Changing Conversations: Experts on everyday sexual violence prevention, intervention, and response

With guests Meg Martin (she/her), MC and Paula Russel (she/her), MSW, RSW

Did you know that many people struggle to make sense of sexual violence if it isn’t perpetrated by the stereotypical jump-from-the-bushes, armed and masked, stranger-attacker? Did you know that most sexual violence is: not perpetrated by strangers, does not result in physical injury, and is not reported to police?

Listen in as speakers draw upon research and experience to talk about and debunk popular misconceptions about sexual violence—misconceptions that are often also held by people against whom others perpetrate sexual violence, and by the service providers meant to respond to it.

With guests Hilary Jahelka (she/they), MSW, RSW and Sasha Best (she/her)

We are all aware that being exposed to sexual violence is an incredibly difficult and traumatic experience. What many people may not know is that turning to legal systems to deal with sexual violence can bring with it its own unique challenges and questions.

Increasingly, people who have experienced sexual violence are seeking legal advice to make sense of their own experiences and to better understand the legal processes they may choose to engage with, or may already be involved with.

Learn more about a free program in Calgary that provides summary legal advice as well as connections to non-legal supports with a trauma informed lens and a collaborative approach.

Resources:

Calgary Legal Guidance (CLG) is a non-profit legal organization offering free legal help for no-to-low-income people and those in need, including people experiencing family violence, homelessness, or health issues and who cannot afford a lawyer or have access to paid services.Calgary Legal Guidance offers a number of programs focused on particular areas of law and on specific situations that our clientele may be dealing with. One of these programs is the Sexual Violence Survivors Legal Advice Program.

With guests Pauline Head (she/her), MD FRCPC and Lisa Bell (she/her), BScN

Learn about how trauma- and violence-informed, person-centred care helps specialized healthcare providers determine how to respond and what services to provide to people who are referred to or call upon Calgary’s Sexual Assault Response Team (CSART) and explore when to refer people to CSART and the kinds of considerations to take up before making a referral. Learn from these very skilled and insightful longtime professionals who have navigated countless complex scenarios.

Resources:

The Calgary Sexual Assault Response Team (CSART) is a team of registered nurses, doctors and crisis counsellors who have specialized training and expertise to support people who have been sexually assaulted. They can offer confidential services including medical treatment, emotional support, reporting options, forensic examination and evidence collection for any child or adult who has been sexually assaulted in the last 7 days. CSART services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

With guests Dori Palmiere (she/her), RSW, MSW and Diana Wark (she/her), RSW

As service providers, the topics of sex, sexuality, and sexual health often come up with those we serve and work with. It matters that we are prepared to address matters like sex, sexuality, and sexual health by having built comfort and skill talking about them. Listen in about how to talk about all of this, including an exploration of the social messages we receive about sex and how these messages can impact our practices today.

With guest Detective Timothy Fitzgibbon, Calgary Police Service

Learn directly from an expert who investigates sexual assault allegations, from Calgary's Sexual Assault Investigative Unit.

With guests Heather Robinson (she/her), BHSc and Morgan Parker (she/her), BSW

Learn directly from experts who provide support and accompaniment through processes like reporting, investigation, the court system and afterward.

With guest Mandi Gray (she/her), PhD

Learn directly from an expert who made her way through these systems after being sexually assaulted by someone, and who powerfully continues to advocate for awareness and change.

Resources:

This session features guest Mandi Gray, a CIHR and AHS funded researcher, speaker, writer, consultant, and documentary filmmaker, who will share some of her experiences and advocacy with us. This is a learning opportunity not to be missed!Learn more about Mandi and her work: https://www.mandigray.com/.

With guests Carla Bertsch (she/her), MSW and Femi Akinsanya (she/her), BSc

Learn about how sexual violence awareness and response systems are strengthened and weakened by perceptions about those working within them, and how knowing better will benefit you.