The Power of Collaboration: Theme of 'Victims and Survivors of Crime Week' this year

Stakeholders who work with victims and survivors of crime came together at a networking luncheon put on by Moose Jaw’s Partners Against Violence Commitee on Monday.  

May is Sexual Violence Awareness Month across Canada, and Mayor Clive Tolley also proclaimed May 12-18 as Victims and Survivors of Crime Week at the luncheon.  

The theme of the week is “The Power of Collaboration,” and the proclamation aims to raise public awareness of the issues victims face and to bring light to resources and laws that can assist those victims and survivors and their families.  

Moose Jaw’s Partners Against Violence Committee works together with the Regina and Area Sexual Assault Centre (RSAC), with one of their collaborations being the establishment of a satellite office in Moose Jaw for counselling those who have experienced sexual violence.  

The non-profit satellite office operates out of Moose Jaw Family Services. While their counselling waitlist is approximately 3 months, they have a 24-hour crisis line available by calling 306-352-0434, or toll free at 1-844-952-0434. You can find more information here.  

Chantelle Priel, public education and outreach coordinator with RSAC, spoke about their “Choose to See” campaign, which is in its third year. The campaign aims to bring attention to often overlooked impacts of sexual violence. 

“A goal of our “Choose to See” campaign is to advocate that to address the express outcomes of trauma, we need to make a commitment to addressing sexual violence as one of the leading root causes of that trauma,” explained Priel.  

She spoke about how she did six weeks of block training with Moose Jaw Police for sexual assault investigations on understanding the impact of trauma and bias.  

“We know that there is a hunger and there is an appetite for this type of knowledge and an attempt to do better, and that is very appreciated. Now we wish to extend that to the court process,” she said.  

RSAC is currently holding a t-shirt fundraiser, with all profits from the sales going to the non-profit organization. You can find a link to purchase here.