TELUS supports No Secrets education program

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The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) recently received a donation from the TELUS Payday Lottery Committee for the No Secrets education program.

CASASC Executive Director Patricia Arango (left) accepted the $5,000 donation from TELUS Representative Marlene Duce (right) on April 13.

No Secrets is a personal safety program for children ages 5 to 9 with a focus on child sexual abuse prevention. No Secrets provides a forum from which children can discuss safe and unsafe touching, body parts including private areas, feelings and who you can tell.

The donation to the Kindergarten to Grade 4 sexual violence prevention program will be used towards program materials.

CASASC awarded with Inspiration Award

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The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) is the recipient of a provincial award recognizing leadership in sexual violence prevention.

CASASC team members attended the Inspiration Awards ceremony for Edmonton, central and northern Alberta at Government House in Edmonton on April 4.

A total of nine Inspiration Awards were presented by the Ministry of Community and Social Services to individuals and groups who demonstrated excellence in the areas of public education on healthy relationships, working across sectors to address violence and partnering with Alberta’s diverse communities.

The awards were presented by Irfan Sabir, Minister of Community and Social Services and Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ron Orr was also in attendance.

CASASC received its’ group leadership award for offering innovative and comprehensive programs and services.

“They educate, support and empower individuals, families and communities regarding all aspects of sexual abuse and sexual assault,” said Ken Dropko, Executive Director of Family and Community Services in the Ministry of Community and Social Services during the ceremony. “They have created quality education programs, Culture of Respect principles with the IRespect campaign, and the Family Intervention Program. Other services include their one-on-one, group, pet and play therapy, the 24 Hour Crisis Line for Web/Text/Phone and the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).”

CASASC volunteer, educator and SART member Shalea Harder-Mah also received an Inspiration Award for leadership in sexual violence prevention – emerging excellence.

Harder-Mah was recognized for her passion in helping other affected by sexual violence.

“Shalea started the first Red Deer College Sexual Assault and Abuse Awareness Group and has managed the group ever since,” said Dropko. “In 2016, the group received special recognition from the Student’s Association of Red Deer College for their work…Shalea volunteers for several other crime prevention organizations and believes in building healthy and positive relationships.”

Other award recipients on April 4 included the Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre, the Cold Lake High School’s Best Buddies program and Fossey, the Zebra Child Protection Centre service dog.

“Albertans have always stood up for their neighbours and worked together to support those in need,” said Sabir. “The Inspiration Awards recognize community leaders who set an extraordinary example to support those affected by violence and abuse. These awards are a way our government can say thank you for their efforts to make life better for all Albertans.”

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Opinion: No grey area when it comes to sexual assault

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BY SARAH MAETCHE

Sexual misconduct.

There, I said it. This is a term we are hearing a lot lately, in the media, around the coffee table, even in the House of Commons.

But, what does it actually mean?

Here are a few examples of some of the headlines sweeping our news stream today on this topic: “Zero tolerance on sexual misconduct for UCP MLAs, Jason Kenney says,” “Complaints against two former RCMP doctors accused of sexual misconduct hit 80,” and “Trudeau says zero tolerance on misconduct toward women applies to him as well.”

How about a definition?

Elaine Craig, of the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, words it as this: “Sexual misconduct is a lay term, sometimes used in institutional policies or by professional bodies. It covers an array of problematic sexual behaviours including sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual abuse. Two of these terms have specific (and different) legal meanings: Sexual assault has a specific meaning in the criminal law context, unlike sexual misconduct, which may cover both criminal and non-criminal conduct.”

The term sexual misconduct is broad. It does not have legal implications attached to it. The meaning of it is far from clear and is deeply generalized. Yet, here again we have a federal MP and provincial MPP both being accused of sexual misconduct.

Patrick Brown, an Ontario MPP received allegations of sexual misconduct last week. He is accused of sexual misconduct with two teenage girls (one being a high school student and the other a university student). Brown states the accusations are false and formal charges have yet to be laid.

Then there is Kent Hehr, a MP who has been accused of sexual misconduct for allegedly making sexually inappropriate comments to women during his time as a Calgary MLA. Last week he resigned from the Liberal cabinet pending an investigation.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement said the government takes allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously: “we believe that it is important to support women who come forward with allegations and that is exactly what our government will do.”

This does not clear up the confusion surrounding this term.

It appears over the past few months and with the groundswell of survivors coming forward to share their stories, the media has been using sexual misconduct as a broad-sweeping term to label anyone who is accused of a nonconsensual or unwelcome sexual act or statement.

As a sexual assault service provider and advocate, I would prefer we eliminate this grey area and often confusing terminology and call it what it is – sexual assault or sexual harassment. Plain and simple.

The media should not continue to minimize or downplay these very serious allegations by using a broad, nonsensical term.

We should be progressing, with our language and thoughts, and like the #Metoo and #IBelieveYou movements, we support survivors and believe what they are saying. There is no grey area in sexual assault.

Thoughtful Films at Red Deer Justice Film Festival

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The 10th annual Red Deer Justice Film Festival (RDJFF) was held from January 25 to 27. The festival was held at the Welikolad Event Centre and showcased 12 films.

RDJFF is a non-profit event run through sponsorship and donations. It is also free to the public. The vision of the festival is promote awareness of global issues and activate our community through documentary films exploring a range of diverse topics, groups, and perspectives.

RDJFF also hosts a NGO Village where several non-profits set up booths in the theatre lobby to share information. CASASC was in attendance in the village for all three days, providing information to attendees and creating awareness of the issue of sexual assault.

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Inspirational Quotes

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These quotes are being posted to offer hope to those who seem hopeless, happiness to those who are sad, inspiration to those who have lost their motivation and contentment to the anxious. If you know of some inspirational quotes that would fit well on this post feel free to email them to us at casasc@casasc.ca. 

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Debunking the Myths about Sexual Assault

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Myth

Most victims of sexual assault can prevent the assault from taking place by resisting.

Fact

Assailants commonly overpower victims through threats and intimidation tactics. Moreover, many victims lack the capacity to appreciate or understand they are being assaulted.

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Myth

Most sexual assaults are done by strangers.

Fact

Statistics clearly show the vast majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone close to the victim.

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Myth

Victims can easily “get over” the effects of sexual assault or child sexual abuse.

Fact

The effects of sexual assault are far reaching and can severely impact an individual’s emotional stability, employment, and ability to form and maintain adult relationships

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Myth

Most sexual assaults are not planned in advance.

Fact

As many as 3/4 of all sexual assaults involved some pre-planning by the assailant.

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Myth

Sexual Assault is a commonly false-reported crime

Fact

Most statistics show approximately 2% or less of sexual assaults reported as false reports.

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Myth

Victims commonly dress in a way that increases their chances of being sexually assaulted.

Fact

This is uncommon as most assailants cannot even remember what the victim was wearing.

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Myth

If a drunk female/male consents to a sexual act, this consent is valid

Fact

It depends on how “drunk” the individual is and whether they are capable of understanding what they are consenting to.

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Myth

Most victims are young, attractive females.

Fact

The elderly are commonly victims of sexual abuse.

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Myth

Men are never sexually assaulted.

Fact

Sexual assault is more common for men than most believe, and boys are common victims of child sexual abuse.

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Myth

Sexual assault is a relatively rare form of abuse.

Fact

As many as 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime. This makes sexual assault one of the most common serious crimes.

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Myth

Most assailants have a history of mental or sexual problems.

Fact

Many assailants appear to live highly normal/functioning lives.

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Myth

Assailants are typically poor, uneducated, of certain race.

Fact

There is no data indicating a typical profile of an assailant. Many assailants are otherwise upstanding citizens.

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Myth

It is not sexual assault if the assailant and victim are married.

Fact

Any sexual acts that are not truly consented to constitute sexual assault regardless of the relationship between the victim and the assailant.

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Myth

The victim must show physical injuries for it to legally be considered a sexual assault

Fact

The presence or absence of physical injuries is irrelevant to the determination of whether an act is “legally” considered a sexual assault; however, physical injuries may be grounds for a heightened punishment or a finding of aggravated sexual assault.

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This post is intended to debunk those myths that many would have you believe. Stay informed! Keeping yourself educated about sexual assault is the first step to prevention.

 

 

 

 

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The Pursuit of Happiness

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They call this a “happiness quiz,” instead of a depression test, because you can take it to estimate how happy you are, and especially to learn how you can become happier. This quiz, which is based on hundreds of recent scientific studies, focuses on lifestyles and habits that strongly relate to long-term happiness or Psychological Well-Being. Visit the pursuit of happiness website to take the quiz today.

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Introducing: WEB CHAT

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At the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre we are dedicated to all of our clients and we would like to extend our help out to those who are just visiting our webpage.

Therefore we would like to announce that we have officially opened our web chat! This will allow those who visit our website to chat anonymously with support staff that we have here at the office to answer any questions you may have and to offer support.

The web chat, as of now, will be open during office hours (Mon 8-8, Tues – Thurs 8-5, Fri 8-4). To access our web chat today just click the “Chat with us” button at the bottom right hand corner of your screen. We are here to help.

 

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My Time as a SART Volunteer

For each call that I receive I know it is going to be one very sad event in an individual’s life. My time with each victim is always unique, but knowing I am allowing them a safe place to speak of what took place, or just a shoulder to lean on, and sometimes cry on, is more than comforting for not only the victim, but myself as well.

I am overwhelmed, that we need so many of us, not only the volunteers, but the Doctors, nurses, police and the great councillors. The aftermath of each assault is like no other emotion, as a survivor we all need different things to become whole again. When I speak to the victims, of what is ahead of them, it seems to bring comfort to them knowing they are not alone in this. Understanding, this is not going to define who they are and in time they will be stronger and perhaps a different person but one that isn’t a victim anymore.

I know, first hand that coming forward is one of the bravest things a person will do in their life. Having someone too support you is life saving. Each time I am there as support for the victims, I get a little stronger as a person, knowing what I am giving them will somehow change the event, even if it just knowing they were not alone during this ordeal.

I remember each victims face from the time I started in September, and unfortunately there has been many. I have received warmth, hugs, thank you’s from victims, and the families involved. No amount of money or pats on the back can compare, to a young victim hugging me and saying thank you for being here. I often leave wondering did I make a difference for them, but then I recall the smile on their face, it wasn’t forced and if you can smile during this storm I know I already made a difference…… For them, and for me. Who knew, I would grow and learn so much by just deciding I wanted to give back. Thank you, S.A.R.T for allowing me to become part of this unique team. I know I will continue to grow as a person.