What is Sexual Violence Prevention Month?
Every May, Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan (SASS), its member agencies, community partners and the Government of Saskatchewan recognize Sexual Violence Prevention Month (SVPM). Sexual Violence Prevention Month is a collaborative approach that unites communities, government agencies, and advocacy groups in a shared mission to end sexual violence in Saskatchewan. SASS extends an open invitation to all residents, institutions, and businesses of Saskatchewan to actively participate in SVPM. Whether through attendance at SASS SVPM events, sharing messages on social media, or taking part in local initiatives, everyone is encouraged to join forces to embrace the vision of a sexual violence-free Saskatchewan.
Why do we need sexual violence prevention?
Saskatchewan has the 2nd highest provincial rate of sexual violence in Canada1.
Reacting to, instead of preventing sexual violence doesn’t address root causes. Sexual violence is costing Canadian taxpayers $4.8 billion per year2.
Every person in Saskatchewan deserves to be free from threat, fear, or experience of sexual violence.
What is causing sexual violence in Saskatchewan?
Sexual violence is caused by many factors, including a high cost of living, limited access to resources, colonization, and unhealthy gender norms.
Among SASS Member Agencies in 2024, the most common concern was how mental health issues and addictions were both the cause and the consequence of sexual violence in our communities.
Key Facts about Sexual Violence and Mental Health & Addictions
In Saskatchewan, 43.1% of survivors of sexual violence increase their use of drugs, alcohol, and medication3.
The rate of sexual assault against Canadians who reported drug use was four times higher than those who did not1.
In Saskatchewan, human traffickers exploit addiction to control others4.
We call upon the residents of Saskatchewan and its governments and organizations to act upon the following truths:
- Sexual violence and addiction fuel each other. They are both cause and consequence—and must be addressed together.
- Sexual violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals can be prevented by dismantling colonial structures and advancing decolonization, cultural resurgence, and Indigenous self-determination.
- Sexual harassment is not harmless—it’s harmful. It causes lasting damage to individuals, teams, and workplace culture. It undermines trust, safety, and dignity.
- Prevention starts with the spaces we shape. Safe, respectful environments protect everyone.
- Collaboration between public-serving agencies is needed to prevent sexual violence.
- Perpetration isn’t born—it’s taught. Let’s unlearn harmful norms and teach respect, consent, and accountability.
Take action today
Share SVPM key messages and resources on social media
Wear an SVPM pin
Attend SVPM events and webinars
Support centres that provide sexual violence support services
Click here to view our Workplace Sexual Violence Prevention Webinar Series
Download the digital toolkit here
SVPM Webinar Schedule – Coming Soon!
Request free SVPM pins and print resources by contacting us at: info@sassk.ca
Together, we can prevent sexual violence.
Thank you to our 2025 SVPM Sponsors
We are beyond grateful for your support of Sexual Violence Prevention Month 2025!
The funds from our generous sponsors allow us to create resources, provide preventive education, support our frontline agencies, and band together passionate businesses, governments, healthcare professionals, educators, and families to prevent sexual violence before it starts.
Platinum Sponsor
SIGA
Gold Sponsors
Sleek Signs
Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN)
Service Hospitality
SGI Canada
Sexual Violence Prevention Month: The Lotus
The logo for Sexual Violence Prevention Month features the Lotus Flower, a symbol of strength and resilience that came to us through a survivor of sexual violence. The Lotus Flower grows through murky, muddy waters, and still turns out beautiful. This beauty despite adversity is a symbol of hope along the survivor’s journey of healing.
SASS recognizes the enormous energy that survivors must spend navigating the conditions and challenges, the murky mud, that allows for violence to occur in our communities. Sexual Violence Prevention Month is our commitment to advocating for the societal and systemic conditions necessary to prevent violence before it begins. The Lotus symbol is a reinforcement that survivors’ courageous spirits are at the centre of sexual violence prevention.
If you want to show your support for survivors and your commitment to preventing sexual violence, you can have free SVPM lotus pins sent to your workplaces, educational institutions, sports organizations, and religious organizations by contacting us at info@sassk.ca .
The funding for the SVPM Lotus design was from the generous donation of an anonymous survivor. Thank you for your donation, courage, and incredible spirit.
Sources
(1) Conroy, S., & Cotter, A. (2017). Self-reported sexual assault in Canada. Statistics Canada.
(2) Josh Hoddenbagh, Ting Zhang and Susan McDonald, 2014. An Estimation of the Economic Impact of Violent Victimization in Canada, 2009. Department of Justice Canada, Research and Statistics Division: Ottawa.
(3) Umereweneza, P., Lovrod, M., Findlay, I. M., & Giesbrecht, C. (2020). Sexual violence in Saskatchewan: Voices, stories, insights, and actions from the front lines. Community-University Institute for Social Research.
(4) RCMP. (2024). Human trafficking: Recognizing and reporting. Know the signs of human trafficking.