Public Safety and Solicitor General
The Province today reaffirmed its support for victims of sexual assault in B.C. and its commitment to end this violence as part of its long-term commitment to achieve a Violence Free B.C.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris visited the Surpassing Our Survival (SOS) Society – which has one of the larger contracts to deliver the Stopping the Violence counselling program in B.C. – to hear about its work with victims and outline steps the Province is taking to eliminate sexual violence.
Morris reiterated that in addition to dedicated, annual funding for service providers like SOS, government will be following through with more grants from civil forfeiture proceeds this year, as promised with the release of the long-term Vision for a Violence Free BC Strategy launched last year. These will support programs and projects focused on preventing sexual violence and supporting victims, including younger women who are statistically at greater risk. More details regarding these grants will be released in the days ahead.
(flickr.com) The focus on prevention is also supported by ongoing work by the Ministry of Advanced Education. It has compiled an inventory of the various policies dealing with sexual misconduct on B.C. campuses from each of the province’s 25 public post-secondary institutions. A working group is developing a comprehensive approach to prevent and respond to issues of sexual violence at public post-secondary institutions in B.C. This framework is expected to be completed in the coming months.
In addition, as Premier Christy Clark confirmed last week, government is working on an urgent basis to pass Bill M205, the Post-Secondary Sexual Violence Policies Act, or amend it and pass a similar version of this proposed legislation.
Today, the Province also unveiled an awareness campaign focused on the issue of sexual assault. This expansion of last year’s #SaySomething targets young adults and aims to change attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate sexual violence. The campaign goals include:
- Dispelling myths about sexual assault.
- Raising awareness about sexual assault, with resources on how to offer help or get help.
- Educating bystanders on their role and empowering them to take action.
A host website − www.saysomethingbc.ca − provides information and resources for victims, service providers, and bystanders who want to help.
Quotes:
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris –
“Front-line services that help victims of sexual violence to become survivors are absolutely critical. But we also need to ensure that those who have been victimized are supported when they speak up, and to promote dialogue that challenges the attitudes behind sexual violence. By funding front-line victim services and counselling, and by dispelling myths and changing behaviours, we believe we will achieve the vision set out in our Violence Free BC strategy.”
Leslie Tozer, executive director and trauma counsellor, Surpassing Our Survival Society –
“Sexual violence is a power-based crime, fuelled by cultural values and gender myths that normalize sexually aggressive behavior. We need to engage both men and women in speaking out against sexual violence. By promoting honest conversation and access to facts, we can begin to break down the myths and attitudes that perpetuate sexual violence.”
Quick Facts:
- It is estimated one in three women worldwide will experience some form of sexual assault in her lifetime.
- Government commits more than $70 million per year to prevention and intervention services and programs that benefit victims of sexual assault and other crimes.
- The Province’s Vision for a Violence Free BC strategy outlines the path to creating a province where all women have the supports they need to help prevent violence, escape from violent situations, and recover if they have been victims of violence.
- Victims of sexual violence and other crimes can access help at any time through VictimLink BC – a free, multilingual crisis line – at 1 800 563-0808.
Learn More:
Say Something: www.saysomethingbc.ca
Vision for a Violence Free BC: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/criminal-justice/bc-criminal-justice-system/if-victim/publications/violence-free-bc.pdf
Surpassing Our Survival Society: http://www.sossociety.net/
