THUNDER BAY -- A program aimed at combatting sexual assaults at events such as festivals and concerts is coming to Thunder Bay.
The Thunder Bay Crime Prevention Council has partnered with Sexual Abuse Centre Thunder Bay and the city's Recreation and Culture Division to introduce Project SoundCheck.
It was founded in Ottawa in 2015 after research showed that 25 per cent of sexual assaults in the nation's capital occurred at large public gatherings.
Staff from the Sexual Abuse Centre have been trained in Project SoundCheck's "bystander intervention" techniques.
"Our centre is pleased to be able to offer training to volunteers, festival organizers, security personnel, first aid staff and anyone else who is interested in learning how to challenge bystander apathy, create a culture of consent and help reduce the incidence of sexual violence in our community," said executive-director Deborah Dika.
Three training sessions are scheduled over the next several weeks, starting Thursday, April 19 at the Regional Food Distribution Association at 570 South Syndicate Avenue between 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m..
Participants must registered in advance by phoning 625-8463. The fee is $15 per person plus tax.
Additional training sessions will be provided for other organizations or events upon request.
Lee-Ann Chevrette, coordinator of the Crime Prevention Council, said "What we know is that at festivals and large events, people experience sexual violence on a spectrum, which includes being followed, harassed or cornered, as well as drug-facilitated sexual assault. When people are trained to recognize this violence and how to intervene safely, then sexual violence prevention is possible."
More information on Project SoundCheck is available at thunderbay.ca/projectsoundcheck.
