In light of a growing number of incidents of gender-based discrimination and violence, role models – including a former BC Lion – are mentoring young people to recognize signs of emotional abuse, controlling behaviour, cyberbullying and physical abuse.

This week, program leaders and participants from five Sunshine Coast school programs united for the 2016 Mentors in Violence Prevention Program (MVP) student summit. Following a morning keynote address by MVP ambassador and former BC Lions football player J.R. LaRose, the 20 mentors and 40 students spent the day discussing scenarios that ranged from verbal abuse to sexual harassment and from dating violence to sexual consent. As well, youth were able to talk freely about overcoming peer pressure.

The goal of the Sunshine Coast MVP program is to shift attitudes for good, so that when participants see something unacceptable, whether on social media or in real life, they engage, speak up and be more than a bystander. The Sunshine Coast is a trailblazer, being the first community to bring MVP to Canadian high school students.

The adult mentors work with students in grades 10 and 11, discussing scenarios and learning to recognize when a peer is being mistreated based on gender or sexual identity. The goal is, as the young role models approach graduation, they will mentor their MVP successors.

As a program focused on preventing violence and gender-based discrimination, MVP received a $14,689 grant from provincial civil forfeiture proceeds in 2014-15. The program is among more than 220 anti-violence and crime prevention projects that received grants that year, including 90 supportive of the Province’s long-term Vision for a Violence Free BC strategy.

Quotes:

Mike Morris, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General –

“One of the first steps to preventing abuse – whether it’s physical or emotional – is to change attitudes and identify what constitutes abusive behaviour. Importantly, MVP works with young people at an age when they are beginning to pursue relationships. The attitudes they develop now will carry through into adulthood, helping them and the partners they choose to maintain healthy, safe relationships.”

J.R. LaRose, mentor and former BC Lions football player –

“It takes a real man to stand up against abuse of women and girls – and it’s important, as boys become men, for them to be clear that there are no ‘grey areas’ when it comes to abusive behaviour. I'm not OK with just standing by and being silent when someone is being abused. It’s time we speak up and be a voice for those who have been hurt and abused. Speak up and break the silence.”

Keely Halward, director of Together Against Violence, Sunshine Coast Community Services –

“We are thrilled to be able to work alongside School District 46 to be the first community in Canada to implement the Mentors In Violence Prevention program in schools. MVP teaches us that everyone has the opportunity to play an active role in creating a positive climate for girls and women in our community. We are so proud of the youth who are stepping up as leaders and change-makers at the MVP Youth Summit.”

Quick Facts:

• Jackson Katz, one of the United States’ leading anti-sexist male activists, developed MVP in 1993, initially for use at the college and university level.
• Over the past decade, B.C.’s civil forfeiture program has returned more than $27 million to communities in support of programs and projects focused on preventing crime and helping victims.
• The 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.

Learn More:

Information on helping to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault, and resources for victims: www.saysomethingbc.ca

Violence Free BC strategy: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victimservices/shareddocs/pubs/violence-free-bc.pdf

Services addressing gender violence on the Sunshine Coast: www.sccss.ca

Information on the Mentors in Violence Prevention Program: www.mvpnational.org