A number of education, local police services and social service organizations across Huron and Perth Counties have partnered to launch a new Huron Perth Child and Youth Sexual Violence Support Guide.
The new guide was launched in conjunction with Children’s Mental Health Week and Sexual Violence Prevention Month. A press release from the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) shares that the guide "is designed to support professionals in responding to disclosures of sexual violence involving children and youth and supports timely, coordinated access to appropriate care."
This guide was put together over the last three years following community collaboration. It includes an easy‐to‐follow poster, instructional video and webinar.
The AMDSB adds that the guide is meant to serve as "a starting point for a consistent, community‐wide approach to supporting children and youth under the age of 18 when sexual violence is disclosed."
Victim Services Huron Perth, Artemis Huron and Optimism Place will be leading and advocating this work. According to the release, Statistics Canada reports that youth aged 12 to 17 accounted for 30 per cent of police‐reported sexual assault victims in 2022, though a majority of child sexual abuse goes unreported.
This project was made possible through the following organizations:
● Artemis Huron (formerly Huron Women’s Shelter)
● Avon Maitland District School Board
● Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board
● Huron‐Perth Children’s Aid Society
● Huron and Perth Ontario Provincial Police
● Huron Perth Public Health
● Optimism Place Women’s Shelter and Support
Services
● Stratford Police Service
● Victim Services Huron Perth
