This episode is adapted from a live webinar held on Wednesday, April 23rd, as part of the AVA Webinar Series: Rethinking Prevention–The Roots of Sexual Violence and Intersectionality, featuring our guests Kira Snodgrass and Mary Valenzuela from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse.

Kira Snodgrass is a Sexual Violence Educator with CCASA. With a background in Child & Youth Care and Addictions Counselling, Kira brings years of frontline experience supporting those impacted by sexual violence. Her work with Sexual Assault Response Teams and her passion for education shine through in her role, where she also supports crisis lines and training initiatives across the province.

Mary Valenzuela is also a Sexual Violence Educator with CCASA. She brings a background in Sociology and Women & Gender Studies, along with over six years of experience facilitating programs in the non-profit sector. Her work is grounded in creating safe, judgment-free spaces and building awareness through dialogue, especially with newcomer youth and marginalized communities.

Together, Kira and Mary help lead essential conversations that move communities toward healing, safety, and change.

Let’s get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: https://youtu.be/lqZj03DHo0A

 At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

Welcome to the HerHealth Podcast! In this episode, host Dr. Sarah Yercich an early career researcher with AVA, Co-Director of the Freedom Center for Research on Violence Against Women, and faculty in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Capilano University, sits down with Kira Snodgrass and Mary Valenzuela from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse.

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: ⁠https://youtu.be/lqZj03DHo0A

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

Welcome to the HerHealth Podcast! In this episode, host Dr. Sarah Yercich an early career researcher with AVA, Co-Director of the Freedom Center for Research on Violence Against Women, and faculty in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Capilano University, sits down with Kira Snodgrass and Mary Valenzuela from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse.

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

This episode is adapted from a live webinar held onWednesday, April 23rd, as part of the AVA Webinar Series: Understanding Sexual Assault, Child Sexual Abuse, and Responding to Disclosures, featuring our guests Kira Snodgrass and Mary Valenzuela from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse.

Kira Snodgrass is a Sexual Violence Educator with CCASA.With a background in Child & Youth Care and Addictions Counselling, Kira brings years of frontline experience supporting those impacted by sexual violence. Her work with Sexual Assault Response Teams and her passion for education shine through in her role, where she also supports crisis lines and training initiatives across the province.

Mary Valenzuela is also a Sexual Violence Educator withCCASA. She brings a background in Sociology and Women & Gender Studies, along with over six years of experience facilitating programs in the non-profit sector. Her work is grounded in creating safe, judgment-free spaces and building awareness through dialogue—especially with newcomer youth and marginalized communities.

Together, Kira and Mary help lead essential conversationsthat move communities toward healing, safety, and change.

Let’s get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here:

 At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

Today’s episode is adapted from a webinar hosted by Dr. Sarah Yercich, part of the AVA (Alliance Against Violence & Adversity) Webinar Series, originally aired on April 2, 2025.

We explore a critical question: Family Law Protection Orders and Peace Bonds—Do These Legal Mechanisms Ensure the Safety of Survivors of Gender-Based Violence?

Our featured guest is Hannah Ellison from Battered Women’s Support Services, a legal advocate with extensive experience in human rights and reproductive law across the UK and Canada.

In this episode, Hannah unpacks:

• Common misconceptions about protection orders and peace bonds

• The barriers survivors face in accessing and enforcing them

• The role of police and the legal system

• The critical importance of ongoing safety planning

She also shares key policy recommendations aimed at strengthening these legal tools to better support the safety, dignity, and autonomy of survivors.

🔗 Watch Hannah Ellison's full webinar here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Family Law Protection Orders and Peace Bonds⁠

💬 Let’s dive in!

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

Welcome to the HerHealth Podcast! In this episode, host Dr. Sarah Yercich an early career researcher with AVA, Co-Director of the Freedom Center for Research on Violence Against Women, and faculty in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Capilano University, sits down with Hannah Ellison from Battered Women’s Support Services.

Together, they explore the effectiveness of family law protection orders and peace bonds in supporting survivors of gender-based violence. Drawing on recent research from British Columbia, Hannah shares key insights into how these legal mechanisms operate, the misconceptions surrounding them, and the barriers survivors face when trying to access or enforce them.

Hannah also discusses the critical role of police and the legal system, the importance of ongoing safety planning, and offers thoughtful policy recommendations aimed at strengthening legal protections for survivors.

With legal training from Durham University and a Master of Laws from UBC, Hannah brings deep expertise in human rights and reproductive law across both the UK and Canada. She currently supports survivors of family violence through legal and immigration advocacy in Vancouver.

🔗 Watch Hannah Ellison's full webinar here: ⁠Family Law Protection Orders and Peace Bonds

💬 Let’s dive in!

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

In this episode, we sit down with renowned researcher Dr. Bonnie Kaplan to explore the powerful connection between nutrition and mental health. Drawing on decades of research and clinical insight, Dr. Kaplan breaks down how micronutrients play a critical role in brain function, emotional regulation, and even the prevention of mental health conditions like dementia and mood disorders.

We discuss:

• How what we eat directly influences our mental well-being

• The most essential micronutrients for cognitive and emotional health

• Practical tips for clinicians and patients on integrating nutrition into mental health care

• The role of the gut microbiome and prenatal nutrition in long-term outcomes

• Insights from her co-authored book The Better Brain with Dr. Julia Rucklidge

Whether you're a healthcare provider, researcher, or simply curious about how food affects your mind, this episode offers evidence-based guidance and hopeful strategies for improving mental health—starting on your plate.

🔗 Watch Dr. Kaplan’s full webinar here: Nutrition is the Foundation of Our Brain and Mental Health

💬 Let’s dive in!

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

In today’s episode, we’re spotlighting a presentation from AVA’s webinar series on the critical role of nutrition in brain function and mental health. We’re honoured to welcome:

Dr. Bonnie J. Kaplan, Professor Emerita at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. Originally from Ohio, Dr. Kaplan completed all of her training in the U.S. and has published extensively on the biological basis of developmental disorders and the impact of nutrition on brain development and function.

In this talk, she’ll explore:

• How key micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) support brain function.
• The growing evidence for nutritional interventions in mental health.
• Practical recommendations for incorporating nutrition into clinical care.
• Links between nutrition and the prevention of dementia.
• The role of the gut microbiome in mental well-being.
• New research showing that prenatal supplementation can reduce perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
• 
  

🔗 Watch Dr. Kaplan’s full webinar here: ⁠Nutrition is the Foundation of Our Brain and Mental Health⁠

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

Today we interview Dr. Nicole Letourneau, a Registered Nurse and a Professor in the Faculty of Nursing and the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Dr. Letourneau holds the University of Calgary Research Excellence Chair in Parent and Child Health. She is the Scientific Director of the Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA). AVA brings together over 250 academic and community partners across Canada, focusing on implementation science training and knowledge mobilization to address violence and adversity affecting girls and women.

In this episode, we’ll discuss the critical work being done through AVA, focusing on why it’s needed. Despite nearly 30 years of policies aimed at preventing violence against girls and women, family violence rates have increased, and health outcomes for girls, women, and gender-diverse people have worsened.

Dr. Letourneau will share insights on:

• Enhancing training to address barriers to reducing gendered violence and early childhood adversity.

• Using evidence-based interventions to support those affected by violence and adversity.

• Engaging communities to break down silos and barriers of inequity.

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠AVA ⁠

⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

Today’s episode is adapted from a webinar featuring two renowned experts discussing resilience. The presentation can be viewed on AVA’s YouTube channel @AVATrainingca along with other presentations from the series. Be sure to check out the link in the bio for timestamps and more details about today's episode.

We’re thrilled to feature:

• Dr. Caroline Piotrowski, Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba, whose interdisciplinary research focuses on risk and resilience in children and youth.

• Dr. Margherita Cameranesi, a clinical psychologist and researcher specializing in improving mental health and resilience in underserved communities.

Our speakers will cover:

• The history of resilience research and key definitions.

• Resilience traits and processes at individual, family, and community levels.

• Strategies to build capacity for coping with adversity and promoting mental health.

Join us as we explore practical approaches to supporting individuals and communities in overcoming adversity. At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠AVA ⁠

⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.