On Wednesday, May 1, 2013, the Honourable Laurel Broten, MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, joined the Toronto Police Service, the Sexual Assault Advisory Committee, students from Seneca College and Karlyn Percil, to launch Sexual Assault Awareness Month under the theme "Report Support."
This year's theme is focused on encouraging sexual assault survivors to tell their story by reporting to police or by seeking support services within the community.
"Every woman has the right to be safe and feel safe in her home, her community and her workplace. But with only one in ten victims reporting sexual assaults to the police, it is clear that we need to improve victims confidence to speak out by enhancing the support we provide them. This is one of the most important steps we can take in sexual violence prevention and is a primary focus of our governments Sexual Violence Action Plan, said Laurel Broten, Minister Responsible for Womens Issues, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
The Toronto Police Service worked with the students in Seneca College's Graphic Design program to develop various public-awareness campaigns. These campaigns will be used to start a conversation between the Service and various community agencies about the best way to encourage "Report Support" and raise awareness about sexual assault.
The Toronto Police Service has also been working with Karlyn Percil on a video message. Karlyn is a sexual assault survivor and tells her story to encourage others to seek support and break the silence that often surrounds sexual assault.
You can watch Karlyn's video by clicking here.
The Toronto Police Service continues to work with a number of community agencies on the Sexual Assault Advisory Committee. This committee is made up of organizations and individuals who have dedicated their lives to supporting sexual assault survivors. Launching Sexual Assault Awareness Month is one of many activities the Service and the committee participate in every year.
A sexual assault is defined by the Criminal Code of Canada as any form of unwanted sexual contact. It includes, but is not limited to, kissing, grabbing, oral sex and penetration. To learn more about sexual assault, including how to report a sexual assault, please visit our Sex Crimes Unit website.
This year's theme is focused on encouraging sexual assault survivors to tell their story by reporting to police or by seeking support services within the community.
"Every woman has the right to be safe and feel safe in her home, her community and her workplace. But with only one in ten victims reporting sexual assaults to the police, it is clear that we need to improve victims confidence to speak out by enhancing the support we provide them. This is one of the most important steps we can take in sexual violence prevention and is a primary focus of our governments Sexual Violence Action Plan, said Laurel Broten, Minister Responsible for Womens Issues, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
The Toronto Police Service worked with the students in Seneca College's Graphic Design program to develop various public-awareness campaigns. These campaigns will be used to start a conversation between the Service and various community agencies about the best way to encourage "Report Support" and raise awareness about sexual assault.
The Toronto Police Service has also been working with Karlyn Percil on a video message. Karlyn is a sexual assault survivor and tells her story to encourage others to seek support and break the silence that often surrounds sexual assault.
You can watch Karlyn's video by clicking here.
The Toronto Police Service continues to work with a number of community agencies on the Sexual Assault Advisory Committee. This committee is made up of organizations and individuals who have dedicated their lives to supporting sexual assault survivors. Launching Sexual Assault Awareness Month is one of many activities the Service and the committee participate in every year.
A sexual assault is defined by the Criminal Code of Canada as any form of unwanted sexual contact. It includes, but is not limited to, kissing, grabbing, oral sex and penetration. To learn more about sexual assault, including how to report a sexual assault, please visit our Sex Crimes Unit website.