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Young Women Unite - Virtual Symposium Educates Our Community's Young Women - News

Young Women Unite - Virtual Symposium Educates Our Community's Young Women - News

Young Women Unite - Virtual Symposium Educates Our Community's Young Women - News

Young Women Unite - Virtual Symposium Educates Our Community's Young Women

Mar 27, 2021

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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