Outgoing Executive Director Michelle Schryer is excited about what's coming next for the Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre (CKSACC).
She said she felt fortunate, like she was in the right place at the right time, to be able to do the work she did for so long, but thinks that incoming Executive Director Linda Soulliere has the strengths that are needed for today's issues.
"I am over the moon to have her be here," Schryer said. "She's the perfect person to be here at this point in time," she added.
Schryer is retiring in January after holding the position at the CKSACC for over 30 years, though she said her social justice work goes back more than 40 years.
While dealing with sexual assault and the aftermath it has on people is tough, there are things Schryer will miss about the job.
"The work that happens here day-to-day, that everyone does, that's so important. The involvement I've had for the last 33 years, because I'm not a support and advocacy worker, has been more in the broader scope work. So, legislative change and human rights reform and that kind of thing. In all of that work, I've had the opportunity to be with and walk with some pretty amazing families," she said.
She noted that there have been both victories and defeats in her many years advocating for change.
Schryer recounted a particular piece of legislation she was part of creating with former Justice Minister Allan Rock, which banned the use of the 'drunk defense' as a viable rape defense in court.
She despaired that in the last four years that legislation has been challenged, and people who have committed sexual assault are once again being exonerated because they claim that they were drunk at the time.
"I really am struggling with that," she admitted. "We all know that when it comes to drinking and driving, as a society, we will not tolerate it. Within the justice system that will not be tolerated. And yet, women can be made legal targets of sexual assault if someone is drunk. So, we had that victory, and it was a wonderful victory, and then seeing that loss, it's really hard."
Schryer said she tries to look a the positive side of things such as the strength and bravery she's seen from the women and families she's worked with through the years.
"I feel like hope is really important - really important - in this work. Because you can't just say 'okay, we're done' you've got to keep raising awareness and doing the work."
She added that going forward she believes it's very important that those working to advocate against sexual harassment and violence listen to and connect with young people. "It doesn't matter who you are, you have something to teach others and something to learn from others."
Soulliere agreed with Schryer's call to involve the youth in working to prevent sexual assault. She said she's already working on a program for local high schools, involving both young men and young women. "You can't solve this problem without the male partner," she noted.
"I also have another project that I'm hoping for," she revealed. "That is to see how this community can develop more transitional housing for trafficked women."
Soulliere said it's important to have a place for women to go when they're removing themselves from a bad situation.
"They need to be able to get on their feet. They need to be able to get stable. They need to feel secure and safe. There's a lot of things that could be done here," she added.
Getting funding for new programs and maintaining current ones are Soulliere's priorities as she settles into her new position. "I'm excited about this work," she said.
Soulliere was the Executive Director at the Coalition for Persons with Disabilities in Mississauga for nearly 25 of the 30 years she was employed by the group. She moved to Chatham-Kent with the intent to retire, but found that retirement wasn't for her. "If I'm not busy and I'm not challenged, I feel really bored," she said.
"I may not have as much experience as Michelle in this particular area, but I did do a lot of work with persons with disabilities for many, many years and was a strong advocate when presenting in the House of Commons and doing that kind of stuff," she said.
"I'm sure that I can find my stride here too and do the work with the same passion and honour that Michelle has done up until now," she added.
Soulliere noted that she will have to rely on the staff in the transition, but that a lot of the work is similar to what she's done before as it involves working with vulnerable people.
"I guess my expertise is on the administrative side," she said. "In finding funding and developing programs that would help us with our mandate."
The two women agreed that they share the same vision and passion for working with women and families affected by sexual violence, and both are excited to see what kind of change can be made in the future.
-with files from Paul Pedro
