Nipissing University researchers Dr. Nancy Stevens, Assistant Professor of Indigenous Studies, and Dr. Rosemary Nagy, Professor of Gender Equality and Social Justice, have been awarded a Partnership Engage Grant of $24,829 from the federal Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to further their research into available supports for Indigenous survivors of sexual assault.
The project, entitled “Indigenous survivors, sexual assault services and bridging cultures – a case study”, will examine the Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Service’s history of providing Indigenous-specific supports for survivors of sexual violence. The goal is to help agencies provide more effective therapeutic supports to Indigenous clients in sexual assault centres across Ontario.
“Despite extremely high rates of victimizations, there has been virtually no research or writing done about mainstream community sexual assault centres or services providing culturally appropriate supports to their Indigenous clients,” said Stevens. “This funding will enable us to host some focused discussions with the staff and board of the organization to explore what has been done well, where the challenges lie, and how the supports might grow. It will also allow us to mentor student skills-development in research and writing and build their experience in working with community.”
705BLACKFLY.COM had an in-depth conversation about the special needs of Indigenous victims of sexual assault with Dr. Stevens.
If you have been a victim of sexual assault please reach out for help. Here is a list of available services.
Wellness Together Canada
1-888-668-6810 or text WELLNESS to 686868 for youth
call 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741 for adults
You can also visit Wellness Together Canada to access different levels of support, including:
one-on-one counselling
credible articles and information
self-guided courses and programs
peer support and coaching
Hope for Wellness Help Line
Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect to the online Hope for Wellness chat.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples seeking emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community-based services.
Support is available in English and French and, by request, in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
Crisis support is available to former Indian Residential School students and their families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-866-925-4419 (toll-free).
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis Line
Crisis support is available to individuals impacted by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-844-413-6649 (toll-free).
Kids Help Phone
Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders.
