Trauma Talks - a necessary conversation
Did you know? A staggering 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys in Canada experience sexual abuse of some kind. Among youth that have been trafficked, an overwhelming 90% report being previously sexually abused as children.
Despite these sobering statistics, the topic of child sexual abuse is still highly stigmatized and not talked about enough. On May 15, 2024, we hosted our second edition of Trauma Talks, a live event exploring the topic of trauma related to childhood sexual abuse and exploitation as a part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week.
The event featured Stacey Kirkpatrick, who is a psychotherapist, survivor and author, Keith Egli, who is a survivor and former Ottawa City Councillor, Marita Smith, registered nurse and sexual health educator, Carrie Whitely who is a Nurse Practitioner, and François Levert, who is a psychotherapist and survivor.
Derick Fage once again skillfully facilitated the panel discussion and helped make this tough topic approachable. Over 50 community members were on hand for this insightful and meaningful discussion.
Here are some key takeaways from the event:;
1) We absolutely need to talk about childhood sexual abuse and get over our discomfort about the topic. Conversations help drive awarenesss which in turn help with prevention.
2) Trauma manifests in many ways and each person’s experience is unique to them.
3) There is a need for more doctors, health care professionals, service providers, and front line staff to be educated on trauma-informed care.
4) Peer support is extremely effective in healing - there is an implicit understanding between two people who have experienced childhood sexual abuse that provides a ‘safe space’ for sharing.
5) Education is key to reducing instances of child sexual abuse. It takes a community.
Weren’t able to attend? We have you covered! Click here for the live recording.
We are grateful to everyone who supported Trauma Talks through speaking at, attending, and organizing the event.
A special thank you to Department of Justice Canada for funding this event as part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week in Canada.
From left to right: Derick Fage (panel facilitator), Stacey Kirkpatrick, Marita Smith, Carrie Whittley, Keith Egli, and François Levert.
