Blog

SWOVA Focuses on Consent and Sexual Assault

February 3, 2016

Statistics tell us that one in three women and one in six men will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime, while less than one in ten assaults are reported to the authorities. Most sexual assaults happen by someone the victim knows. (Stats Can 2004)

For the next three years SWOVA Community Development and Research Society will be looking more closely at these issues with their new project Consent and Sexual Assault – Prevention and Response, funded by Status of Women Canada. Project Coordinator Sharyn Carroll will be focusing on awareness and response to these issues on Mayne, Galiano, Salt Spring, Saturna and Pender Islands.

This venture will conduct a review of community knowledge for prevention of and intervention in sexual assault for youth and adults. It’s goal is to facilitate shared, consistent language regarding what constitutes sexual consent and sexual assault under Canadian law. The project will explore inter-agency protocols, policies and procedures for victims of sexual assault and include community involvement. A Needs Assessment Survey and forming of an Advisory Committee are the first stages of the project.

SWOVA is excited to partner with the RCMP, Victim Services, Options for Sexual Health, IWAV, Island Health, SD #64, GISS PAC and other key organizations on such a valuable project for the betterment of our communities.

We are grateful for the support of our Federal Government in providing funding of for this 3-year project.

For more information or if you have any questions please contact SWOVA at
250-537-1336.

The Process of Consent by Elise Pearson

The Process of Consent by Elise Pearson

On May 25th girls from the Salish Sea Girls' Leadership Project and recruits from grade 12 at GISS (Gulf Islands Secondary School) entered the high school to talk to the grade 11 students about sexual health and consent. In my own experience, and in speaking with...

SparkFest – Sparkling Inspiration

SparkFest – Sparkling Inspiration

Sparkfest is the annual SWOVA fundraiser that the youth from Pass It On organize. This year on April 30, they really outdid themselves: Music by Ashleigh Ball from Hey Ocean, Tara Maclean & Suzanne Little, spoken word from Morgan Klassen, and the GISS imrov team....

Nurture Commitment – By Kate Nash

Nurture Commitment – By Kate Nash

As the last months of Pass it On pass by, I am confronted with the word commitment. We all practice commitment in our lives, more often unconsciously.  We are the most committed to our lovers, children, friends and habits, following through in our support without...

Be Inspired! Sparkle at Sparkfest

Be Inspired! Sparkle at Sparkfest

Good News! Sparkfest is weeks away, and we are all getting very excited for our 5th annual Pass It On benefit. Sparkfest will be held on April 30th at the Harbour House Hotel. This year’s generous performers are Ashleigh Ball from Hey Ocean; the Brony documentary;...

Respect and the Internet – by Lynda Laushway

Respect and the Internet – by Lynda Laushway

The days when etiquette encompassed topics such as who should open a door for who and how to set a table correctly, definitely predated the internet and social media.  We live in a whole new world now where communication is instantaneous and anonymous. When we...

The End Before the Beginning – by Kate Maurice

The End Before the Beginning – by Kate Maurice

As Pass It On draws to a close for another year, I find myself in that same parallel of emotions I feel every year at this time. I am sad to part ways with the young women I've spent the past year with. Although we live in a small town and see each other often here...

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.