A new support guide has been launched in Huron and Perth Counties to help children and youth who experience sexual violence.
The Huron Perth Child and Youth Sexual Violence Support Guide was created through a partnership between schools, police services, and community organizations.
The guide is designed to help professionals respond when a child or young person shares an experience of sexual violence. It aims to make sure they can quickly connect with the right support and care.
According to Statistics Canada, youth between the ages of 12 and 17 made up 30 per cent of police-reported sexual assault victims in 2022. Experts say this shows the need for early support and better coordination between services.
Several groups worked together to create the guide, including Artemis Huron, Avon Maitland District School Board, Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board, Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society, Ontario Provincial Police, Huron Perth Public Health, Optimism Place, Stratford Police Service, and Victim Services Huron Perth.
Organizers say the guide is an important first step toward a stronger, community-wide response. They add that the work will continue, with a focus on making sure survivors feel supported and heard.
