COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Public Education
Public education regarding sexual assault is a vital component of our agency's awareness and "prevention" activities. It serves as a pro-active, educational response to issues of sexual violence.
increased awareness about sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, and sexual harassment allows people to develop the skills and knowledge that will help them to identify dangerous situations, develop strategies for dealing with unsafe circumstances, and gain awareness of the resources and options that are available to them if they are survivors of sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, or sexual harassment.
We believe
MPSSAS provides education on sexual assault (and related issues such as trauma) to schools, First Nations, clubs, community agencies, partners of survivors, and the general public. Workshops are presented in small and large group formats in our region.
PA equipment available.
Public Education Workshops
Consent in the #TimesUp Era
We now encourage everyone to consider an enthusiastic
'yes means yes' as the signal for a consensual experience which respects personal boundaries without misunderstanding.
This practical workshop teaches participants how to recognize situations of questionable consent and to seek clear consent in all manner of relationships, not just sexual ones. Great for high school or post secondary students.
Understanding Rape Culture
Using current news examples, this 2 hour workshop helps participants make sense of the term 'rape culture', highlighting links between gender, gender based violence, cultural practices and our economic and legal structures.
Participants leave with an ability to analyze our current #MeToo news cycle more fully and be equipped to recognize situations of sexual violence and harassment more easily. Great for students, community partners and organization managers.
If You See It, Speak It
For this workshop, we partner with anti-violence activist and educator Dawn Novak, to provide an interactive experience in understanding the 2006 femicide of Ryerson University student Natalie Novak, Dawn's daughter.
This workshop enables people of all ages to recognize and learn the importance of speaking out when witnessing elements of an abusive relationship. Great for high school students or interested community groups.
Trauma and Resiliency - An Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice
This workshop enables participants to have an introductory understanding of the elements of single and developmental traumatic experience and some techniques they can use to assist in processing trauma towards stabilization.
We will teach the meaning of 'trauma informed' practice.
Great for community partners, teachers and health practitioners. A more advanced workshop in working with complex sexual assault trauma can also be presented.
Partners of Survivors
Women clients of the agency are invited to bring their partners to this workshop, which highlights in plain language the challenges survivors face in their journeys towards healing from sexual assault. Partners become more skilled allies in healing, learning to recognize signs a partner may be triggered and learn strategies to assist her.
We will discuss the topic of consent in sexual relationships and offer insight into how partners can deepen trust and attachment in their relationships. We also offer support for partners in their work as allies.
