Red Dress Day

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Have you ever driven through a neighbourhood park or a wooded area and noticed red dresses mysteriously hanging in the trees? Or perhaps you’ve driven by a local shop or office window, and noticed a red dress hung about in the window and asked yourself, “What is the significance of these? What does it mean?”

In 2010, Metis artist Jaime Black created a public art installation in which she hung empty red dresses in an effort to promote awareness, and commemorate missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and two-spirit individuals. Appearing in exhibitions such as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (2019), and the Canadian Museum of Human Rights (2014); Jaime has said that through her art installation she hopes to “draw attention to the gendered and racialized nature of violent crimes against Aboriginal women.”[1].

For Black, each dress is meant to symbolize the life of a missing or murdered Indigenous woman or girl, and the stark and stunning visual representation of the empty, red dress is meant to evoke a visceral reaction in its observers and according to the artist, “to evoke a presence through the marking of absence”[2].

The ongoing support of Jaime’s project prompted the inception of Red Dress Day, which continues annually. On this day, individuals choose to wear red or to display a red dress to commemorate the lives and memory of the missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and two spirited individuals.

#reddressday #mmiwg #nomorestolensisters

[1] https://www.jaimeblackartist.com/exhibitions/

[2] https://www.jaimeblackartist.com/exhibitions/

Book of poetry speaks to healing journey

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Local artist and mental health advocate Sabrina Samuel has released a book of poetry with a portion of proceeds supporting CASASC.

The book She Was is inspired by Samuel’s healing journey, with each poem telling the story of incredible women along the path.

“The work illustrates our dynamic power, but also our humanity,” said Samuel. “Women are multi-dimensional. My hope for the book is that it will be an agent for positive change, celebration, collaboration and discussion. I’m deeply grateful for the help I received from CASASC, so I wanted to partner with them.”

The launch of She Was coincides with Sexual Violence Awareness Month (SVAM) in the month of May and leads up to Mother’s Day.

Samuel said all art is a response to something.

“When you use metaphor to address pain, you can reach people differently,” she said. “I understand fully that racialized women are the most vulnerable to abuse, harassment and assault. I don’t want to be a statistic. This work has shown me I’m owning more of my story each day by drawing strength from my feminine influences.”

She Was is available for purchase in-person at Cheeky Couture’s Boutique on Gasoline Alley, Housewarmings in downtown Red Deer, at the CASASC main office or by emailing surrenderliving@gmail.com

Copies are $20 each with 50 per cent of the proceeds supporting CASASC. A $5 delivery fee will be charged to orders outside of Red Deer.

She Was has been selected by Lloydminster and Vermillion for Equity’s Monthly Book Club for May 2 at 2 p.m. Samuel will also be a guest on Coffee Chat with CASASC on May 6 at 10:30 a.m. on CASASC’s Instagram page (@CASASC3).

Samuel is hosting the She Was Author’s Launch on Friday, April 30 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The launch will feature a reading, input from other readers, a Q & A segment, door prizes and giveaways.

For more information about She Was visit facebook.com/surrenderliving or www.surrenderliving.com

Readers are encouraged to participate in the She Was challenge by selecting a poem from the book and recording themselves reading it on Facebook or Instagram. Dedicate the post to a great woman and tag them to do the same. Tag @surrenderliving and use the hashtag #shewas to be entered into the challenge. The winner will be selected at the end of SVAM.

Join the conversation for the month by using the hashtag #SVAM for Sexual Violence Awareness Month. Help us eliminate sexual violence in our community by creating a culture of respect.

Support groups for LGBTQ2IA+ community launched

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Members of the LGBTQ2IA+ community who are healing from sexual violence will soon have some more support.

The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) in partnership with the Red Deer Queer Community Association (RDQCA) will be offering support groups for LGBTQ2IA+ youths and adult survivors next month.

The support groups will be facilitated virtually and will give members of the LGBTQ2IA+ community who are survivors of sexual violence an opportunity to feel accepted, heard and understood.

“Sexual violence can have psychological, emotional, and physical effects on any survivor regardless of race, religion, age, or gender,” said CASASC Executive Director Patricia Arango. “Overall, the survivor support groups allow young women and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals affected by sexual violence to discover new ways to cope and link with other survivors to develop a sense of community which survivors might be missing in their lives.”

Arango said the groups are designed to encourage individuals who have been affected by sexual violence to regain their voice in a space of healing.

“We are giving them the ability to take back their power,” she said.

Support groups have restorative effects to survivors as they create safe spaces where individuals feel comfortable not only expressing their feelings, but to talk about the impacts of sexual violence has on their lives. Individuals in the groups can begin to heal through support facilitated by RDQCA hosts and trained counsellors of CASASC.

“RDQCA is thrilled to be working with CASASC as the organization has always been a huge advocate for the LGBTQ2IA+ community,” said RDQCA Chairperson Rhys Pugatschew. “RDQCA hopes this group will help LGBTQ2IA+ folk find their community and heal together. Being a part of the community has never been easy and we hope this program will bring everyone together during this difficult time.”

The support groups are funded through the Fund for Gender Equality. The Fund for Gender Equality is supported by a collaboration between Community Foundations of Canada and the Equality Fund, with support from the Government of Canada.

The virtual group sessions launch next month with the adult group starting on May 6 at 5:30 p.m. and youth group starting May 8 at 2:30 p.m.

For more information or to sign up contact CASASC at 403-340-1124 or email reddeerqueercommunity@gmail.com

Find more info on RDQCA here 

Your 2021 Guide to Sexual Violence Awareness Month

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The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) is dedicated to supporting those affected by sexual violence each and every day of the year.

In Alberta, May is Sexual Violence Awareness Month (SVAM). The goal of SVAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it.

The theme of SVAM this year is Respect. We know that one month alone isn’t enough to solve the widespread issue of sexual violence; however, the attention we generate during the month is an opportunity to energize and expand prevention efforts throughout the year.

About Respect Month and the iRespect Campaign

SVAM is about more than awareness – the ultimate goal is prevention. This year’s theme centres around creating a culture of respect everywhere we go.

CASASC believes the best way to prevent sexual violence is through the concept of respect. The idea for Respect Month is based off of CASASC’s proactive campaign titled iRespect. The goal of iRespect is to encourage everyone to conduct their lives and treat one another with respect. In this, sexual violence, and violence in general, will be eliminated. This campaign focuses on awareness and creating positive changes, dispelling the negative connotations of “rape culture.”

By promoting respect for others, you promote respect for yourself which is the most important. Together, we can create a culture of respect.

Sexual violence needs to be addressed and a message of hope needs to be relayed to survivors. This is why we choose to take action through showing respect.

Key Messages: Sexual Violence and Prevention

 Sexual violence is a serious and widespread problem. Anyone can experience sexual violence in their lifetime, however most incidents occur against women and girls.

In Canada, 87 per cent of survivors are women and girls. Ninety-four per cent of offenders are men. Sexual violence is the most underreported crime in Canada. Ninety-five per cent of survivors do not report their assaults to the police.

Statistics also show that some groups are more likely to experience sexual violence including: Indigenous women and girls, children and adolescents, people with disabilities, those of the LGBTQ2IA+ community and new Canadians.

When we speak about prevention, we mean stopping sexual violence before it even has a chance to happen. This means changing the social norms that allow it to exist in the first place, from individual attitudes, values, and behaviors to laws, institutions, and widespread social norms. CASASC believes this is achieved through the concept of respect.

Prevention is all our responsibility. We can create and promote safe respectful environments through all facets of our lives. We can intervene to stop concerning behavior; promote and model healthy attitudes and relationships; promote the creation of a culture of respect; and believe survivors and assist them in finding the support they need.

How You Can Stay Involved All Month Long

Each week in May we’re featuring different ways you can get involved by promoting awareness and creating a culture of respect. Want to get involved? We’ve got you covered. We have an array of events and ways for you to participate in Respect Month. More details about each individual event will be released throughout the month.

 

Calendar of Events:

-May 1 – Launch of Respect Month

We are going to relaunch the iRespect campaign. Find out how you can take action and create a culture of respect wherever you go.

-May 10 and May 31 – iRespect Yoga

Join CASASC staff as they lead two virtual respect-themed yoga classes designed for all bodies and abilities. On May 10 tune in at noon for a 30-minute accessible work-breather session where you are. No mat required. Join us on May 31 at 7 p.m. for a hatha practice. The sessions will be hosted by CASASC on Instagram live. Preregistration is not required.

-May 7 and May 21 – Respect education social media takeover

Tune in to our social media accounts when the education team takes over to talk about creating a culture of respect and other sexual violence issues in our community.

-May 6 and TBA – Coffee Chat with CASASC

Our online coffee chat show will return with two featured guests during the month of May. Our first chat is set for Thursday, May 6 at 10:30 a.m. with Sabrina Samuel, author of She Was. The second chat date and guest will be announced soon.

-May 13 and May 19 – CASASC Services + Intro to Sexual Violence presentation

Curious about what services CASASC offers? Want to enhance your sexual violence education? The CASASC education team will be hosting two virtual presentations via Zoom. on May 13 at 10:30 a.m. and May 19 at 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Services + Intro to Sexual Violence presentation is a public awareness and education presentation that introduces and highlights definitions and concepts related to sexual violence. It provides an overview as well as disclosure support and of course, a birds-eye view of all services and programs available at CASASC.

-May 28 – Respect Day

Day of Action. Wear your #iRespect t-shirt or the colour teal on this day.

-May 29 – IRESPECT scavenger hunt (Postponed)

Hunt for giant letters hidden around Central Alberta. Win prizes, activities and more.

-May 9, May 16, May 23 and May 30 – iRespect Myself, iNourish My Body Recipe Series

Each Sunday watch for a new healthy recipe you can try at home.

 

Available all month long:

-iRespect colouring pages

Join Ressie the Respect unicorn and colour two pages. Ressie wants to know one thing you can do to show respect? Share with us your coloured pictures to be entered to win a special prize. Email education@casasc.ca to be entered into the draw.

-iRespect statement sign

Make your own Respect statement. Print out your own sign, tell us how/what you respect. Send in your statement signs to education@casasc.ca or tag us in our social media. Use the #iRespect hashtag.

-iRespect – MADE TO RESPECT t-shirts

Individuals are encouraged to wear the classic CASASC t-shirt throughout the month. T-shirts are available at the main office for a nominal donation. Sizes are limited. Post a selfie of yourself wearing the t-shirt and tag CASASC in social media. Use the #iRespect hashtag.

-iRespect playlist

Listen to a respect and empowerment playlist curated by CASASC staff.

Find these month-long offerings on the iRespect tab of the CASASC website https://casasc.ca/irespect/ launching May 1.

 

Checking your social media feeds anyways? Follow CASASC on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube where we will be sharing information, statistics, resources, graphics and videos for SVAM throughout the month of May. Share our posts, tag CASASC and encourage others to do the same.

 

Facebook: @CASASCRD

Twitter: @CASASC2

Instagram: @CASASC3

YouTube: Let’s Connect – CASASC

 

Hashtags: #iRespect, #SVAM, #cultureofrespect

CASASC partners with SkipTheDepot

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CASASC needs your bottles and cans.

We’re running a bottle drive on Friday, April 16. All you need to do is book a free home pickup through SkipTheDepot and place your bags outside on Friday morning.

All proceeds will be donated to CASASC and a tax receipt is even sent out.

Visit to sign up https://app.skipthedepot.com/casasc

SkipTheDepot is a door-to-door recycling and donation pickup service for charities. Visit the website or download the App from Google Play or Apple App Store to get started.

Sextortion and safety – Internet + Media Mini-edu Session

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The Education Team has a question from a parent regarding Internet use and an issue known as sextortion. Some of the topics in this question may be triggering or hard to read. Emotional safety is very important to the CASASC education team. We do feel the following question is important to answer. If you need any further support, you can reach out to our help line anytime at 1-866-956-1099.

Parent Question: Hi there, I have a question. My daughter is a teenager and is spending more time online. We as a family have talked about how to act and treat others online. I am not concerned about that. What I am concerned about is her getting in trouble with people asking for her images online. I remember the Amanda Todd case from years ago and I am worried that she may be tricked into a similar situation. How can I talk to my daughter about this, and make sure she is safe online?

CASASC Response:

The issue you are describing is sextortion. Sextortion is where someone (a peer or stranger) asks for a person’s nude images and then uses those images as blackmail in order to receive more images or money to stop the images from being leaked or sent out to loved ones. It is a rare, yet serious form of online violence that can happen to anyone regardless of gender. The Amanda Todd case you mentioned is a Canadian example of this issue and it unfortunately ended in her suicide.

Sextortion can happen with something as innocent as flirting or chatting online with a peer or stranger. Sometimes images are asked for outright or a person may be prompted to flash or expose themselves on a web camera. Then, the other person may take a screenshot from their computer or device, thus saving the image as blackmail material. This is known as “camming” and is what happened in Amanda’s case.

In Canada, under the Criminal Code, harassment, uttering threats and distributing images of someone who is under 18 is illegal and those found responsible can be charged. Sextortion involves blackmail and processing and/or distributing images of child pornography, both of which are illegal acts.

It is good to hear that you want to keep your daughter safe from being sextorted. Like cyberbullying or stalking, sextortion can have numerous mental, emotional and social consequences for the youth involved.

Online harassment can have detrimental effects that can last for a lifetime. Some effects include an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, self harm, loss of feeling safe, social anxiety, being isolated from friends and peers, etc. (1)

There are ways that you as the parent can help support and teach your daughter to avoid being put into a position where she could be sextorted. We have included the links to several websites as further resources.

You can teach your daughter to recognize the following warning signs when chatting with someone online as outlined by Cybertip.ca, a great resource for online safety.

Warning Signs:

1)Everything happens quickly

The other person either asks for images or videos outright, wants to speak on a web camera (through web functions like Zoom, Skype or Messenger) or starts asking for personal information that may be used against a youth later.

2)Chatting becomes sexual

This can be through jokes, innuendos, or regular chatting and flirting.

3)Attention Bombing

This essentially means making contact numerous times a day. This can be controlling behaviour masked as someone who is caring and attentive.

4)Using threats

This can be a way to make someone feel unsafe, embarrassed, or guilty, all in a way to make them comply with requests for images or to chat via web camera.

5)Provides inconsistent information

What they say vs. what they post, or share may be different. For example, a person online may say they are 15 years old, but the images they send appear to be of someone older. A person who uses sextortion against others may pretend they are younger, or pretend they are a different gender to receive images. For example, a man may pretend to be a younger girl to chat with boys online.

Red Flags:

If your child notices any of these red flags, it is important that they know they can come to you, or another trusted adult to talk about and report the issue. You as the parent must make sure you remain calm, open and listen to your daughter, so to not discourage her from coming to you with a future problem. Have her show you what is going on and try and document as much as you can. This includes any email addresses, online handles, usernames, location, contact information etc. Then, block this person and report to the police. Alberta RCMP have an Integrated Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) who investigate matters of online sexual exploitation in minors, including sextortion concerns.

If your daughter comes to you, and worries that she may have been a victim of sextortion, it is important to remember the following things:

1)Stay calm and do not panic

For both you and her. Your next steps are to document as much as you can and report it. This can be done through your local RCMP, or through CyberTip.ca, which does handle reporting of online harassment and sextortion.

2)Immediately stop all communication

This involves deactivation—not deleting—any accounts, and not logging in or checking to see if the person contacted you again. You can ask your daughter to show you how to deactivate an account, or the web platform’s help center may have more information.

3)Do not comply with any threats

This is important for any youth to know. They do not have to do anything they are uncomfortable with or feel may be harmful to them. If it makes them uncomfortable, they should log off and speak with a trusted adult.

Remember, it is never the youth’s fault, it is always the person’s fault for using threats and blackmail.

 

Additional Resources:

1) https://mediasmarts.ca/sites/default/files/guides/ywca-guide-for-trusted-adults.pdf

2) www.dontgetsextorted.ca

 

Lavish Paws Grooming sponsors Oscar

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CASASC is pleased to announce pet care company Lavish Paws Grooming is the official grooming sponsor of Oscar, CASASC pet therapy dog.

Lavish Paws Grooming will be giving Oscar the royal treatment including bathing, brushing, ear cleaning and nail care each month.

Lavish Paws Grooming is located in Gasoline Alley and provides full service pet grooming.

CASASC is thrilled by this sponsorship, which ensures Oscar’s grooming needs are met by a local company.

Stay tuned for updates on Oscar every two weeks.

Now Hiring Self-identified Indigenous Community Outreach Specialist

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The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) is seeking a self-identified Indigenous individual to join the Kinship Intervention Program (KIP) team as the Community Outreach Specialist.

About Us:

The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) is a voluntary, non-profit organization serving the Central Alberta region under the direction of a community-based Board of Directors.

We specialize in healing sexual trauma so you can talk freely about the hard stuff with no judgement. We provide a range of support services for individuals who are affected by sexual violence including counselling, play therapy, police and court support, crisis support and education.

Position: KIP Community Outreach Specialist

Accountability to: KIP Project Lead

Job Type: Full time

Location: Red Deer, Central Alberta

Anticipated Start Date: February 8, 2021

Position Summary

The KIP Community Outreach Specialist is a collaborative member of the KIP program who works in partnership with the KIP Project Lead to achieve the objective of the KIP project: the prevention of sexual assault incidents within the Indigenous juvenile population in Central Alberta. This involves evidence-based early intervention for issues including underlying childhood sexual behaviour concerns. The overall goal is to utilize a multi-system approach.

KIP Project Summary

The project address the following outcomes based on the CPAF terms and conditions:

Short term outcomes:

  • Early intervention
  • Safety/prevention planning
  • Increased life coping skills

Intermediate outcomes:

  • Improved parent-youth relationships
  • Developing self-regulation and relaxation skills in youth
  • Assisting youth identify a plan for successful management of non-reoffending

Long term outcomes:

  • Youth becoming responsible and productive citizens
  • Decrease the number of at-risk youth engaging in sexual abuse and/or delinquency
  • Increased parents’ skills and competencies to support their youth

Responsibilities:

  • Work collaboratively with the CASASC Education Team to develop educational resources and training materials for staff interacting with Indigenous youth their family and the school system on cultural sensitivity, Indigenous therapies and intercultural counselling methods.
  • Establish and enhance communication and partnerships with communities and key Elders in the communities.
  • Build relationships with Elders in surrounding communities for guidance on cultural approaches that may complement service delivery (ex: smudging, preparing the room prior to a therapy session).
  • Any other duties or tasks as assigned by the KIP Project Lead or CASASC leadership team.

Qualifications:

  • 2 years completed Post-secondary education OR
  • 2-5 years working experience in a related field.
  • Experience working with survivors of sexual abuse, sexual violence, domestic violence, and/or mental health will be considered an asset.

The KIP Community Outreach Specialist role is designated for a candidate who self-identifies as Indigenous, with a preference given to an Indigenous individual who has experience in Indigenous-based community needs and cultural practices.

How to Apply:

Email resume & cover letters to hr@casasc.ca. Please ensure your name and job title are included in the subject line. Attachments must be in either PDF or Word (.doc/.docx) format.

We thank all applications for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Application deadline: February 1, 2021 at 12:00 pm.

Rotary Club of Red Deer supports help line

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The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) recently received funding from the Rotary Club of Red Deer.

CASASC Executive Director Patricia Arango accepted the $5,000 grant funding from Rotary Club members during their virtual monthly meeting on January 11.

The grant awarded to CASASC supports the ongoing operation of the 24 Sexual Violence Text, Webchat and Phone Help Line.

The help line is a community-driven support line available to anyone within the community, anytime of the day, who is affected by sexual violence. Anonymous, confidential support, information and referrals are provided through this volunteer-driven help line. Whether you’ve recently experienced sexual violence, you are a friend of someone who has in the past, or you are a support person who has a question, trained volunteers are there to listen and support. They are here to connect with you where you are and empower you to your next steps towards healing. This line is available to anyone in need across Alberta.

The 24 help line provides around the clock support in real-time, assisting with immediate issues of stress, distress or triggers. During the pandemic the help line saw a substantial increase: in July 2020 the help line saw a 234% increase in demand for service compared to July 2019. A 90.3% increase for service was recorded from June 2020 to July 2020.

The funds from the Rotary Club were generated from the Annual Christmas Donation campaign. Four other community organizations in Red Deer also recieved funds.

 

Now Hiring Human Resources Specialist

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Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the leadership team, as the HR Specialist you will manage the day-to-day operations of the human resource department, as well as the administration of the human resources policies, procedures, and programs. The HR Specialist is responsible for employee relations, training and development, benefits, compensation, organizational development, and hiring/recruitment.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Recruiting and staffing logistics
  • Organizational and space planning
  • Performance management and improvement systems
  • Organization development
  • Regulatory compliance and reporting
  • Employee orientation, development, and training
  • Policy development and documentation
  • Employee relationship management
  • Management-employee relations
  • Compensation and benefits administration
  • Employee safety, welfare, and wellness education

The ideal candidate would possess the following qualifications, however some equivalencies may be considered:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources, or a relevant field
  • A minimum of 3 years’ proven experience in a similar role
  • CPHR designation or Candidate status working towards designation
  • Understanding of general human resources policies and procedures
  • Strong knowledge of the Alberta Employment Standards Code and Canadian labour laws and legislation
  • Outstanding knowledge of MS Office
  • Experience with HRIS systems (e.g. PeopleSoft)
  • Excellent interpersonal and people skills
  • Aptitude in problem-solving and conflict management
  • Good understanding of the full recruitment process
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong knowledge of labour legislation and payroll processes
  • Knowledge and experience with the world of non-governmental organizations would be an asset to consider.
  • Candidates will also have to undergo a Criminal Record Check, must have a valid driver’s license with valid and satisfactory driver’s abstract as well as standard first aid with CPR “C” and AED.

Qualified applicants should apply by sending resume and cover letter to parango@casasc.ca

CASASC is an equal opportunity employer, that values diversity of people and communities, and are committed to excellence and inclusion in our organization and as such we welcome applications from all qualified individuals.

*Only those applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. CASASC is committed to providing barrier-free environment and accommodation in accordance with the Accessibility of Alberta with Disabilities Act. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise Human Resources if you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process.

*This competition may be used to fill future vacancies.

Application deadline: Wednesday August 17, 2022 @ 4 p.m.