Education Learning Series 2023

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NEW – Foundations of Consent and Healthy Relationships (45 min)
Join us for a 45min workshop – participant conversations and interactions are encouraged – as we explore the foundation of consent for sexual activity through discussions on healthy relationships. A basic overview helping participants connect the dots between how we act in healthy friendships and how we use day-to-day permission to healthy intimate partner relationships and consent for sexual activity.

Consent laws and ages of consent as they apply to Alberta, Canada will be discussed.

FREE, Register here

Dates:

March 1, 11:00 – 11:45am MST

March 1, 3:00 – 3:45pm MST

 

What happens on a 24/7 Sexual Violence Helpline? (45 min)

Join us for an informal session about operating and volunteering on a 24/7 Sexual Violence Helpline.

Supported by volunteers with the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, and available by phone, text and webchat to anyone in Alberta, Canada. The help line provides support to anyone impacted by Sexual Violence (direct or indirect) and is a resourcing and support service.

Use this opportunity to learn about the helpline and how you can utilize it in your community/workplace. Hear what it takes to volunteer on a help line. Help us share this free resource out to our Alberta community. We are here for you, we care!

FREE, Register here

Dates:

Tues, March 14 – 6:00 – 6:45pm MST

Tues, April 18 – 6:00 – 6:45pm MST

 

“Ask an Expert” Parenting + Sexualized Behaviour conversations with our clinical expert (60 min)

Join us for an informal session with our Child Therapist. Learn information related to parenting and supporting children and youth who display concerning sexualized behaviours.

OR maybe you want to join us to discuss a situation or behaviour your child is engaging in and get some advice on what is developmentally appropriate, how to support and respond etc.

Use this opportunity to connect with our counsellor for those unique and one-off questions that you may have but don’t want to go through our client wait list process to speak with a counsellor.

FREE, Register here

Dates:

Thurs, March 30 – 4:00 – 5:00pm MST

Thurs, April 27 – 4:00 – 5:00pm MST

 

Supporting Disclosures (45 min)
This session will help to enhance our skills and knowledge around supporting disclosures of sexual violence. An overview of the fundamentals of responding to and supporting disclosure of sexual assault and abuse from children, youth and adults. Learn some key messages and legal obligations when it comes to reporting child abuse.

FREE, Register here

Dates:

Fri, Mar 24 – 12:00 – 12:45pm MST

Wed, Apr 26 – 3:00 – 3:45pm MST

 

Services & Programs at CASASC (30 min)
Join us for a short 30min session overviewing the programs and services available at the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre.

You’ll never know you need us, until you do!

FREE, Register here

Dates:

Fri, Mar 10 – 11:30-12:00pm MST

Thurs, Apr 6 – 9:30-10:00am MST

 

Introduction to Sexual Violence (60 min)
Do you want to enhance your knowledge around sexual violence education? Join us as we present an Introduction to Sexual Violence. This presentation is a public awareness and education presentation that introduces, and highlights, definitions and concepts related to sexual violence. We will discuss dispelling myths and stereotypes, talk about victim blaming, and the realities of sexual violence.

FREE, Register here

Dates:

Mon, Mar 6, 3:00-4:00pm MST

Fri, Apr 21, 9:00-10:00am MST

NEW – Ending Workplace Sexual Harassment Training

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Engagement Strategies Toward Ending Workplace Sexual Harassment

Dates:

Thursday, February 23 from 9:00am – 12:00pm
Friday, April 14 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Registration access by emailing education@casasc.ca

 

This is not your average anti-harassment training – An innovative online workshop to help us understand, respond to, and prevent sexual harassment

This three-hour, interactive, online learning opportunity is not your average workplace sexual harassment training. Facilitated by the Education team at the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC).

Research informed and using best practices for adult online learning, this workshop will explore what sexual harassment is (and isn’t), what it costs us, interpersonally and collectively, and, how to help stop sexual harassment as someone who:
• Witnesses someone sexually harassing others,
• Is told about someone else’s sexual harassment,
• Is told they have done something that might amount to sexual harassment, and,
• Is in a position of leadership and responsible for a safe and healthy workplace

COST

$75/participant
$50/participant for #momentsmatter campaign partners – if this is you let us know at education@casasc.ca and we’ll send you another ticket access link (for information on becoming a #momentsmatter campaign partner click here )

GROUPS
Groups of ten or more people receive a 20% discount. If you would like to register as a group, please email us directly at education@casasc.ca or call 403-309-1680

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
• This training is conducted via Zoom and includes polls and chat discussion participation
• Prior to attending please ensure that you have downloaded the most current version of zoom
• You will need a laptop or desktop with speakers or headphones. A smartphone will NOT allow you to participate fully.
• We encourage each participant to log on from their own computer (as opposed to multiple participants sharing one computer) to ensure the best experience and participation in the training discussion and polls.
• It is important to use a secure internet connection rather than public/free Wi-Fi.

CERTIFICATE POLICY
A certificate of Completion will only be issued to participants who attend the workshop in full. Attendance is logged through Zoom as proof of complete attendance. Participants need to sign in on time, identify their registered name, attend the entire training, and complete the course evaluation. Certificates will be issued via email following the training session.

Executive Director Awarded Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal

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Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) Executive Director Patricia Arango was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal on December 16.

Arango was awarded the commemorative medal along with Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) CEO Mark Jones during a lunch hour ceremony held at the CACAC’s office.

Both medal recipients received the recognition from Minister of Education Adriana Lagrange. Arango was awarded the medal for her involvement with the development of the Centre of Excellence and her dedication to working towards eliminating sexual violence in the community.

Arango has been the Executive Director of CASASC since 2016.

During the ceremony, after receiving the medal, Arango told the crowd filled with CASASC staff, the medal was not hers alone. She stated “this medal is really for all of you.”

The Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal will be awarded to 7,000 Albertans throughout 2022 in recognition of significant contributions to the province.

The medal was created to mark the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Platinum Jubilee Medal program is continuing as planned despite the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and will conclude on February 5, 2023.

Monthly update – CASASC Connections – December

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Welcome back to CASASC Connections. This is a space where we provide updates on our services, programs and all things CASASC for the month of December.

 

Need for online + virtual volunteers – email ewillmer@casasc.ca

We are in need of volunteers to join the 24/7 help line, with shifts available through the phone and text/webchat.

We are looking for volunteers who can take one or two shifts a month with our helpline. Evening and weekend support is a bonus.

Using an eight-hour shift-based schedule the help line volunteers provide a listening ear, supportive conversation and resource referrals to children, youth and adults who are in need of support. Previous education and training are not needed. Seeking respectful, caring and supportive individuals.

 

24/7 Sexual Violence Help Line

1-866-956-1099

www.casasc.ca

Call, text or webchat – We provide 24/7 confidential and anonymous support and a friendly conversation with the end goal being information, support and referrals.

 

Holiday Office Hours

Our office will be closed from Friday, December 23 to Sunday, January 1. We will re-open in the New Year on Monday, January 2nd.

 

Thank You

November was Family Violence Prevention Month (FVPM) and we’d like to thank everyone who participated in some way throughout the month. If you shone purple lights, shared a message of support, wore purple on November 25 – thank you.

A big thanks also to our community partners who shared their support on our collaborative DRVIC (Domestic Relationship Violence Initiative Committee) promotion poster – Soroptimist, Purple Light Nights, The City of Red Deer, IMPACT Central Alberta Regional Vision for Non-Violence, Outreach Centre, Red Deer City Victim Services Unit.

 

Out in the Community

November 25 – December 10: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On this day we remember the 14 women murdered at Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal in 1989 and all victims of gender-based violence.

December 10: International Human Rights Day

  • Join CARE for Newcomers for their Human Library from 2-4pm at the Blackfalds Library as the hold interactive conversations with local Newcomers. They will share their culture and immigration experiences to help community connect with them and their journeys.

 

CASASC in the Media

Segment on CASASC Help Line on CTV Edmonton (Aired Nov. 11) https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2561684

“Calls to Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre help line surges” Red Deer Advocate (Nov. 8) https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/calls-to-central-alberta-sexual-assault-support-centre-help-line-surges/

“Record number of calls to help line run by Sexual Assault Support Centre” rdnewsNow (Nov. 8) https://rdnewsnow.com/2022/11/08/record-number-of-calls-to-help-line-run-by-sexual-assault-support-centre/

 

Virtual Learning Series

Our monthly learning series continues in December in its current format. Stay tuned for 2023 dates and changes.

If you would like to see a learning series program added to our list, or have some topics of interest please let us know as we look to bring the most up-to-date and relevant programming to our communities email education@casasc.ca

 

What happens on a 24/7 Sexual Violence Helpline (45min)

CANCELLED – Tue, Dec 13 @ 6-6:45 pm MST

 

Ask the Expert – Parenting and Sexualized Behaviour Support (60 min)

Wed, Dec 21@ 4-5 pm MST

Visit the link for session dates and times and to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/306744500057

 

Services + Programs at CASASC (30 min)

Mon, Dec 5, 12:00-12:30 pm MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305069279427

 

Introduction to Sexual Violence (60 min)

Tues, Dec 6, 9-10 am MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305057193277

 

Supporting Disclosures (45 min)

Mon, Dec 12, 12-12:45 pm MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305060773987

 

Consent 101 (60 min)

Tues, Dec 20, 9:00-10:00 am MST

Tues, Dec 20, 11:00am-12:00pm MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305082248217

 

A Season of Giving

We’ve launched our first holiday gift giving campaign.

We know that during this holiday time of year community members often reach out and support causes close to their heart.

Sexual violence impacts a large portion of our population. As individuals who have been targeted by the violence or as individuals who know of and support others who have been impacted.

Help give Central Albertans affected by sexual violence a voice and a choice on their healing journey.

Donate to our Season of renewal, empowerment, healing, giving through scanning the QR code or clicking the link

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/central-alberta-sexual-assault-centre/campaign/a-season-of-giving/

 

Engagement Strategies Toward Ending Workplace Sexual Harassment workshop

Starting in the new year, CASASC will be offering (by request) an innovative 3-hour online workshop, proven to build the skills that help people understand, respond to, and prevent workplace sexual harassment.

Available for business, workplaces, and organizations.

All staff our encouraged to attend and require their own computer/technology device.

This program is by request only and will open up booking in the new year.

$75 per person or $50 per person if your organization has signed on to the #momentsmatter campaign

Connect with us at education@casasc.ca for more details.

 

First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training

January 24 and 25, 2023

9:00 am – 5:00 pm MT

Calgary, Alberta

Join us for FRT training – Facilitated by a member of our CASASC team.

Early bird cost available to those who register by November 15.

Registration Required

$299 after Nov 15, 2022

Register at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/associationofalbertasexualassaultservices/752612/

This comprehensive training is intended to build the capacity of professionals, paraprofessionals, and community members to respond effectively to disclosure of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment from children and adults. Training covers the full continuum of topics related to sexual violence across the lifespan.

2022 Front Line Service Providers’ Awards

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The CASASC team attended the 2022 Front Line Service Providers’ Awards on Nov. 28 at the Red Deer Resort and Casino.

The 18th annual awards ceremony, hosted by the Domestic and Relationship Violence Committee (DRVIC), is a time for front line service providers to come together to recognize each other and the meaningful work being done within these communities.

CASASC Crisis Support and SART Manager Erin Willmer was nominated for a Front Line Service Providers’ Award for working collaboratively with her colleagues and community partners as a compassionate leader, support and community connector.

“Erin is compassionate and caring and exemplifies respect, knowledge and leadership. She advocates for clients and those impacted by sexual violence and places their needs at the highest priority. Erin wears multiple ‘hats’ within her roles as a manager, front line responder, volunteer coordinator, team lead etc. and is excellent at switching between these roles in appropriate and knowledgeable ways.”

“Empowering victims on their next steps, Erin leads with compassion, care and respect.”

CASASC would like to congratulate all of the nominees and recipients at this year’s award ceremony.

What I Was Wearing When It Happened

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A powerful window exhibit has been set up in downtown Red Deer to address victim blaming. In recognition of Family Violence Prevention Month, the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) has set up What I Was Wearing When It Happened, a reflection exhibit along Ross Street.

The purpose of the exhibit is to bring awareness to the issue of victim blaming and the stigma surrounding individual’s clothing as the reason they were sexually assaulted.

The window exhibit features powerful statements paired with various types of clothing victims were wearing at the time they were assaulted. This is meant to be a real-life representation, a visual way to bring awareness around the still existing stigma.

This is the third year for the reflection exhibit. CASASC has hosted the exhibit previously on International Women’s Day. In 2018, the exhibit was hosted at Parkland Mall featuring over 300 pairs of shoes, each representing an Alberta woman who was missing or murdered. The shoe exhibit encouraged people to reflect on the lives of those women.

In 2019, CASASC partnered with the Students’ Association of Red Deer Polytechnic (S.A.) and two third-year BScN students of RDP for a similar exhibit featuring live mannequins. The exhibit was thought-provoking and interactive.

This year the exhibit is on display as a partnership between CASASC, the John Howard Society of Red Deer and the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic.

What I Was Wearing When It Happened will be on display in the front windows facing Ross Street at 4916 50 Street until November 30. Viewers can easily peruse the window display from the sidewalk.

A Season of Giving

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We are excited to launch of A Season of Giving campaign, a first for CASASC.
You can play an important role in supporting a survivor’s journey of renewal, empowerment and healing this season.
Find more info and to donate here on our campaign page on CanadaHelps: https://www.canadahelps.org/…/campaign/a-season-of-giving/

Consent – A short, yet impactful word

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By Kailee Burkinshaw

Consent – A short, yet impactful word

What is one of the first things you think of when you hear the word “consent?”

Is it the term “no means no?” What about consent or permission forms from when you were in school? Or when it involves social movements such as the #MeToo hashtag? Consent can be all of these things and more.

Consent is a term that has always been around, but it may not have been as widely talked about as it appears to be now in our news, media, classrooms or virtual worlds. This is why it is important to understand consent and what it involves. Knowing more about consent creates a more informed, respectful and safe world, for reasons this blog post will discuss.

When someone is talking about consent, it begins as an agreement between two people or groups that they want to do something together. Everyone can say “yes” in the agreement, especially after they know what they are agreeing to do. Someone can say “no” in the agreement too.

Framing consent this way can put into perspective how we have all been practicing consent our entire lives.

Have you ever asked a friend to hang out with you? Asked a colleague if you can eat lunch with them? Asked someone out on a coffee date? Indicated to someone you liked that you wanted to hold their hand or kiss them?

If you have said “yes” to any of these questions, then you have been practicing consent.

Continuing to seek someone’s consent and have other people respect your choices when it comes to consent, is the cornerstone of creating healthy, respectful relationships in our lives.

The CASASC education team has regular conversations in our Central Alberta community about consent and healthy relationships. To learn more about these conversations and opportunities, you can reach out to the team at education@casasc.ca.

What is involved with consent?

Consent can start with a simple “yes” or “no” question. Consent can involve letting someone know all of their options when it comes to settings in the medical field, higher education or the workplace.

We have consent in our friendships, within our families and with our dating partners. From high fives, to hugs, and all the way up to and including all forms of sexual activity, we need to practice and be receptive to consent.

But how do we get consent? How do we know we are receiving the right signals for consent? And do we have to be crystal clear every time we ask for consent?

When asking for consent, there needs to be the following considerations:

  1. How well do you know this person? Is it your first time meeting them, or have you known them a long time? What sort of relationship do you have with them? Do you know what sort of activities they are comfortable with?
  2. How does the other person express a “yes” or “no” with their words or actions? Can you yourself recognize them?
  3. Does the person you are asking know all of what they are agreeing to?
  4. Is the person you are asking consent from in an alert, sober, conscious and sane state of mind to understand what you are asking of them?

When we reflect on our relationships with other people, and the sort of agreements we have with them because of our relationship to them, we can better understand how asking for and receiving consent will work with them.

Consent- Easy as FRIES and OYMY

Consent needs to be enthusiastic, specific and informed. It also needs to be reversible—someone can say “yes” but can say “no” later if they change their mind—and freely given. We do not force someone to say “yes.” Rearranging these words can give us the term FRIES, an easy way to remember the parts of consent.

Another way to remember consent is with the term “Only Yes Means Yes.” CASASC has adapted this term into a series of posters under the “Only Yes Means Yes (OYMY)” campaign. More information on the campaign can be found here: https://casasc.ca/only-yes-means-yes-when-it-comes-to-consent/. If you are interested in posters for your business or organization, you can reach out to CASASC’s EDU Team at education@casasc.ca.

Consent is an everyday practise and can be a way to honor and show respect and safety in our relationships and community.

Kailee Burkinshaw is a prevention educator with the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre.

Monthly update – CASASC Connections – November

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Welcome back to CASASC Connections. This is a space where we provide updates on our services, programs and all things CASASC for the month of November.

 

Need for online + virtual volunteers – email ewillmer@casasc.ca

We are in need of volunteers to join the 24/7 help line, with shifts available through the phone and text/webchat.

We are looking for minimum of five volunteers who can take one or two shifts a month with our helpline. Evening and weekend support is a bonus.

Using an eight-hour shift-based schedule the help line volunteers provide a listening ear, supportive conversation and resource referrals to children, youth and adults who are in need of support. Previous education and training are not needed. Seeking respectful, caring and supportive individuals.

 

Community Connections

If you are aware of any community events or booths (across Central Alberta) that we could attend throughout the year, please share with us at education@casasc.ca

Our presence at events is informative and awareness-based, educational, interactive and applicable for all audiences and ages. We do not talk about sexual health or sex education and can adapt our messaging to need topics or programs and services.

 

November is Family Violence Prevention Month

In Alberta, November is Family Violence Prevention Month (FVPM). The goal of FVPM is to raise public awareness around family violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it. Use the colour purple to show your support all month long.

Visit our webpage to stay updated on all we have going on all month

Shine Bright – Purple is the colour of choice for Family Violence Prevention Month. Show your support by sporting purple lights and decorations throughout the month. Turn on those purple Christmas lights early, buy a purple light bulb for your porch light or get your workplace to shine purple.

November 25  – Purple Day of Action

Mark your calendar for November 25 and plan to wear purple. Join us as we wear purple and celebrate a Family Violence Prevention Day of Action with our communities.

Re-share Awareness

One of the most impactful and effective ways to show your support this November is to re-share and like messages on social media. Help organizations like CASASC to spread awareness far and wide about preventing family violence.

Start a conversation

There are so many ways to get involved:

-Start conversations with family and friends, let them know you are there to support them, show them you care

-Dispel myths about family violence

-Donate to a family violence prevention organization

Join in the action

Participate in one or more of our suggested social action activities. Complete them on or by November 25 and celebrate your successes with us.

-Kids/Teens – Make a card with a kind message for someone who you are grateful for (bus driver, librarian, teacher, counsellor, family member). Tell them how much you care about them or thank them for something nice they have done.

-Kids/Teens – Do something nice for a family member, sibling, cousin etc.

-Family – Do an activity together, something you’ve never done before or a game you all enjoy

-Family – Do an activity for each letter of the word P-U-R-P-L-E (ex. For the first P – go to the Play ground, U …, R – eat some red candy etc.)

-Adult – Do something fun/spontaneous with a friend – go for coffee, show them you care and are there to support them. Reach out to a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.

-Create a safety plan, just like how we should have a safety plan in place for a natural disaster (even though we may never need it), we should have a safety plan in place for if we ever are in a place of harm/discomfort.

 

November editions of our online learning series

What happens on a 24/7 Sexual Violence Helpline (45 min)

Monday, Nov 28 @ 6-6:45 pm MST

Visit the link for session dates and times and to register:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/390733202527

 

Ask the Expert – Parenting and Sexualized Behaviour Support

Wed, Nov 30 @ 4-5 pm MST

Visit the link for session dates and times and to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/306744500057

 

Services + Programs at CASASC (30 min)

Thurs, Nov 10, 9:30-10:00 am MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305069279427

 

Introduction to Sexual Violence (60 min)

Tues, Nov 8, 10-11 am MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305057193277

 

Supporting Disclosures (45 min)

Mon, Nov 21, 11-11:45 am MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305060773987

 

Consent 101 (60 min)

Fri, Nov 18, 3-4 pm MST

Tues, Nov 29, 9-10 am MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305082248217

 

First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training

January 24 and 25, 2023

9:00 am – 5:00 pm MT

Calgary, Alberta

Join us for FRT training – Facilitated by a member of our CASASC team.

Early bird cost available to those who register by November 15.

Registration Required

$250 before Nov 15, 2022

$299 after Nov 15, 2022

Register here

This comprehensive training is intended to build the capacity of professionals, paraprofessionals, and community members to respond effectively to disclosure of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment from children and adults. Training covers the full continuum of topics related to sexual violence across the lifespan.

 

Celebrating one year of the Only Yes Mean Yes Consent Campaign

November 4 marks one year of Only Yes Means Yes consent campaign out in the community.

Need a poster refresh or would you like some business card sized information for public? Let us know and we’re happy to share with you.

OYMY changes how we look at and understand consent. It focuses on positive consent in which only affirmative consent matters.

Read more about the poster campaign and how to get involved here

 

 

Family Violence Prevention Month 2022

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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, November is Family Violence Prevention Month (FVPM). The goal of FVPM is to raise awareness around family violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it.

 

What is Family Violence:

Family violence is when someone uses abusive behaviour to control and/or harm a member of their family, or someone with whom they have an intimate relationship.

Family violence includes many different forms of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as neglect carried out by family members or intimate partners. It may include a single act of violence, or a number of acts that form a pattern of abuse. Family violence can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences for victims and for those who see or hear the violence.

Family violence can happen to people of all ages, abilities, cultural and spiritual backgrounds, gender identities and sexual orientations. Victims can be in romantic relationships, divorced, children (birth, step, adopted or foster), grandparents, or individuals with guardians or caregivers.

 

Impacts:

Rates of family violence increase during and following natural disasters, public health crises and economic downturns. It is important to know where you can turn if you are experiencing family violence.

With the added stress and time together caused by COVID-19, families with unhealthy relationships are more likely to experience child sexual violence.

Isolation is a risk factor for family violence. Many people who experience family violence use their support of friends and family to manage their situation.

 

How You Can Stay Involved All Month Long:

Throughout November we’re featuring different ways you can get involved by promoting awareness. Want to get involved? We’ve got you covered. We’ve created custom Purple Day graphics for you to share, tweet and tag CASASC throughout the month, along with many other resources and events:

-Purple ribbons – Small silk purple ribbons will be available at both CASASC locations throughout the month. Wear the purple ribbon in unity to show survivors of family violence that they are not alone.

-Download the Purple Day poster here

-Download the Purple Day social image here

 

Presentations:

For the month of November CASASC is offering several virtual presentations on a variety of topics relating to sexual violence. All presentations are facilitated on Zoom and vary in length 30 mins to 60 mins.

Introduction to Sexual Violence (November 8)

Services & Programs at CASASC (November 10)

Consent 101 (November 18 and November 29)

Supporting Disclosures (November 21)

What Happens on a 24/7 Sexual Violence Helpline? (November 28)

Ask an Expert – Parenting & Sexualized Behaviour Conversations with our Clinical Expert (November 30)

 

Events:

-Education Social Media Takeover – Friday, November 18th

On this day our education team will be hosting a takeover of CASASC’s social accounts. They will be answering questions throughout the day and will feature resources and information about programs and several topics. Make sure to tune in.

-Purple Day – Day of Action – Friday, November 25

Wear purple on this day to bring awareness to family violence. We will provide suggestions on how you can take action in your community. Show us your purple by sporting your purple #iRespect t-shirt, the purple ribbon or other purple items. This is day marked by the Central Alberta community to show support for those affected by family violence.

 

Take action – Action items for Family Violence Prevention Month

Kids/Teens – Make a card, note, or message for someone who you are grateful for (bus driver, librarian, teacher, counsellor, family member) and give it to them with a big smile and a thank you. Tell them how much you care about them or thank them for something nice they have done.

Kids/Teens – Do something nice for a family member, sibling, cousin.

Family – Do an activity together, something you’ve never done before or a game you all enjoy.

Family – Do an activity for each letter of the word P-U-R-P-L-E (ex. For the first P – go to the play ground, U – go for a walk to find the underside of a bridge, R – eat some red candy….)

Adults – Do something fun/spontaneous with a friend – go for coffee, show them you care and are there to support them.

Reach out to a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Send that text.

General – Create a safety plan. Just like how we should have a safety plan in place for a natural disaster (even though we may never need it), we should have a safety plan in place for if we ever are in a place of harm/discomfort.