Sexual Assault Awareness Month is underway and officials in Chatham-Kent marked the start of the month with a flag raising.
The ceremony was held at the Civic Centre in downtown Chatham on Wednesday, where Executive Director of the Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre Michelle Schryer said sexual assault is "grossly under-reported."
Schryer pointed to Chatham-Kent police data for the entire year of 2022 that showed reported sexual assaults dropped by 27 per cent from 101 to 74 incidents. Schryer said she's not seeing a drop in sexual assaults after Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn highlighted the annual decrease at the ceremony.
"Sadly I'm not seeing any change. I've been at the crisis centre for over 30 years and whether we're talking about sexualized violence or intimate partner violence, I haven't really seen any change," said Schryer. "I'm trying to look on the good [side]. I know sexualized violence continues to be grossly under-reported."
Schryer also believes human trafficking is getting worse in the community because it's so close to the Highway 401 corridor.
She said it's going to take an entire community to end sexual violence and bullying.
"Everyone has a part to play in ending sexual violence," Schryer said.
She also said she has hope for the future because of the goodness shown by many younger people.
"We need to change the hearts and minds and attitudes about people. There are many people who are not valued in the way that everyone deserves to be valued. So, those who are marginalized, those who are struggling, those who are vulnerable become easy targets," she said. "Really, what I want in life is for everyone to be valued and cared for and treated with dignity and respect."
Schryer noted several events throughout the month of May to create more awareness about sexual assault, including a Red Dress event at Ska:na Family Learning Centre in Chatham on Friday May 5, 2023 beginning at 7 p.m. to create awareness about murdered Indigenous women and girls.
The Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre will also hold a virtual event on May 18, 2023 starting at 6:30 p.m. focusing on the culture of sports-related violence and highlighting some of the "hard-learned insights" of a survivor.
On May 20, 2023, there will be a fun Zumba self-care event at the St. Clair College Healthplex in Chatham. Doors open at 2 p.m.
Schryer added that establishments can also display and distribute posters to provoke conversation and raise awareness about sexual assault.
More information about sexual assault and how to report it can be found by clicking here.
