The SACE Public Education team empowers individuals and communities to take action against sexual violence.
To accomplish this, we deliver presentations, workshops, seminars, and online courses, distribute brochures and educational materials, and attend community events.
By providing information about sexual violence and how it can impact someone who has experienced it, SACE works to counter the normalization of sexual violence in our community, and increase the support available to people who have experienced abuse. The SACE Public Education team also assists organizations in responding to sexual violence through our Institutional Support Program.
How to book
To learn more and to book a presentation with one of our educators, please visit the SACE Booking Requests page.
Community resources
Ask SACE to set up a booth at your community fair or event, or request print copies of SACE resources and other educational materials for your agency or school!
For digital versions, visit our print materials page and Learn page.
The best way to prevent sexual violence is to empower communities and individuals with accurate, non-victim blaming information.
Sexual Harassment & Consent
Grade 7
Non-Consensual Photo Sharing
Grade 7 – 12
Sexual Assault & Consent
Grade 8 – 12
WiseGuyz
Created by the Centre for Sexuality and facilitated by SACE, WiseGuyz is a full-year, in-school, evidence-informed healthy relationships and healthy sexuality program for grade 9 boys and masculine youth.
The program aims to reduce sexual and dating violence, improve mental and sexual health, and decrease homophobic attitudes by creating a safer space for participants to critically examine and deconstruct conventional masculine norms.
Adults Receiving Support from Community Services
Possible topics of interest include: sexual assault information, child sexual abuse information, understanding the experiences of adults who were sexually abused as children, common impacts of trauma related to sexual abuse, and how to support others.
Adults with Developmental Disabilities
SACE facilitators can help give adults with developmental disabilities tools to talk about and identify sexual abuse through discussions about boundaries, healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviours, and how to identify and communicate with those that can provide support.
Community Groups & Programs
Possible topics of interest for adults involved in community groups and programs may include: sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual abuse as it relates to children and youth, creating safer spaces, and responding to disclosures of sexual abuse.
Caregiver Information Sessions
Information sessions can be tailored for parents and legal guardians of children and youth. Possible topics include child sexual abuse, youth and sexual abuse, youth and consent, non-consensual photo sharing, internet luring, and how to respond to disclosures of sexual abuse from children and youth.
Sexual Violence and the 2SLGBTQ+ Community
Who it’s for:
This self-paced online course is for adult members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and adults who are looking to learn more about or provide support to those in the community who have experienced sexual violence.
Racism and Sexual Violence
Who it’s for:
Anyone who wants to learn more about the intersections of sexual violence and racism. The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the connection between racism and sexual violence for the purpose of empowering individuals and communities to enact meaningful change.
Workshops for Newcomer Communities
SACE offers tailored workshops to newcomer, refugee and immigrant communities and their service providers. Possible topics of interest include: Consent in Canada; exploring consent within cultures; sexual violence information; post-traumatic growth and resilience; immigration status and consent; how to support survivors; responding to disclosures; how to report; navigating the legal system; youth, sexual violence & technology; age of consent, and; child sexual abuse information.
Supportive Responses to Sexual Violence
This session can be tailored towards the age group service providers are supporting, and for groups with specific needs such as older adults and people with developmental disabilities. Participants receive an in-depth understanding of child sexual abuse, ages of consent, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. They also explore how individuals may be uniquely impacted by trauma related to sexual abuse, as well as how best to support people who are experiencing these impacts. Specific strategies for responding to disclosures of sexual abuse are explored. Optional activities and role-play scenarios give participants the skills, knowledge, and confidence to address the issue of sexual violence.
SPEAK – Safe Preschooler’s Education and Awareness Kit
This training is designed for professionals who engage in on-going learning with children ages 3-5. Participants receive a SPEAK kit that consists of 12 lesson posters, a training manual, and a puppet. Training includes information on child sexual abuse, potential indicators of abuse, and how to respond to disclosures of sexual abuse from children. Participants also learn how to integrate the SPEAK kit into their daily learning activities.
For more information about SPEAK see For Preschool Children below.
5-Minute Friend
5-Minute Friend is a three hour, highly interactive and industry-specific sexual violence response and bystander intervention training for folks working in nightlife and hospitality environments. The program offers knowledge and skills for identifying predatory or non-consensual behavior and safely and appropriately intervening. 5 Minute Friend is endorsed by AGLC’s Best Bar None Program. To discuss a training, please contact ac.ecas@noitacude.
Youth, Sexual Violence and Technology
This session provides service providers with information regarding youth and consent, internet luring, and non-consensual photo sharing amongst peers. Participants are empowered to respond to instances of non-consensual photo sharing in a non-victim blaming and supportive manner. Optional activities and role-plays are available.
Child Sexual Abuse Information
This session is for people who work with children under the age of 12. We provide participants with an in-depth understanding of child sexual abuse, potential indicators and impacts, as well as how to respond to disclosures from children. Optional activities and role-play scenarios give service providers the knowledge and skills needed to address the issue of child sexual abuse.
Workshops for Older Adults
SACE offers tailored workshops to older adult service providers, including seniors centres, housing organizations, elder abuse programs, recreation resources, caregiver supports, health services, and outreach and support services. This training is designed for professionals and front-line staff who work with older adults. Participants receive an in-depth understanding of sexual violence, navigating disclosures, and how to best support older adults who have been impacted by sexual violence. Information is also provided on cognitive decline and consent, as well as dementia and inappropriate sexual behaviours.
Tailored Sessions
A tailored session can cover a wide variety of issues related to sexual violence and can be adapted to fit into a pre-determined time slot.
With 1 in 2 girls and 1 in 4 boys in Canada experiencing sexual abuse before the age of 18
SPEAK is an essential program that is being used by an increasing number of organizations and schools to address the issue of child sexual abuse in our community. SPEAK is designed to empower children with knowledge about their feelings and their bodies. SPEAK conveys a powerful message to children about their right to grow up abuse free.
The Safe Preschoolers Education and Awareness Kit (SPEAK) was developed by SACE for use with students ages 3-5. The program is designed to provide both the tools and framework for educators to address the issue of child sexual abuse in their classrooms, and the training program to support those teachers and early childcare workers to deliver it effectively. SPEAK four to six-hour long information sessions are facilitated by the SACE public education team, providing preschool and early elementary professionals with information on child sexual abuse, and teaching them how to use SPEAK with their students. During the information sessions our Public Educators offer detailed information on how to identify indicators of sexual abuse, how to respond to children’s disclosures, and how to report child sexual abuse. Facilitators also provide an information session for parents whose children will be learning the kit in their classrooms.
The contents of SPEAK include 12 concept posters, an instruction manual, parent information, a puppet, coloring posters, and instructional activities. Participants also learn how to integrate the SPEAK kit into their daily learning. The purpose of the kit is to give children the tools they need to understand and communicate experiences of child sexual abuse to trusted adults. For children who do not experience abuse, the tools and general life skills will still be of benefit, as the primary messages taught in the kit focus on communication and the expression of feelings. SPEAK will promote affection and caring, and explain to children how to distinguish a good, caring touch from touches that make them feel uncomfortable. Children are encouraged to trust their feelings and to express their feelings. Building self-esteem in children is one of the best ways to protect them against sexual assault, and is also an effective tool in avoiding post-assault shame and self-blame.