Tag Archive for: respect

The power of words in teen dating relationships

By Kailee Mears

With Valentine’s Day and Family Day behind us, we can reflect on how these holidays bring people closer together. Family Day is a day off for many to spend time with family. Valentine’s Day has grown into a day to celebrate love in many forms, including couples or friends.

What you may not have known is that the month of February was also Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). TDVAM is meant to raise awareness of the different types of violence teenagers can experience within a dating relationship.

Statistics show that young people between the ages of 15 to 24 have the highest risk of experiencing dating violence.

Dating violence can involve physical abuse like hitting, slapping, pushing or kicking. It can also involve a type of violence called emotional violence.

Emotional violence is the use of words to hurt, intimidate, embarrass or harass a person. It is the most common type of dating violence and often comes before other types of violence. One study suggested that up to 62 per cent of 12 to 18 year old’s have experienced emotional violence while in a dating relationship.

While it may be easy to see the results of physical violence through injuries, it can be difficult to see how words can affect a person emotionally.

As youth grow up, one can expect to hear some version of “don’t let words get the better of you.” While it is important for youth to learn to become resilient, it is important for both youth and adults to recognize when a person’s words are truly harmful, especially when it comes to dating relationships.

One of the first steps you can take is to pay attention when someone is speaking and how their tone makes the youth and those around them, including yourself, feel.

Hearing something like “Why don’t you just shut up?” can make a person feel very small, scared and uncomfortable. Hearing “Oh come on. Everyone is doing it. Just try it once,” could have the effect like they are being pressured into doing something they don’t want to do.

Or even “Why didn’t you text me back? I texted you a lot. What were you doing? Who were you with?” can feel like being controlled by the person saying it – that we cannot do anything without replying to a text message right away or face some sort of punishment. Being independent in a relationship is important. We need to have time to ourselves and with others to maintain our relationships.

If you overhear something that makes you feel off or uncomfortable from the dating partner of a friend, co-worker or youth in your family, it is important to check in with that person. By asking that friend/co-worker/youth how they felt during that conversation and pointing out how you felt may make the youth more aware of how they may have been treated with disrespect. It could give the person a chance to reach out for help if they are uncomfortable with how their partner is speaking to them.

Words can be powerful. It is important for youth and adults to know that they deserve to be spoken to with respect, love and dignity, especially when it comes from a dating partner. If something does not sound right or makes someone feel scared, it is important to say something and seek help.

Kailee Mears is a prevention educator at the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre.

Article as published in the Red Deer Advocate on March 1, 2022

 

Your 2021 Guide to Sexual Violence Awareness Month

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

Respect Day celebration draws crowd to City Hall Park

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The more individuals respect one another, the less harm they will do to each other. This could lead to the elimination of violence.

The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) continued its’ mission to eliminate sexual violence by hosting a free community event in honour of respect at City Hall Park.

On May 25th CASASC celebrated Respect Day in Red Deer. This was a community celebration where the focus was placed on creating a culture of respect in our day-to-day lives in Central Alberta. It featured Latin flavoured music by Grupo Konga, dancing by the Red Deer Aboriginal Dance Troupe, information booths and a by-donation barbeque.

Local dignitaries City of Red Deer Deputy Mayor Ken Johnston, MLA Barb Miller, MLA Kim Schreiner and MP Earl Dreeshen brought greetings to the crowd gathered.

Respect Day was an awareness event connected to CASASC’s current 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 is focused on awareness and creating positive changes, dispelling the negative connotations of “rape culture.”

“The idea is that the promotion and encouragement of respect is a preventative measure against sexual violence,” said CASASC Executive Director Patricia Arango. “The more respect people have for one another the less harm they will cause.”

Respect Day – Join us on May 25th

Respectday-poster-page-001

You are not going to want to miss this!
Join us on Friday, May 25 for Respect Day. CASASC will be celebrating this annual day in City Hall in Red Deer. This is a free event that will feature music, dancing, information booths and a by donation barbeque
Everyone is welcome!
Wear your MADE TO RESPECT t-shirt
Together we can create a culture of #Respect

 

#iRespect Fundraiser (Oct 22-23rd)

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On October 22nd and 23rd, we put together a photo & social media campaign in order to create awareness and raise money to go towards the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Center.

During that weekend, we had a photo shoot at the donated space of The White Room Gallery beside Sunworks downtown Red Deer, with published guest photographer Ashlee Krutzfeldt, owner and operator of AJKPhotography. Along with your professionally taken photo, we will also had Jesse Marriott and the staff of Utopia Hair and Lash Studio on site for glam touch ups before getting your portrait.

Requirements

– Must have worn a plain white t-shirt or tank top no logos or writing on shirt

– Must have been 18 years or older

– Minimum $20 donation per person (100% of proceeds go directly to CASASC)

This is a great opportunity to help raise awareness when in today’s society 1 in 3 people are being sexually assaulted.”

 

The photos are now posted to the I Respect event page. If you would like to see YOUR photo, click the link below!

Link to Facebook I Respect event page: Click Here!!!!!!!!!!!

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“On behalf of Jesse Marriott, Ashlee Krutzfeldt and myself a huge thank you to those who came down to support us in our campaign to raise awareness for the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Center and the ” I Respect ” movement. While we truly appreciate your messages of respect and want them to be heard, there was not enough room on the photos to put the messages in. Please feel free to add your message when you post your own photo or you can add them into the comments. I would also like to add as a side note that you are able to order a copy of your photo without the logo and I Respect through Ashlee @ajkphotography. She has put countless hours of work into these gorgeous photos and it really Shows! Xoxo”

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