May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in Ontario. Sexual violence affects every community in Ontario. According to a study done by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (2019), more than 52,000 sexual assault victims visited hospital clinics and emergency resources over a 15-year span. The report notes: “Women and girls are consistently documented as having the highest estimates of sexual and gender-based violence.”
There are ways you can support victims of sexual assault; by reassuring them that they are believed and helping them to connect with the appropriate support and information, it can make a huge difference.
Family Transition Place (FTP) offers free individual counselling in Orangeville, Bolton and Shelburne for all genders over the age of 16 for recent or historical sexual abuse. Call 1-800-265-9178 to speak with one of our compassionate counsellors. Please reach out if you or someone you know needs support.
Other local resources are also available.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
