Executive Director Erin Lee and Victim Advocate Brianne Luckasavitch meet with local officials and Department of Justice Representatives in Mexico
We’ve always believed that small communities can drive big change, and now, that belief is being realized on an international scale! We recently returned from an inspiring trip to Mexico, where we witnessed a powerful milestone for gender-based violence prevention—our See It, Name It, Change It campaign is going global!
A Movement Crosses Borders
This visit was a follow-up to a delegation from Mexico that traveled to Canada in July 2023. While in Mexico, we met with Dr. Rosa María Salazar, a local leader and shelter director, who made an exciting announcement: under her leadership, Mexico will be adapting our See It, Name It, Change It campaign!
The initiative is being translated into Spanish and tailored to fit local customs and traditions to better support women and girls in Mexico. Fundación Luz y Esperanza, a key partner in this work, shared their excitement in a Facebook post:
“We will be adopting the Lanark County Interval House and Community Support campaign… we are inspired by the Canadian approach to raising awareness of gender-based violence against women.”
To say we were moved would be an understatement.
“We were surprised, thrilled, and a bit emotional,” shared our Executive Director, Erin Lee. “But most of all, we are honored that our campaign will now reach communities in Mexico. What an incredible opportunity to help drive change for women. Together, we are making a difference.”
Dr. Rosa María Salazar smiles while holding an LCIH See It, Name It, Change It T-Shirt she was gifted during Lee and Luckasavitch’s visit to Mexico
Global Partnerships for Safer Communities
This international collaboration is part of a project with the Department of Justice, working to strengthen safety measures for women, girls, children, and adolescents in both Canada and Mexico. Our team at LCIHCS has been deeply involved in this initiative, including:
- Hosting a Mexican delegation in July 2023
- Engaging in a virtual exchange with Costa Rica in spring 2024
- Preparing to welcome representatives from Kazakhstan in September 2024
Each connection, each conversation, and each shared idea brings us closer to a world where gender-based violence is no longer tolerated.
Delegates from Mexico and the Department of Justice gather in Lanark County during a visit in July 2023
What is See It, Name It, Change It?
If you haven’t heard of See It, Name It, Change It, here’s what you need to know.
We launched this campaign in 2016 in response to rising rates of violence and femicide in rural Eastern Ontario. It was born out of four community forums where people from Lanark, Lennox and Addington, and Leeds and Grenville Counties came together to take action. In September 2022, we officially relaunched the campaign with a renewed focus—including anti-racism messaging—to reflect the evolving needs of our community.
The concept is simple but powerful—think of it like fire safety’s Stop, Drop, and Roll. When you witness violence, recognize it, and call it out, you’re already taking the first step toward change. This campaign promotes education on healthy relationships, sparks meaningful conversations, and encourages communities to take action to create safer environments for everyone.
Expanding Impact—Ottawa Joins the Movement
The momentum doesn’t stop in Mexico! We are also excited to share that Ottawa Victim Services will be adopting See It, Name It, Change It in November 2024, modifying it for an urban audience.
Currently available in English and French, our campaign will soon be accessible in three languages with the upcoming Spanish translation. We are honored to see the reach of this movement growing.
“Shared learning is the best learning. United, we are stronger,” said Erin Lee.
We know that real change happens when people come together. Whether it’s in Lanark County, Ottawa, Mexico, or beyond, our collective action is what makes a difference.
