Women's Sexual Assault Centre

Published purpose

This 30-month project will adapt, implement, and expand a Rural Women Project model previously developed by Renfrew County Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Support Centre to more communities in Renfrew County and share it provincially to address the root causes of gender-based violence. Renfrew County Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Support Centre will achieve this by (1) adapting and testing the “Survivor Awareness Program” (SAP) using the survivor advocacy journal as a core resource; (2) invigorating and enhancing the Community of practice-led survivor events; and (3) initiating and fostering relationships with allies to increase networks and collaboration through the “We Stand with Survivors” banner initiative during sexual assault awareness month. At the end of the project, the organization will have (1) disrupted harmful gender norms, victim-blaming, and support survivor voices to ensure those with lived experiences are part of their own solutions; (2) increased pandemic recovery collaboration alongside businesses in Renfrew County, and disrupted stigma and silence about sexual violence; (3) increased networks and collaboration to accelerate systemic change addressing rural sexual violence nationally. This project will engage community businesses and practitioners, and women with lived experience from the Renfrew County communities in each component of the project. The effectiveness of the recovery model will be carefully documented through ongoing evaluation.