Saskatchewan’s rate of interpersonal violence is double the national average. According to a report from CBC Saskatchewan, Regina Police Service investigated 207 sexual assaults in 2021, up from 192 in 2020 and an increase of 70 per cent compared to 2012, according to the force’s 2021 crime statistics. Officers investigated 443 sexual violations in 2021, a jump of 10.5 per cent over the five-year-average of 401, according to the Saskatoon Police Service 2021 Business Plan Year End Report. In 2021, 258 sex crimes were reported to Regina Police Service, but the statistics show us that most sexual assaults go unreported.
We know that things won’t change until we all stand up and do our part to build awareness, challenge the stigma, and change the story for sexual assault survivors, so nobody is ever made to feel like an assault is their fault. This year, we are asking our community to #ChooseToSee:
#ChooseToSee that so many women feel afraid to walk alone at night
#ChooseToSee that victim-blaming comments continue to silence survivors
#ChooseToSee that every one of us can speak up against harmful actions
We ask that you join us in spreading this message, and being part of the change!