THUNDER BAY -- Centr’Elles and the Sexual Abuse Centre of Thunder Bay have launched a video contest to engage discussion in the community about the dangers of sexual assault.
The campaign was launched in order to engage members of the community to participate in dialogue about sexual violence. They have teamed up with the city of Thunder Bay, who have proclaimed the month of May.
Coun. Rebecca Johnson spoke at the conference on behalf of the city. “It’s sad that we even have to have this month,” said Johnson. “I was aware it was a problem, but after doing my research I’ve come to realize how widespread it is.”
The program is part of a Draw-the-Line campaign which challenges myths about sexual violence and gives bystanders techniques on how to effectively intervene in situations.
Rose Viel is the executive director of Centr’Elles, a Francophone organization that provides services in French for victims of sexual assault. She said that the idea behind the contest is associated with the postcards available online, at the Sexual Abuse Center and at local libraries.
“We’re encouraging people to pick up these postcards, and pick one that means something to them.”
The inspiration behind each card is to use it in a short video and help display the variance in the kinds of sexual assault that affects the lives of different people.
Behind Viel, an enlarged poster reads: “You hear your boss tell a co-worker how great your co-worker looks in a skirt. Do you go back to your desk?”
“What would you do about it, what would you say when you’re confronted with this situation?” asks Rose Viel. “This card shows people that it’s OK to talk about it. Let’s demystify everything that people think of sexual assault.”
“Lots of the individuals we provide support to…they still believe it’s their fault,” says Deborah Dika, the executive director of the Sexual Abuse Centre. “We want to shatter that. It’s time to let people know that’s not okay.”
“This campaign, being that it is interactive, it will bring the sexual awareness to the forefront. People will talk about it.”
Contestants will have until May 28 to submit the video, and a winner will be chosen at the end of the month.
