May is Sexual Violence Awareness Month
LAKELAND – The Dragonfly Centre not only provides free and confidential sexual assault services in northern Alberta, but the organization is also actively engaging communities in conversations around sexual violence, using education as a tool for prevention.
Jessie Heisler, Prevention and community engagement manager for the Dragonfly Centre, which is based out of Bonnyville, says sexual violence is a preventable tragedy.
“It’s a difficult topic, but here’s the hopeful truth - sexual violence is not an inevitable part of life. It is preventable, and by working together through education and community action, caregivers can literally save lives. We can shape safer futures for our children, right here in our small towns.”
Heisler says the Dragonfly Centre has been providing educational workshops and resources to schools and community groups.
“We’re seeing a real difference in how conversations about consent, boundaries, and respect are evolving,” says Heisler.
She says sexual violence is far more common than people realize, even in close-knit rural areas.
The Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services found that nearly half of Albertans have experienced sexual violence, with two in three girls and one in four boys experiencing sexual abuse before the age of 18.
“These numbers aren’t abstract, they represent our daughters, sons, friends, and neighbours,” says Heisler.
Taking action to create awareness around this difficult topic can save many from the trauma of sexual violence, as research shows that prevention is effective in combating sexual violence, she adds.
Teaching kids about “respect, equality, and consent, helps stop violence before it ever occurs,” and that this type of education is like “inoculating our community against future harm,” says Heisler.
Not only does education protect youth from becoming victims, but it also teaches them about consent and prevents them from becoming perpetrators.
“When youth learn about consent, how to recognize abuse, and how to intervene as bystanders, they carry that knowledge into their actions. They become more likely to respect others’ boundaries and to speak out if they see something wrong. Education is literally lifesaving. It spares potential victims from trauma and can even reduce risks like depression or suicide that often follow violence.”
Heisler says communities have responded well to the Dragonfly Centre’s educational programs, with over 9,000 participants attending educational sessions through with the Dragonfly Centre last year.
According to the Dragonfly Centre website, their “goal is for every caregiver or parent to be a trusted, knowledgeable, and resourced adult for the children and youth in their lives.” And Heisler says they are doing that by equipping them with information.
She describes sexual violence prevention as a “community mission” that creates an environment “where abuse has no place to hide.”
“Dragonfly doesn’t just respond after harm happens, we work proactively to build safer communities through education, partnerships with schools, and professional training. This sends a strong message: our communities do not tolerate sexual violence, and we’re ready to act.”
