After listening over a 1,000 Nova Scotians who spoke out to help build a new provincial strategy, Premier Stephen McNeil says that only collaboration will change attitudes.
Nine community support networks will co-ordinate counselling and support, boost the visibility of services and help with navigation, said Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard.
Speaking at the Nova Scotia Community College Kingstec campus at the launch for Breaking the Silence: A Co-ordinated Response to Sexual Violence in Nova Scotia, Bernard said no single experience or organization can offer all the necessary services to complex issues.
The networks will be accessible, tailored to local needs and operate through a trauma-informed lens in order to provide compassionate care, she added.
"Living in a rural area can create barriers, but with our partners, the Red Door Youth Health and Support Centre is able to support youth, women, men, children and the LGBTQ community," said Tara Newcombe, the co-chairwoman of the Red Door in Kings County.
She said there will be a focus on youth to shift the current culture of sexual violence.
"We recognize the importance of engaging youth to truly shift the current culture of sexual violence,” Bernard said.
“In addition, inviting youth to voice their thoughts on how to improve support services will inform our local demonstration project as well as the larger provincial sexual violence strategy."
Better co-ordinated supports for victims, more public education and awareness and continued community engagement on prevention are among the approaches in Nova Scotia's first sexual violence strategy.
"We need to keep these conversations going and make sure we reach out to people whose voices need to be heard," Bernard said.
It can’t be done by just one group or organization, added McNeil.
"Sexual violence is a traumatic and pervasive problem in all of society and our province is no exception," said McNeil. "This strategy calls on Nova Scotians to work together to better understand and prevent sexual violence in our communities."
Angela Johnston, who was hired almost a year ago to lead one of five demonstration efforts across the province, was delighted by the announcement. She leads the Sexual Violence Project, which is based out of the Red Door in Kentville.
Some of the actions the province has planned over the next two years include:
-- Helping people get urgent support faster through existing crisis lines, online and other new technologies;
-- Expanding the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program in Sydney and western Nova Scotia;
-- Establishing a prevention innovation fund to support best practices, research and evaluation.
Last December, government released a summary of what Nova Scotians said during meetings and through an online survey. In April, a summary of youth engagement responses was also released.
This month, two provincial committees on training and public awareness have been appointed. A new provincial specialist has also been hired to co-ordinate work on the strategy.
The 16-page document is available online.
After listening over a 1,000 Nova Scotians who spoke out to help build a new provincial strategy, Premier Stephen McNeil says that only collaboration will change attitudes.
Nine community support networks will co-ordinate counselling and support, boost the visibility of services and help with navigation, said Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard.
Speaking at the Nova Scotia Community College Kingstec campus at the launch for Breaking the Silence: A Co-ordinated Response to Sexual Violence in Nova Scotia, Bernard said no single experience or organization can offer all the necessary services to complex issues.
The networks will be accessible, tailored to local needs and operate through a trauma-informed lens in order to provide compassionate care, she added.
"Living in a rural area can create barriers, but with our partners, the Red Door Youth Health and Support Centre is able to support youth, women, men, children and the LGBTQ community," said Tara Newcombe, the co-chairwoman of the Red Door in Kings County.
She said there will be a focus on youth to shift the current culture of sexual violence.
"We recognize the importance of engaging youth to truly shift the current culture of sexual violence,” Bernard said.
“In addition, inviting youth to voice their thoughts on how to improve support services will inform our local demonstration project as well as the larger provincial sexual violence strategy."
Better co-ordinated supports for victims, more public education and awareness and continued community engagement on prevention are among the approaches in Nova Scotia's first sexual violence strategy.
"We need to keep these conversations going and make sure we reach out to people whose voices need to be heard," Bernard said.
It can’t be done by just one group or organization, added McNeil.
"Sexual violence is a traumatic and pervasive problem in all of society and our province is no exception," said McNeil. "This strategy calls on Nova Scotians to work together to better understand and prevent sexual violence in our communities."
Angela Johnston, who was hired almost a year ago to lead one of five demonstration efforts across the province, was delighted by the announcement. She leads the Sexual Violence Project, which is based out of the Red Door in Kentville.
Some of the actions the province has planned over the next two years include:
-- Helping people get urgent support faster through existing crisis lines, online and other new technologies;
-- Expanding the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program in Sydney and western Nova Scotia;
-- Establishing a prevention innovation fund to support best practices, research and evaluation.
Last December, government released a summary of what Nova Scotians said during meetings and through an online survey. In April, a summary of youth engagement responses was also released.
This month, two provincial committees on training and public awareness have been appointed. A new provincial specialist has also been hired to co-ordinate work on the strategy.
The 16-page document is available online.
