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.

Presentations:

For the months of November & December 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 (60min)

Mon, Nov 27, 9:00-10:00 am

Fri, Dec, 10:00-11:00 am

Supporting Disclosures (45 min)

Fri, Nov 17, 10:00-10:45 am

Thurs, Dec 7, 11:00-11:45 am

Ask an Expert – Parenting & Sexualized Behaviour Conversations with our Clinical Expert (6o min)

Thurs, Nov 23, 4:00-5:00 pm

Wed, Dec 20, 4:00-5:00 pm

Events:

-Education Social Media Takeover – Friday, November 24

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 24

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 how you support by sporting your best purple items. This is a 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.

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 public 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.

Family Violence and COVID-19:

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 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Child sexual abuse

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

Social isolation

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. Social distancing and self-quarantine or isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic can make it more challenging to access valuable relationships, but there are ways to stay connected.

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 FVPM 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.

-Purple #iRespect t-shirt – CASASC will have a special edition iRespect t-shirt available. Individuals are encouraged to wear theirs throughout the month, and on Purple Day and the Day of Action.

Events:

-Silent Witnesses (Purple Silhouettes) – Friday, November 26th and ongoing

CASASC will be hosting an outdoor exhibit with silent witnesses (purple human figure cut outs) to bring awareness to the issue of family violence in our community. The exhibit will be able to be viewed from your vehicle or on foot on Friday, November 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the north corner of Centennial Plaza Park (52nd Ave. and 48 Street).

The purple silhouettes are also popping up around the community, “hanging out” with our community partners over the next couple weeks. Silent witnesses can can be found at Cilantro and Chive Red Deer (1927 50 Ave.), Troubled Monk (5551 45 Street) and The Outreach Centre (4101 54 Ave.).

-Info Booth at Lacombe Farmer’s Market– Friday, November 19th

Visit our team at the Lacombe Farmer’s Market. We will be handing out information on family violence prevention and info on our services and campaigns.

-Purple Day of Action – Friday, November 26th

On this day, bring out your purple once again to take action against family violence. Show your purple and make a statement that family violence must be prevented in our community.

-Info booth at Red Deer Rebels game – Friday, November 26th

Visit our team at the Red Deer Rebels game in the community corner. We will be handing out information on family violence prevention and info on our services and campaigns.