Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

It is estimated that 1 in 3 women/girls and 1 in 6 men/boys in their lifetime will experience some form of sexual violence either in childhood or in their adult life. Young adults are generally most at risk, but it can happen at any age, and it's been going on for many, many years. A new facility, the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre (CSAC) in Lethbridge at 740-4 Avenue South is now open. It offers services to all people of all ages, no matter how they identify sexually. Some of those services include crisis support, victim advocacy, and counselling. Some forerunners, such as Lethbridge Family Services and the YWCA with its Amethyst Program, has dealt with sexual violence for many years, but CSAC is about having people be able to identify with one source, so they know where to go. The speaker will focus on the current state of sexual violence in our world with particular focus on Canada, the economic impact of the crime and contributing factors that support its existence. We will continue to explore the ways i