3^rd Annual Shine the Light on Safety

Choices, Changes and Healing – Allies in Safety

November 26^th, 2025

5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

198 Morison Ave. Parksville

Everyone Welcome!

About the Event:

16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence runs from November 25^th The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to December 10^th Human Rights Day.

The Shine the Light on Safety event was developed to raise awareness of gender-based Violence within Oceanside. This community walk through downtown Parksville is a chance to stand in solidarity with survivors, raise awareness, and share ways we can all help reduce harm and foster safety. Everyone is welcome—your presence matters.

What Does It Mean to Be an Ally for Safety? Being an ally means actively working to create safer communities for everyone.  It means:

• Shifting the responsibility away from women and placing it where it belongs—on those who choose to harm.
• Challenging harmful thinking patterns and cultural norms that normalize violence.
• Encouraging men to lead change—to speak up, support one another, and protect those who are vulnerable.
• Standing up for boys who have experienced harm and ensuring they are seen, heard, and supported.
• Promoting positive behaviour by calling in respect and accountability, rather than only calling out harm.
• Using privilege to advocate for change and speaking out against violence.
• Recognizing that sexual violence is not just women’s issues—it is men’s issues too, requiring responsibility and accountability.
• Using active language that names the issue clearly rather than passive phrases that mask responsibility.

Why Does This Matter? Gender-based violence is a serious and growing issue:

• In 2024, there were 26 sexual assaults reported in the Oceanside area and by early November in 2025, there has been 23 sexual assaults reported.
• In BC, reported sexual assaults rose from 2,707 in 2013 to 4,458 in 2023.
• Across Canada, 1 in 3 women have been sexually assaulted against, with 4.7 million women affected since age 15.
• 90% of police-reported sexual assault victims are women and girls.
• In BC, 37% of women over 15 have been sexually assaulted. Rates are even higher for minority groups.
• Young girls and women are often targeted for explicit images or videos.
• Men and boys are also impacted. Young males are more vulnerable to online sextortion for money. In 2024, where gender was identified, 83% of sextortion victims were male (Cybertip.ca, 2025).
• 11% of men in BC have experienced sexual assault. Rates are higher among minority groups.

We encourage everyone to learn more, speak out, and take action. Together, we can build a community where safety, respect, and dignity are the norm.

Promoted by Sources Oceanside Anti Violence Team – STV (Stopping the Violence), PEACE (Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling, Empowerment) and MISAS (Mid-Island Sexual Assault Services).

Program Response Line 250 228 2273 (CARE) for MISAS

dr_kim_stantons_june_2025_final_report_-_independent_systemic_review__the_british_columbia_legal_systems_treatment_of_intimate_partner_violence_and_sexual_violence.pdf

https://cybertip.ca/en/online-harms/sextortion/