In Canada, nearly 1 in 2 people have experienced physical or sexual assault since age 15.¹

And yet, only 6–9% of sexual assaults are reported to police.²

That means most survivors never enter official statistics.

In Dufferin County and Caledon, prevention starts with:

• believing survivors
• challenging harmful myths
• understanding consent

¹ Conroy, Shana. “Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, 2019.” Juristat. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 85-002-X. Ottawa: Statistics Canada, March 2, 2021. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2021001/article/00001-eng.htm.
² Statistics Canada. Gender-Based Violence and Unwanted Sexual Behaviour in Canada, 2018: Initial Findings from the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces. Juristat. Catalogue no. 85-002-X. Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2019. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/85-002-x/2019001/article/00017-eng.pdf

Why don’t people report?
It’s not that people don’t want justice, it’s that the system can feel unsafe.

Sexual violence is one of the most underreported crimes in Canada.¹

There are many reasons survivors don’t report:

• Fear of not being believed
• Trauma and confusion
• Power dynamics
• Long, complex legal processes

Support services exist to meet survivors where they are—no matter what they choose. Let’s build communities in Caledon and Dufferin County where survivors feel safe to come forward.

¹ Statistics Canada. “Sexual Assault Incidents in Canada: From the Police to Criminal Courts.” Infographic. Catalogue no. 11-627-M. Ottawa: Statistics Canada, November 6, 2024. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2024051-eng.htm.

While women are disproportionately impacted, men, boys, and gender-diverse people also experience sexual violence.

Many survivors, especially men, are even less likely to report.¹

Prevention means:

• challenging gender stereotypes
• creating inclusive supports
• believing all survivors

Everyone deserves safety. Everyone deserves to be heard.

¹ Conroy, Shana. “Recent Trends in Police-Reported Clearance Status of Sexual Assault and Other Violent Crime in Canada, 2017 to 2022.” Juristat. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 85-002-X. Ottawa: Statistics Canada, April 26, 2024. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2024/statcan/85-002-x/CS85-002-44-6-eng.pdf.

In Canada, 42% of people know a woman who has experienced sexual assault.¹

And yet, many still don’t fully understand consent.

That gap matters.

Let’s keep conversations going in Caledon and Dufferin County, at home, in schools and in workplaces.

¹ Canadian Women’s Foundation. “New Study: Less than Half of People in Canada Know What Sexual Consent Means.” Canadian Women’s Foundation. Published November 22, 2022. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://canadianwomen.org/blog/consent-study/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20Canadian%20Women’s%20Foundation%20study%2C,lower%20for%20people%20over%20age%2055%20(34%25)**

Consent is a clear “yes.” It is ongoing (it change at any time) and never given under pressure.

If it’s not freely given, it’s not consent.

Let’s normalize healthy, respectful communication in every relationship.

Nearly half of Canadians know someone who has been subjected to sexual violence.¹

And people of all genders are affected.

Prevention means:

• better education
• inclusive conversations
• supporting all survivors

¹ Statistics Canada. Quarterly Rent Statistics: Technical Report on Methodology and Assumptions. Catalogue no. 46-28-0001. Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2025. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/46-28-0001/2025001/article/00004-eng.htm.

…stopping violence before it occurs and addressing root causes like: lack of consent education, harmful gender norms and silence and stigma.

In Canada:

• Most sexual violence is committed by someone known to the survivor
• Sexual violence is highly underreported
• Sexual violence affects people of all genders

So prevention has to happen in relationships, friend groups, schools and workplaces.

Sexual violence is not inevitable, it is preventable. When we understand consent, challenge harmful attitudes, and build cultures of respect, we create safer communities for everyone.

Workplaces, educational institutions, and community organizations all play a critical role in prevention. Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to stop harm before it happens.

If your organization is interested in learning more about prevention education opportunities, please reach out to Barbara Mason:

Barbara@familytransitionplace.ca | 519-942-4122 ext. 481

Together, we can build safer, more informed, and more respectful communities across Dufferin County and Caledon.

There are programs available right here in our community that support sexual violence prevention education and help build safer, more respectful spaces for everyone.

One of these initiatives is Coaching Leadership, Equity and Respect (CLEAR), a program delivered to sports organizations and schools across Dufferin County and Caledon.

This program supports coaches, educators, and leaders by focusing on:

• building respectful and inclusive team and learning environments
• strengthening understanding of equity and healthy relationships
• promoting positive leadership and communication
• preventing harassment, discrimination, and violence through education and awareness

By investing in prevention education, we can help shape environments where respect, safety, and accountability are the norm.

And the best part—it’s FREE!

If you would like your organization or institution to participate in this important initiative, please connect with:

Barbara Mason: Barbara@familytransitionplace.ca | 519-942-4122 ext. 481

Together, we can strengthen prevention efforts across our communities.