Young Women Unite - Virtual Symposium Educates Our Community's Young Women
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On Saturday, March 27, 2021 over 360 young women (and youth who
identify as female) attended the YOUNG WOMEN UNITE Virtual Symposium. Organized by
Brantford Police Service, in partnership with Nova Vita Domestic Violence
Prevention Services, the Brant County Health Unit, Victim Services of Brant and
Six Nations Police, the Young Women Unite virtual symposium provided valuable
health and safety information to our community’s young female population.
Girls, women, and those who identify as female,
between the ages of 13 and 19, who reside in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand and
Norfolk counties, Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit
First Nation were all eligible to participate, receiving a $45 gift card as incentive
for their participation. Adding to the excitement of the event, numerous prizes
including bursaries for post-secondary education were randomly provided to
attendees throughout the 90 minute long event.
The Symposium featured knowledgeable and
experienced female speakers from partner agencies who lead discussions related
to topics ranging from healthy relationships, general health and well-being,
and human trafficking.
Funding for the event was provided through the
Community Safety and Policing Grant awarded to Brantford Police Service from
the Ministry of the Solicitor General. This grant has allowed Brantford Police Service to collaborate with
multi-sectoral partners including Nova Vita, to embark on a comprehensive
anti-human trafficking strategy, implementing strategies ranging from prevention
to an enhanced effort between police and victim services. The initiative provides a strategic,
multi-dimensional approach to reduce victimization and identify victims and
those vulnerable to become victims of human trafficking.
Anyone, from
any walk-of-life, can be a target for human trafficking for the purposes of sex
trafficking or labour trafficking. However, in Canada, women and girls are at
greatest risk, as well as individuals from certain populations, such as
Indigenous women and girls, new immigrants, children in the child welfare
system, persons living with disabilities, LGBTQ2 persons, and those struggling
socially and/or financially. Better understanding the facts about human
trafficking, who is at risk, how traffickers recruit and exploit victims, and
what signs to look for is a major step in helping to fight this widespread and
often invisible crime.
"Although Human
Trafficking can be hard to see, it is happening in communities like ours all
across Ontario. Events like this are important to educate our youth and help
change mind-sets. I would like to thank the Ministry of the Solicitor General
for providing the funding opportunity to allow us to bring this event to the
community. I would like to thank our partner agencies: Nova Vita Domestic Violence
Services, the Brant County Health Unit, Victim Services of Brant, Six Nations
Police Services and the members within the Brantford Police Service who have
dedicated an immense amount of time and energy on this collaboration which will
have great benefit to all of our communities.” – Chief
Rob Davis, Brantford Police Service
Image: Young Women Unite Poster
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