Stop Ignoring Male and LGBT Victims, Ontario Government Violence Committee to Be Told Today

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 01, 2015) - The Ontario Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment will be challenged to broaden its scope to include all victims of violence, even those who do not fit our stereotypes: male victims, female victims of female-perpetrated violence and victims of violence in same-sex relationships.

The Canadian Association for Equality, the "men's issues" educational charity currently running a Violence Against Men billboard campaign, will present before the Committee today, Wednesday, April 1st at 4:40PM and at 5:40PM. The Committee will hear from a female victim of female-perpetrated sexual violence, a male survivor of a long-term abusive relationship who was mocked by police, and a man who experienced childhood sex abuse.

One in six boys and men have been sexually abused or assaulted, amounting to 3 million Canadians. "The Premier's initiative recognizes that 'sexual assault can and does happen to anyone,'" said CAFE President Justin Trottier. "We know violence spans all ethnicities, ages and socioeconomic status. But it also spans all genders and sexual orientations. And It's Never Ok."

CAFE supports the Committee's efforts to shift social norms and break barriers that prevent victims from getting help. "But when we ignore victims because they fail to conform to our preconceived beliefs, we instead consolidate social norms, leaving victims stigmatized and children in danger," said Trottier.

The Committee is asking #WhoWillYouHelp. Today, the Canadian Association for Equality will ask them to help every victim.