In early childhood children learn problem-solving, emotional management, and social skills that form the basis of their relationship later in life, and it is also the time when children form views on gender roles, relationships and the acceptability of aggression and violence. Children learn much of this from the people around them, so it is essential that positive parenting and home environments free from violence (WHO, 2007)
Child sexual abuse violates a child’s physical and emotional boundaries. Therefore, children need a sense of healthy boundaries and body ownership in order for them to know the difference between “okay” and…
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Once again in media we see the importance of language in telling a story. It sometimes seems that the community and media together are hesitant to come out in support of a survivor of sexual assault and yet very quick to criticize and be skeptical of a survivor’s report of the abuse that happened.
It is time to stop victim blaming language and educate ourselves on the laws of consent, the difficulty in not only bringing charges forward in a sexual assault case but the reporting by a survivor and to understand what constitutes a sexual assault.
In the…
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As unfortunate as this story is, it is one that needs to be told. In the town of Cole Harbour Nova Scotia, perhaps normally best known for being the hometown of star hockey player Sidney Crosby, a 17 year old girl took her own life due to the depression that she experienced as a result of a sexual assault she experienced a little over a year ago.
In light of stories over the recent months a lot of attention has been drawn on incidents of high school boys sexually assaulting girls at parties and the harassment and judging that…
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There are many types and styles of relationships, including sexual relationships; casual, monogamous, long-term and exclusive etc. These relationships can be caring, loving, distant, abusive and can have any combination of these qualities.
One’s own needs and wants in sexual relationships can evolve over time and each person gets to decide what’s comfortable for them. In any case, each person’s relationships and sexuality should make them feel better about themselves and add quality to their life.
Talking about our sexual needs and desires can be frightening and uncomfortable, even within a loving and trusting relationship. Lots of people grew up…
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“Turning a human being into a thing is almost always the first step towards justifying violence towards that person.” – Jean Kilbourne
The idea that women are objects has been strongly linked to gender based violence. Viewing any person or group of people as less than whole human beings who are intelligent, emotional, spiritual and physical allows us to begin to disregard and disrespect their needs, goals and personal agency. When women are viewed as sexual objects, it creates a climate where sexual assault is justified or even viewed as a form of flattery. Messages that convey female submission to…
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