Business
Victim Services of Durham Region invites Ontario schools and youth to Youth Violence Prevention Symposium
BY PAUL JUNOR
Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR) is committed to educating and informing young people with the knowledge and education they need to make informed decisions regarding critical issues that affect their lives.
In order to fulfill its mission, it will be hosting its annual online Youth Violence Prevention (YVP) Symposium. It will take place over a two-week period on Monday, February 26th and Friday, March 8th, 2024.It will be geared to Grades: 7, 8 and 9 students who will be able to access it using the online learning platform, Learn Worlds.
VSDR has been active over the years in the Durham Region where it has provided a range of services to help those affected and impacted by crime, or sudden tragedies. It is the only one of its kind that offers specialized services and support 24/7, 365 days per year to these individuals.
Their vision is to have a safe community where people are supported, empowered and thriving. The press release states that they provide trauma-informed, anti-oppressive crisis intervention services, including emotional support, safety planning, and financial assistance. In addition, there are translation services available in over 300 languages to those who need them. Case management services are also available, which assist individuals to bypass bureaucratic roadblocks with available:
subsidized housing, income support, medical and police services.
VSDR provides tailored support to survivors and witnesses of all crimes; 85% of its clients have experienced gender-based violence, including: survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
Some of the programs VSDR offers are:
- Crisis Response
- System Navigation
- Victim Quick Response Program
- Human Trafficking Prevention/Intervention
- Youth Prevention Workshops
- Professional Training
- Hotel Staff Training
The symposium will consist of accessible online modules that will be broken down into educational content, specific videos and in-class activities that are grade specific and align with curriculum targets. The six modules per grade are:
- Consent & Healthy Relationships
- Human Trafficking
- Online Safety, Cyber Bullying and Image Sharing
- Teen Dating Violence
- Gang Violence & Peer Violence
- Empowerment & Self-Care
The following are aims of the symposium:
- Protect and empower young people.
- Engage with issues like human trafficking, consent, healthy relationship, sextortion, teen dating violence, gang awareness, and cyber safety.
- Provide insights on vulnerabilities and risk factors through activities and presentations.
Through partnerships with schools and educators it has been possible to:
- Provide interactive online modules, games and videos.
- Focus on learning in a safe setting.
- Information on where to seek support provided on the event day and beyond.
Since 2020, the annual Violence Prevention Symposium has made a significant impact in the lives of young people as its program evolves from just focusing on Anti-Human Trafficking to issues that reflect emerging youth trends.
Some of the Impactful Results are:
- Youth knowledge increased from 35% to 97%
- Over 300% decrease in the number of youths educated since 2020
- 48 disclosures received in 2023 as a result of symposium education.
VSDR is anticipating great things from the 2024 symposium. They will continue to adapt and adjust the programs and services they deliver in light of the changing landscape and rapidly evolving world of teenagers.