Hope 24/7, the designated Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Centre in Peel Region is running what is thought to be the first event in Canada for women to anonymously report a sexual assault incident to a third party rather than police. The event is open only to women/women identifying individuals. It is being held at the Hope 24/7 office at 10 Gillingham Drive in Brampton on Wednesday December 11th between 9am and 9pm. Child minding is available.
Laura Zilney who runs Hope 24/7 says that ” there is a growing issue of sexual violence in Peel Region that is very concerning especially as the reporting rate in the region is only 0.06% compared to a national average of 5%.” She says that the low reporting rate demonstrates the lack of awareness of the issue in Peel as well as the misogyny that is present. On average, 39% of Canadian adult women reported having had at least one experience of sexual assault since the age of 16.
The organization is also recruiting female volunteers 18 years and older to help make a difference in the lives of sexual assault survivors. Volunteers will be trained in writing third party reports for sexual assault survivors. The training schedule provided a the time of this article is listed below.
Volunteers can register at: http://hope247.ca/get-involved/volunteer/
- Tuesday November 26, 3-5pm
- Wednesday November 27, 9:30-11:30am
- Friday November 29, 2-4pm
- Tuesday December 3, 6-8pm
- Wednesday December 4, 6-8pm
Contact Hope 24/7 at:
Website: http://hope247.ca/
Phone: 905-792-0821
If you are in crisis call: 1-800-810-0180
