Never Blame the Victim says YWCA Canada's Rose Campaign

Rose Campaign &16 Days of Global Activism launch on Parliament Hill

OTTAWA, Nov. 25, 2016 /CNW/ - YWCA Canada launches its annual Rose Campaign to end violence against women today on Parliament Hill with a call for Canadians to #NeverBlameTheVictim of sexual assault. Through the Rose Campaign, Canada's oldest and largest women's multi-service association supports the wave of change on sexual assault working to end victim blaming and rape culture and adopt a consent culture.

"We need to shift the stigma of sexual assault so it falls on the attacker, not the woman or girl who is assaulted. It's no more shameful to have been sexually assaulted than to have your car stolen," says Ann Decter, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at YWCA Canada. "With convictions in less than one per cent of sexual assaults, victim blaming and sexual assault myths are rooted in the failure of the justice system. We must have the courage to deal with judges who aren't capable of applying the law of consent and the rape shield law."

"In this time of incertitude and growing social unrest across the world, it is paramount to draw attention to the importance of eliminating gender-based violence by raising awareness at the local, national, and international levels," says Viviana Fernandez, Board Member, at Women in International Security Canada, launching the 16 Days of Global Activism Against Gender-based Violence. "The 16 Days Campaign allows us to reflect on the impact of this problem in our societies, to support all efforts to stop gender-based violence and to call upon our leaders to make the necessary changes to achieve this goal."

"NWAC is currently dedicated to seeking accountability from the Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls as they attempt to address the systems that contribute to the plague of violence upon Indigenous women here in Canada," says Francyne Joe, Interim President of the Native Women's Association of Canada. "Speaking at the press conference to launch the Rose Campaign 2016 and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence  gives me a unique chance to speak not only for the Indigenous women of Canada but to draw attention to the need for more protection for Indigenous women worldwide."

Lise Martin, Executive Director of the Canadian Network of Women's Shelters and Transition Houses, the voice of women's shelters across the country, says, "In the coming year it will be critical that the federal government align its Gender-Based Violence Strategy, its Housing Strategy and its Anti-Poverty Strategy. It's a unique opportunity and one that could make real change in women's lives."

About YWCA Canada:
YWCA Canada is the country's oldest and largest women's multi-service organization. Our 32 Member Associations serve women and girls in nine provinces and two territories. YWCA Canada is the nation's single largest provider of shelter to women and children fleeing violence, the second largest provider of childcare services, and an active member of the World YWCA. For more information visit www.ywcacanada.ca, find us on Twitter @YWCA_Canada or at www.facebook.com/ywcacanada.  

SOURCE YWCA Canada

For further information: For interviews and more information contact Laura Tilley, Communications & Marketing Manager, YWCA Canada at 416.962.8881 x 233