It is Victims and Survivors of Crime Week and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
With that in mind, the Saint John Police Force is supporting survivors of sexual violence.
The force will do this through the Women’s Empowerment Seminar.
“We wanted to organize an event that can also have an element of resource provisions, hear from survivors of sexual assault and violence … and then for the second half of the event move into a self-defence piece,” said Laurett Nwaonumah, wellness and crisis intervention coordinator for Saint John Police.
Originally, organizers were going to restrict the age to 15 to 24 as that age group experience the highest rates of sexual violence in their lifetime.
“So initially we restricted the age group to 15 to 24, but now because of the result of public questions and inquires we’ve opened it to all age groups,” mentioned Nwaonumah.
The seminar is a partnership between the Saint John Police Force, the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force, and the Saint John Police Association.
The seminar includes speakers who will share lived experiences and feature self-defence training. Lunch will be provided and seating is limited.
Anyone interested can register by emailing police@saintjohn.ca. Remember to leave a name and a telephone number while registering.
