Forum to discuss varying response of victims to assault

Shelley Curtis-Thompson thinks people often have preconceived ideas of what people should look, sound and act like after sexual violence.

“In reality, there isn’t a right way to respond if you’ve been victimized,” the executive director of the Pictou County Women’s Resource and Sexual Assault Centre said.

To help understand how people deal with this kind of trauma, on Friday the centre – along with other local agencies – will hold a day-long forum at Summer Street Industries entitled Trauma’s Impact on Victim Response.

Keynote speaker Nakita Archibald, a sexual violence therapist, will talk about the science behind it.

Curtis-Thompson said the forum is part of a new initiative by the Pictou County Support Network – a partnership between Family Services, Pictou County Sexual Health Centre, Tearmann Society, and Pictou County Women’s Resource and Sexual Assault Centre – called MORPH, which stands for Mapping Our Road to Power and Healing.

MORPH aims to support and empower people living in Pictou County who have been affected by sexual violence, by co-ordinating and providing necessary services so victims/survivors have the tools needed to begin to heal and regain control of their lives.

“We think it’s really important to create opportunities to have conversations about sexual violence,” said Curtis-Thompson.

The idea for the forum was also born out of response to Slut the Play, presented by the women’s centre in December and then again in March, with the community indicating a larger discussion about the topic is needed. Cast members will perform dramatizations during Friday’s forum.

“It will be a great opportunity to come together and listen to one another and to raise awareness… by talking about things that are hard to talk about,” said Curtis-Thompson.

She said anyone interested in talking about sexual violence and how it impacts the community would benefit from attending, as they learn more about how people are affected by trauma.

“It will help them understand what happens if they themselves become victimized – make sense of it,” she said, adding that it will also be useful for anyone who knows someone who is a victim “to be a listening ear and help guide them to places where they can receive professional support.”

The afternoon will focus on discussing other topics around sexual violence such as the court system.

Pre-registration is required, with limited spots still available. Call 902-755-4647.