Halifax Rainbow Encyclopedia: Sexual Safety Inclusive Coalition

In August, 2007, SuzanneBoudreau writes: I am the coordinator of the totally awesome inclusive group that is the Sexual Safety Inclusive Coalition. We are an introductory level activist group that adresses sexual violence. We are inspired by feminist communities everywhere including those feminist communities in Halifax. We also are deeply inspired by various male groups that fight against violence, such as Men Against Rape. Our membership is approximately half men and half women and one transgendered member at about 35 members.

We strongly encourage men and transgendered individuals to come out to our discussions and events. Actually, tonight was one of the few nights that we had mostly women attend - and one of the women mentioned that they would love to have more men out there to understand other viewpoints of the issue we were discussing. We think that no matter someone's gender - if they are not part of the solution then they are part of the problem - when it comes to sexual violence.

WHO!: We have 'inclusive' in our name for a reason, luv's! We want to include everyone, because sexual violence affects everyone, everyone needs to be engaged to end sexual violence, and we love everyone. We think that sexual violence is realted to homophobia, ableism, sexism, racism, and many other discriminations.
WHEN!: As a coalition, we have just started meeting this Summer of 2007. We will be meeting every thursday at the Dalhousie Women's Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This will be at 5:30 pm every afternoon. The more the better!
WHY!: We have formed as a result of very high rates of sexual violence in Nova Scotia (which has higher unreported rates of sexual violence per capita than any other province - according to Stats Canada 2004).

In 2004, 8 percent of women in Nova Scotia (or one woman in 12) reported that they had experienced violence at the hands of their current or former spouse/intimate partner within the pervious five years. This percentage is unchanged from 1999.

One-third of all incidents of sposal violence in Canada (approximately 394,000 cases between 1999 and 2004) were witnessed by children.

According to the 2004 General Social Survey, 11% of Canadian women reported being a victim of criminal harassment (stalking) in the five-year period from 1999-2004. This represents more than 1.4 million females 15 years of age and older who, as a result of the stalking, feared for their life or that of someone known to them. Women in Nova Scotia have the 2nd highest rate in Canada at 12%.

Info from: Statistics Canada. Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics. Family Violence in Canada. A Statistical Profile 2005., Catalogue no. 85-224-XIE. (cited in Avalon Sexual Assault Centre Fact Sheet).

Well, that was a run down on the PROBLEM. We as a Sexual Safety Inclusive Coalition are working towards SOLUTIONS. The key to knowledge is awknowledging how little you know and listening to others and one another. This is what we do. Every thursday we get togather, with a specific discussion topic, guest speaker, or movie. Everyone is given a voice in this safe space, and we value all of our members.

For events, look for the organization name in LocalEvents