Cranbrook CCSR Community Coordination for Safety in Relationships

Intimate partner and sexual violence can result in short- and long-term physical, sexual and reproductive, and mental health problems. Although males can also be victims, females are disproportionately affected. Prevention strategies include: reducing childhood exposures to violence teaching safe and healthy relationship skills... strengthening economic support for families challenging social norms that promote male authority over women offering bystander empowerment and education eliminating gender inequalities in employment and education creating protective environments In addition patient-centred medical care, therapeutic interventions, housing programmes and legal services can reduce the negative consequences experienced by survivors. Please see this website for more information: https://www.who.int/violence_injury.../violence/sexual/en/ See more

Why is it important to address gender-based violence? Gender-based violence costs women their lives and on average, every 6 days, a Canadian woman is killed by her intimate partner. Gender-based violence has a profound effect on children and the children who witness abuse and violence in the home have twice the rate of psychiatric disorders as children from non-violent homes. 3-5 children/youth in every classroom are exposed to gender-based violence. Woman in Canada live at a greater risk then men of domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment and sex-trafficking. The Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays offers the PEACE program for children and youth experiencing violence. Research shows that prevention and intervention programs like PEACE can help. Go to https://kootenays.cmha.bc.ca/ for more information.

What is Consent? Consent is given freely and voluntary. It is not coerced, pressured or convinced. Consent is given because we want to give it, not because we feel we have to. Consent is informed. We cannot say yes to something if we do not first know exactly what we are saying yes to. Consent is reversible. It is common and acceptable for us to say yes to something only to change our minds later and say no. It is okay for people to change their minds.... Consent is enthusiastic! It is not the absence of a no: but the presence of an enthusiastic yes! See more

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence How can you help someone you know who is experiencing abuse? Here are some tips for you. *Please stay in touch with them. This person may prefer a safer way to keep connected. Please ask what this may be.... *Be supportive. Validate and believe them. *Please respect their right to consent unless you believe their life is in danger. *Be respectful of their privacy because they may be feeling shame, stigma, embarrassment and unsafe. *Offer supports and practical assistance ie: Crisis Line *Take care of yourself and your well-being. See more