High school students across the Qualicum School District (SD69) were the catalyst for a new Island Health initiative that encourages survivors of sexual assault to seek medical care.
After hearing from Grade 8-12 students in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area, Aimee Falkenberg, co-ordinator of the forensic nurse examiner program for the central and north Island, said it was loud and clear that youth want to end the shame and stigma of reporting sexual assault and empower survivors to trust themselves.
Falkenberg presents to SD69 schools yearly about sexual violence and resources available for survivors. She took information brought forward by students to her manager with the goal of raising awareness about sexual assault. After 18 months of planning and collaboration with Island Health, the #TrustYourself campaign was born.
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Because many people do not report sexual assault, the social media campaign aims to encourage individuals to trust their body and inner voice and seek medical care after experiencing sexual violence.
B次元官网网址淚 was approached by a couple of [students] that had experienced sexual assault and felt as though one of the things that had maybe hindered them from coming forward was the shame and the stigma around sexual assault and maybe they were worried that they wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be believed or they would be viewed in a different way because they had a drink,B次元官网网址� Falkenberg said. B次元官网网址淚 said you know what, youB次元官网网址檙e the voice of the future so what would you like to see around sexual violence to try and give people a voice and empower them to get help? They said they want more positive visual boards that encourage people to come forward.B次元官网网址�
Falkenberg said the campaign aims to use real-life visions of people who experience sexual assault violence as opposed to a stereotypical image of a displaced woman. She said students said they would B次元官网网址渞eally love to be able to see a new change if you were to Google sexual assault you donB次元官网网址檛 see the scared, sad, disempowered woman thatB次元官网网址檚 in an alley that is obviously drunk wearing a short skirt.B次元官网网址�
Trusting yourself, Falkenberg said, is the first step after experiencing sexual violence.
B次元官网网址淨uite often patients that I see come in, they look at me and say, B次元官网网址榖ut I took a drink, it might have been waterB次元官网网址 think someone spiked my drink, I donB次元官网网址檛 remember anything but I feel like something is wrong, I feel like something has happened to me,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 always turn to them and say trust yourself, trust your body, trust your instinct and go in and ask for help if you think something has happened.B次元官网网址�
The campaign was launched at the end of October and has already garnered hundreds of online comments.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 received really great feedback and I donB次元官网网址檛 know if these students have any idea how much of an impact they made just by coming up to me and telling me about their vision,B次元官网网址� Falkenberg said. B次元官网网址淭hey are the voice of the future and they do make a difference and I think itB次元官网网址檚 important that they know that.B次元官网网址�
Falkenberg said itB次元官网网址檚 important for youth to know thereB次元官网网址檚 forensic nurse examiners across Vancouver Island available to help sexual assault survivors.
B次元官网网址淏asically every emergency department across Vancouver Island has a forensic nurse examiner, so we will see all ages, all genders up to seven days post-domestic violence and or sexual assault,B次元官网网址� Falkenberg said. All they have to do is go into any emergency department and ask to speak to a forensic nurse examiner.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 guess,B次元官网网址� isnB次元官网网址檛 consent. If they didnB次元官网网址檛 say yes, you donB次元官网网址檛 have consent. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, get help. Go see a Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE). Here is how to access services:
B次元官网网址� Island Health (@VanIslandHealth)
happens to guys, too. If you have experienced sexual assault or relationship violence go, and see a Forensic Nurse Examiner.
B次元官网网址� Island Health (@VanIslandHealth)
