of
printed materials such as colourful posters and cards.
It is our hope that ‘Draw the Line’ will educate Ontarians
on how to spot sexual violence and empower them to
make a difference. Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre has
been providing Draw-The-Line materials to schools in
Peterborough, Northumberland, City of Kawartha Lakes
and Haliburton since 2012. If you are interested in joining the Draw the Line campaign, please contact Karen Basciano at 705-748-5901
ext 210 as well as [email protected] or check
out Draw-The-Line.ca.
Ontario’s newly
released action plan
against sexual violence
can be found at
http://www.ontario.ca/
document/action-planstop-sexual-violenceand-harassment
#WhoWillYouHelp
Upcoming Spring Events and Workshops
April to June
Support, Education, Empowerment, Developing Skills (SEED) is a 3-week psychoeducational workshop series for women on healing from sexual violence.
Session 1: Monday, April 27, May 4, and May 11, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Session 2: Thursday, June 11, June 18 and June 25, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Register at 705-748-5901.
Saturday, April 18 Volunteer Appreciation event to honour the KSAC volunteer journey by creating
walking sticks at the Centre, 11:00 am. Confirm your attendance with Lindsay.
Thursday, April 23 Tea & Talk Toolkit for Elder Abuse: Train-the-Trainer Events at the United Way City of
Kawartha Lakes, 50 Mary St. W., Lindsay
> Community Group Leaders: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
> Professionals Working with Seniors: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Tuesday, April 28
Volunteer Orientation at Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, 411 Water St., Suite 102
in Peterborough from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Please book your spot with
Lindsay Haake, Volunteer Coordinator, [email protected]
Friday, May 1
Sexual Assault Awareness Month “Wear Purple” No One Asks for It Campaign
Saturday, May 9
“For the Love of Mom” Chocolate Tea at McDonnel Street Activity Centre at
577 McDonnel St., Peterborough from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Book your table early to
enjoy an authentic High Tea, Chocolate Festival, String Trio and Mother’s Day Silent
Auction. Visit eventbrite.ca or call 705-748-5901 ext. 204 to reserve. Tickets $25.
Thank You
Volunteers
and Donors!
Tuesday, May 26
Turning on the Lights: The Science Behind Sexual Violence and Harassment Statistics
on Campus and in Community. A half day presentation at Fleming College from
8:30 am to 12:00 pm on building understanding and enhancing community collaboration by unpacking the data on sexual violence. Tickets $20 through eventbrite.ca.
In honour of Volunteer Appreciation Week, KSAC would like to take the time to recognize all
of our dedicated and passionate volunteers. To our Board of Directors, Peer Support and Crisis
Facilitators, Bingo Fundraisers, Admin Assistants, Placement Students, Champions and to all
those past and present who volunteer in other capacities, you continue to be a foundation of our
Centre and we want to THANK YOU for making a difference in so many ways.
To our donors, your gifts help the Centre offer important sexual violence prevention, crisis support, counselling, peer support and public education programs in the City of Peterborough and
the counties of Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton and Northumberland. Please
DONATE now online at CanadaHelps.org or call Sonya at 705-748-5901 ext. 203.
With Special Thanks to our Funders:
Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, 411 Water Street, Suite 102, Peterborough, Ontario K9H 3L9
Tel: 705-748-5901 Crisis Line: 705-741-0260 Toll Free: 1-866-298-7778
Visit us online at www.kawarthasexualassaultcentre.com, at Facebook and Twitter @ksacstaff