May is Sexual Assault Prevention Month

Orangeville, Ontario, May 18, 2009 - Each year we lose precious members of our society to sexual assault and domestic violence. May is Sexual Assault Prevention Month and Headwaters Health Care Centre together with Family Transition Place and Dufferin Child and Family Services will be promoting the Sunrise Program to bring public attention to the need for a community driven response to end this crime.

“In November 2008, we launched the Sunrise Program website on Sexual Assault and since we’ve had over 930 visits to our site, says Gloria Campbell, Program Manager, Children’s Mental Health, Dufferin Child and Family Services.

Sunrise Program links community health, justice and social agencies to provide information on sexual assault prevention and support for survivors. “Our goal is for people to gain insight and get involved to stop the violence,” says Lori Miller, Program Director Emergency Services, Headwaters Health Care Centre.

Sexual assault affects families, friends and the community. Sunrise Program’s website, www.sunriseprogram.ca provides resources for survivors, who want to speak with a counsellor, seek medical treatment or would like to press charges.

“We don’t want children and youth to keep secrets about sexual abuse or to feel responsible for being abused. We want them to feel supported, to come forward to talk about what happened. We also want to support parents and families in these abuse situations. We know that how we respond as family and community members is key to an individual’s healing,” says Campbell.

Medical and Crisis Support & Counselling

Sunrise Centre, a private treatment and waiting room in Headwaters Health Care Centre’s Emergency Department provides medical attention from a specially trained team including a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and social worker. If a victim chooses to meet with police an interview can be taped onsite in the privacy and comfort of the Sunrise Centre.

Victims under the age of 18 can access help through the children and youth Sexual Assault Treatment Program at Dufferin Child and Family Services. Adults and adult survivors of childhood assault can receive free 24-hour crisis support and information through Family Transition Place. “Individual and group counselling and workshops provide support to help survivors rediscover their strengths and regain control over their lives,” says Norah Kennedy, Executive Director of Family Transition Place.

“Ending sexual violence requires moving past awareness to responsibility, and taking action,” says Miller.

How to contact the Sunrise Program:

Visit http://www.sunriseprogram.ca/ for more information or call to talk to someone if you are being mistreated or abused.

Family Transition Place                                Dufferin Child and Family Services
24 Hr. Crisis/Info Line: 519-941-HELP (4357)  519-941-1530
or 905-584-HELP (4357)
1-800-265-9178
TTY: 519-942-1651

Headwaters Health Care Centre
519-941-2410 ext. 2214

About Sunrise Program:
The Sunrise Program serving Dufferin and Caledon is funded in part by the Central-West Local Health Integration Network and is managed by a community advisory committee including health care, justice and community agencies. Visit www.sunriseprogram.ca

About Dufferin Child and Family Services:
Dufferin Child and Family Services, an integrated children's agency, advocates for and provides coordinated, quality services for children, families and individuals. Our primary service focus is on children most in need of counseling, support and protection from abuse and neglect, while supporting families in their central role of caring for and nurturing children. Visit www.dcafs.on.ca

About Family Transition Place:
Family Transition Place provides emergency shelter, counseling, second stage housing, legal and transitional support to abused women and their children as well as a 24 hr crisis/info line and skill building violence prevention education for Dufferin-Caledon. Visit www.familytransitionplace.ca

About Headwaters Health Care Centre:
Headwaters Health Care Centre serves more than 110,000 residents in Caledon, Orangeville, Shelburne and Dufferin County. The hospital operates two sites – Headwaters Orangeville, a 108 bed acute care hospital and Headwaters Shelburne, a 33 bed chronic care hospital. Visit www.headwatershealth.ca.

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