Let the Truth Talk

Bow Valley Harmony Project

Let the Truth Talk is brought to you by the Harmony Project, based out of the YWCA in Banff. The Harmony Project brings together local service providers working towards ending sexual violence in our the Bow Valley. Through our collaborative and community-minded approach, our work focuses on Education awareness, Prevention, Training and support for survivors and their family/friends. Our conversations model how our community can engage in important discussions around consent, boundaries and healthy relationships with yourself and others.

  1. 02/15/2024

    Sexual Violence and the Media - Episode 4

    Episode 4 - Sexual Violence and the media     The Harmony Project brings together local service providers working towards ending sexual violence in our community. In our fourth season of Let the Truth Talk, we focus on how sexual violence has been presented in the news. In this episode we talk with Cheryl Wallach from the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS). Our conversation focuses on how the media presents sexual violence and how that can shape societal perceptions, influence public discourse, and ultimately impact the experiences of survivors. We delve into the role of storytelling, representation, and the responsibility of media outlets in fostering a more empathetic and informed understanding of sexual violence. Join us as we explore the potential for media to contribute to positive change and challenge harmful narratives surrounding this sensitive issue.      Below are some resources that we mentioned in the episode:    https://aasas.ca/about-sexual-violence/research-fact-sheets/  https://possibilityseeds.ca/resources/  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/investigations/unfounded-sexual-assault-canada-main/article33891309/  https://www.vox.com/culture/2023/1/10/23547393/andrew-tate-toxic-masculinity-qa  https://www.nextgenmen.ca/  https://momentsmatter.info/      For more information on the Harmony Project check out our website www.harmonyproject.ca    Follow us on social media @ywcabanff       The Harmony Project’s diverse stakeholders through expertise and experience are working together to end sexualized violence in the Bow Valley.  The Harmony Project is funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services on behalf of the Government of Alberta.     If you have questions, comments or want to talk to us at the YWCA Banff, you can email support@ywcabanff.ca         For more information please check out harmonyproject.ca

    32 min
  2. 02/15/2024

    Sexual Violence and the Law - Episode 3

    Episode 3 - Sexual Violence and the Law     The Harmony Project brings together local service providers working towards ending sexual violence in our community. In our fourth season of Let the Truth Talk, we focus on how sexual violence has been presented in the news. In this episode we talk with Lisa Bell from the Calgary Sexual Assault Response Team.  Our conversation is focused on how certain laws have changed in Canada and how they have been presented in the news.  We hope this episode is informative for all our listeners.     Below are some resources that we mentioned in the episode:    https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/service.aspx?id=1962  https://www.alberta.ca/clares-law  Understanding the Extreme Intoxication DefenceVAW Learning Networkhttps://gbvlearningnetwork.ca › briefs › briefpdfs  https://www.huffpost.com/entry/stealthing-sex-without-condom-consent-canada-supreme-court_n_62e5c771e4b006483a9e1745  https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rcmp-stealthing-sexual-assault-1.6062324  https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nonconsensual-condom-removal-stealthing-illegal-california_n_6160c608e4b024dc5280fc8d  https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/15/opinions/stealthing-california-law-michaela-coel-stewart/index.html  https://www.vawlearningnetwork.ca/our-work/briefs/extreme-intoxication-defence-brief.html?utm_source=VAWLN+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=282e65082a-Facebook-Live-Martis_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4b8703155f-282e65082a-269953555  https://www.vawlearningnetwork.ca/our-work/issuebased_newsletters/issue-38/index.html       For more information on the Harmony Project check out our website www.harmonyproject.ca    Follow us on social media @ywcabanff       The Harmony Project’s diverse stakeholders through expertise and experience are working together to end sexualized violence in the Bow Valley.  The Harmony Project is funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services on behalf of the Government of Alberta.     If you have questions, comments or want to talk to us at the YWCA Banff, you can email support@ywcabanff.ca       For more information please check out harmonyproject.ca

    24 min
  3. 02/15/2024

    Sexual Violence in Sports - Episode 2

    Episode 2 - Sexual Violence in Sports     ““Abuse is a dirty hidden secret in sports and what people are seeing is the tip of the iceberg,” Kirsty Duncan, the former deputy leader of government in the House of Commons    The Harmony Project brings together local service providers working towards ending sexual violence in our community. In our fourth season of Let the Truth Talk, we focus on how sexual violence has been presented in the news. In this episode we talk with Joe Campbell from The Alberta Council of Womens Shelters and Abby Spadafora from Gymnasts for Change Canada.   This episode highlights the work of these organizations in how they are working towards ending abuse and violence in sports, changing the culture from the inside out.     Below are some resources that we mentioned in the episode:    https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/hockey-canada-house-of-commons-committee-1.6533439  https://www.crave.ca/en/tv-shows/broken-inside-the-toxic-culture-of-canadian-gymnastics  https://acws.ca/  https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockey-canada-action-plan-combat-abuse-1.6531217  https://www.gymnasts4changecanada.com/  https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/national-judicial-inquiry-athletes-1.6659144          For more information on the Harmony Project check out our website www.harmonyproject.ca    Follow us on social media @ywcabanff       The Harmony Project’s diverse stakeholders through expertise and experience are working together to end sexualized violence in the Bow Valley.  The Harmony Project is funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services on behalf of the Government of Alberta.     If you have questions, comments or want to talk to us at the YWCA Banff, you can email support@ywcabanff.ca     For more information please check out harmonyproject.ca

    40 min
  4. 02/15/2024

    Sexual Violence in the News in the Bow Valley - Episode 1

    Episode 1 - Sexual Violence in the News in the Bow Valley     The Harmony Project brings together local service providers working towards ending sexual violence in our community. In our fourth season of Let the Truth Talk, we focus on how sexual violence has been presented in the news.  In this episode we talk with Staff Sargent Mike Buxton Carr from the RCMP Banff Detachment.      He shares some local stats, concerns felt by many community members and how the RCMP handle sexual violence cases.      Below are some resources that we mentioned in the episode:    https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/national-sexual-assault-rate-highest-since-1996-violent-crimes-up-statistics-canada-1.6538842 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/rcmp-banff-ywca-sexual-assault-domestic-violence-1.6641255 https://www.facebook.com/RCMPBanff/    For more information on the Harmony Project check out our website www.harmonyproject.ca    Follow us on social media @ywcabanff       The Harmony Project’s diverse stakeholders through expertise and experience are working together to end sexualized violence in the Bow Valley.  The Harmony Project is funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services on behalf of the Government of Alberta.      If you have questions, comments or want to talk to us at the YWCA Banff, you can email support@ywcabanff.ca     For more information please check out harmonyproject.ca

    28 min
  5. 05/22/2022

    Episode 4 - Drink Spiking Prevention & Response

    The Harmony Project brings together local service providers working towards ending sexual violence in our community.  Our third season follows along with Sexual Violence Awareness Month which happens each May in Alberta.  This year our theme is “Becoming Upstanders”.    An upstander is someone who recognizes actions, attitudes and beliefs that normalize violence and stands up to and challenges them.  We believe everyone has a role in making our community safe. Knowing how to take a stand against violence and harassment is one way we can create change; together, we can create a Bow Valley that is free from sexualized violence.     In this episode Tara & Tandia talk about drink spiking in the community.  We review Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA's), being upstanders while out in the community & what the Harmony Project has been doing to stop this from happening in the Bow Valley.     Below are some links that we mentioned in the episode:   Western university centre for violence against women and children  - https://www.learningtoendabuse.ca/   Drink‐Spiking and sexual assault: Innovative approaches to a difficult problem    - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230021386_Drink-Spiking_and_sexual_assault_Innovative_approaches_to_a_difficult_problem    If you would like to participate in the free bystander training on May 24th use this link to register https://ywcabanff.ca/programs-services/harmony-project/#communitytraining    For more information on the Harmony Project check out our website www.harmonyproject.ca     Follow us on social media @ywcabanff     The Harmony Project’s diverse stakeholders through expertise and experience are working together to end sexualized violence in the Bow Valley.  The Harmony Project is funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services on behalf of the Government of Alberta.    If you have questions, comments or want to talk to us at the YWCA you can email yps@ywcabanff.ca    For more information please check out harmonyproject.ca

    35 min
  6. 05/15/2022

    Episode #3 - How to stand up to bullying

    The Harmony Project brings together local service providers working towards ending sexual violence in our community.  Our third season follows along with Sexual Violence Awareness Month which happens each May in Alberta.  This year our theme is “Becoming Upstanders”.    An upstander is someone who recognizes actions, attitudes and beliefs that normalize violence and stands up to and challenges them.  We believe everyone has a role in making our community safe. Knowing how to take a stand against violence and harassment is one way we can create change; together, we can create a Bow Valley that is free from sexualized violence.     In this episode we speak with Deren (or Mr D) from Right from the Start. They believe that every child, family and community can maintain and value health and well-being, in its entirety, right from the start.  This episode covers being upstanders in school as well as how someone could stand up to bullying or meanness at school, online, at work or in our community.      Below are some links that we mentioned in the episode:   https://kidshelpphone.ca/     If you are a young person looking for support, please call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868. No issue is too big or too small.  https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/  Be a Super Ally with the 5D's - YouTube video series from Right to Be (formally Hollaback)   https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/sexual-assault-centre/create-change.html#:~:text=The%20pyramid%20of%20Sexual%20Violence,violence%20is%20allowed%20to%20continue.      For more information on the Harmony Project check out our website www.harmonyproject.ca     Follow us on social media @ywcabanff     The Harmony Project’s diverse stakeholders through expertise and experience are working together to end sexualized violence in the Bow Valley.  The Harmony Project is funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services on behalf of the Government of Alberta.    If you have questions, comments or want to talk to us at the YWCA you can email yps@ywcabanff.ca  For more information please check out harmonyproject.ca

    46 min
  7. 05/08/2022

    Episode #2 - #momentsmatter in Sexual Harassment Prevention

    The Harmony Project brings together local service providers working towards ending sexual violence in our community.  Our third season follows along with Sexual Violence Awareness Month which happens each May in Alberta.  This year our theme is “Becoming Upstanders”.    An upstander is someone who recognizes actions, attitudes and beliefs that normalize violence and stands up to and challenges them.  We believe everyone has a role in making our community safe. Knowing how to take a stand against violence and harassment is one way we can create change; together, we can create a Bow Valley that is free from sexualized violence.   In this episode we speak with Corinne Ofstie from the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services – or AASAS.  Corine talks to us about the campaign and how respected and effective leaders keep workers healthy and safe and help stop sexual harassment.  To find out more about the #momentsmatter campaign check out their page here https://momentsmatter.info/    For more information on the Harmony Project check out our website www.harmonyproject.ca     Follow us on social media @ywcabanff     The Harmony Project’s diverse stakeholders through expertise and experience are working together to end sexualized violence in the Bow Valley.  The Harmony Project is funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services on behalf of the Government of Alberta.    If you have questions, comments or want to talk to us at the YWCA you can email yps@ywcabanff.ca  For more information please check out harmonyproject.ca

    37 min

About

Let the Truth Talk is brought to you by the Harmony Project, based out of the YWCA in Banff. The Harmony Project brings together local service providers working towards ending sexual violence in our the Bow Valley. Through our collaborative and community-minded approach, our work focuses on Education awareness, Prevention, Training and support for survivors and their family/friends. Our conversations model how our community can engage in important discussions around consent, boundaries and healthy relationships with yourself and others.