choose to see + choose to act

 Saskatchewan has one of the highest rates of sexual violence in Canada, remaining a consistent fact for years. Many social adversities, such as poverty, family violence, substance use, mental illness, and crime, stem from a history of trauma. Addressing the expressed outcomes of trauma requires commitment to addressing the validity of sexual violence trauma as a leading root cause. 

For many, it is easier to look the other way and avoid considering the cause and effect of the outcomes of trauma. It is perhaps even easier to adopt the mindset that this is a systemic issue you are powerless over, or do not have a personal stake in responding to; but the ripple effect of the individual experience of trauma impacts entire communities, requiring collective responsibility for change.

We invite you not to look the other way, but to pay attention: Pay attention to the high rate of sexual violence in Saskatchewan, and the many people experiencing the impacts of trauma; pay attention to the stigma and injustice experienced by survivors, perpetuating the cycle of harm; pay attention to the voices of survivors expressing their needs, noticing what needs go unmet. 

Through these injustices, the values and priorities of a society are shown; should we choose to see them. 

This Sexual Violence Awareness Month, let people know that you are watching, and you believe it is time to validate survivors and confront the systems that too frequently fail them.

When a survivor's voice is silenced or discredited, choose to be attentive. When a survivor is blamed or slandered and denied justice through the justice system, choose to be vigilant. When policies undermine the importance of comprehensive gender and sex education, choose to speak up. When mental health resources that address the profound impact of sexual violence are unprioritized, choose to be steadfast for change.

Calls to action

• The acknowledgement of sexual violence as a priority issue deserving a ‘seat at the table’ in societal discourse.
• Acknowledgment and advocacy for the importance of comprehensive gender, sex, and violence prevention education within the education system, recognizing that the restrictions undermine the importance of sexual violence prevention and response and minimizes the severity of the issue.
• Recognition of the importance of empowering the public through knowledge - especially directed towards those who may look the other way, not knowing how to approach these issues as individuals. This action starts when individuals are willing to see the reality of the issue and unequivocally identify it as a problem personally, professionally, and systemically.
• Provide survivor serving organizations of many kinds with the resources they need to reach further into the community, through both adequate funding and supportive encouragement for the work. 
• Increased accountability within the criminal justice system in their response to sexual violence survivors by urging the systems to see the magnitude of the issue and prioritize better outcomes for survivors. This can be accomplished through exploring avenues of specialized courts, alternative measures, and education for provincial judges.
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Let Sexual Violence Awareness Month be a catalyst for change. Let's not only choose to see the visible outcomes, but choose to see the value in addressing the root causes of sexual violence trauma, and hold those accountable who do not prioritize prevention and support for survivors. Stand with survivors, advocate for systemic reform, and ensure that no one suffers in silence. Because only by confronting the uncomfortable truths and bringing justice for survivors, can we truly create a safer and more just society for all.

Want to support the work we’re doing this Sexual Violence Awareness Month? You can, by choosing to WEAR your support for survivors.

Throughout May, we’re selling these locally made and locally designed t-shirts to raise awareness around the injustices faced by survivors of sexual violence.

Far too often, individuals feel silenced, unseen, and unheard by justice responses, or worse, actively discriminated against. Can the scales ever truly be balanced when social inequities that lead to trauma weigh down survivors?  We've designed this shirt to bring awareness to these questions and start an important conversation about what justice looks like, and can look like for survivors.

Proceeds of this shirt support RSAC’s work, and we wish to express our thanks to Freshly Pressed for producing them! 

Click here to get yours today: https://freshlypressedprinting.com/products/rsac-t-shirt