THUNDER BAY -- A former NHL player turned child advocate will speak in Thunder Bay later this month.
Sheldon Kennedy is the keynote speaker for a fundraiser hosted by the Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services agency.
Kennedy played more than 300 games in the National Hockey League, but became best known when he went public about being sexually assaulted by his junior hockey coach Graham James.
James ended up serving three-and-a-half years in prison for the assaults.
Kennedy became a well-known advocate for victims, especially after he roller-bladed across Canada for the cause in 1998.
The upcoming event is meant to highlight the effects of childhood abuse, through Kennedy's personal story, and also bring attention to the tools in place to support victims of abuse.
Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services executive director Renee Monsma hopes to reduce some of the stigma associated with victimization.
“We know that one in every three Canadians suffer from child abuse in one form or another, whether or not it’s mental, physical or witnessing domestic violence,” Monsma said.
“We really want to bring awareness to the issues that are impacting them and hopefully reduce the stigma.”
Monsma added they hope to develop a coordinated effort in the community to respond to the victims in a responsible and collaborative way.
The event is called, It Takes a Village and it's scheduled for March 29 at the Valhalla Inn.
Tickets can be purchased through the event-brite website.
