May is Sexual Assault Prevention Month in Ontario, and an Eastern Ontario advocate says awareness, consent and bystander action all play a role in prevention.
Erin Lee, a member of the Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee, says the month is about more than raising awareness, it is about changing behaviours and building safer communities.
Lee says understanding consent remains central to prevention and challenging harmful myths is part of that work.
Lee says bystander responsibility is also key, encouraging people to speak up and interrupt harmful behaviour when it is safe to do so.
Lee adds challenging misogynistic language, confronting harmful attitudes and supporting survivors are all part of prevention.
Lee says Sexual Assault Prevention Month is a reminder that ending violence is a shared responsibility and prevention begins with everyday action.
