TO END VIOLENCE WE NEED TO
See It,
Name It,
Change it!
What IS sEE IT, NAME IT, CHANGE IT?
Think of it like the fire safety rule we all know: Stop, Drop, and Roll. It’s that simple.
When you spot violence, and you can put a name to it by calling it out, you’re already taking the first step to make things better.
See It, Name It, Change It is all about starting conversations, learning about healthy relationships, and finding ways to make our communities safer and happier for everyone. It’s something we can all get behind.
SEE IT: What Does Violence Look Like?
Violence is repeated and unwanted actions made against someone else in an effort to have power and control over that person.
Violence Can Include:
- Controlling what someone wears and making comments about it
- Keeping the person away from their friends
- Having to be with them or to know where the person is at all times
- Damaging personal property or throwing objects at them
- Hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, scratching, pulling hair, etc.
- Refusing medical attention or keeping medication from the victim
- Pressuring or forcing a partner to use substances
- Use of weapons, including improvised objects
- Threats, including threats of suicide
- Name calling and blame
NAME IT: How Do We Call It Out?
When faced with a situation where you witness behavior that makes you uncomfortable or scared, it’s essential to consider your surroundings and your relationship with the individuals involved. Have you already reached out for help? It’s crucial to name the behavior in a way that clearly communicates that it is unacceptable. By taking these steps, you play an active role in challenging and changing harmful behavior
How You Can Name It:
Direct intervention in the situation by inserting yourself. Confront the harasser in a direct, respectful manner.
- “Hey, what’s happening?”
- “This is not cool.”
- “You need to stop”
- “That is so inappropriate”
CHANGE IT: End Violence in Your Community
It may require multiple attempts, and, unfortunately, more than one incident; but once you Name It, the conversation about changing it becomes possible. Choice is everywhere. Know what someoptions may include. Know where to find resources and have information available. Know who is safe to turn to.
Help is available, but often folks want to try other things before addressing the issue more formally. That’s okay. Any step towards nonviolent choices is a good one.
Some Tips for Changing It!
- Get people involved – influence in numbers.
- Don’t rant, talk.
- Know your limits.
- Practice before talking to someone if that will help.
- Ask for help.
- Educate others.
- Don’t talk alone if you don’t feel safe. Go with someone else and be the “someone else” for others if necessary.
- Know the local resources and be prepared to share information if it’s needed.
- Listening is always helpful.
- Be prepared to call 911 if necessary.
Being an Active Bystander
When you see violence you must name it in order to change it, but naming it can be hard! It’s important to know how to be an active bystander so you will know what to do when confronted by violence in your everyday life.
Intervening when something is wrong is hard. It’s difficult to know what to say or do to help the situation, rather than making it worse. Lots of times it’s easier to just think it’s none of my business and walk away.
The Context and Motivation behind the campaign
Rural Realities and complexities of Violence
In 2015-2016, Rural Eastern Ontario experienced 7 months of violence. Profound losses occurred with Wilno – September 22, 2015, Almonte – February 10, 2016, Odessa – February 14, 2016, Carleton Place – April 1, 2016, and Shannonville RD – April 16, 2016.
In 2016, a group of individuals from the counties of Lanark, Lennox and
Addington, and Leeds and Grenville teamed up in response to an increase of
violence and murders in rural Eastern Ontario. Action plans were formulated
based on four forums hosted in April 2016, and small groups worked on a
variety of initiatives to increase positive outcomes and safety for victims of
violence.
Rates of police-reported Intimate Partner Violence experienced by rural women are 75% higher than women in urban communities (StatsCan 2019).
Some unique barriers for women in rural communities include:
- Close knit communities
- Abusers’ access to firearms and other weapons
- Lack of access to reliable internet and phone services
- Lack of reliable transportation
- Geographical isolation
- Lack of access to much-needed services
Crisis Calls
Average Length of Stay in the Shelter in Days
Women in Ontario died by Femicide
2022-2023 Statistics
Resources
We are more than happy to provide presentations and resources to teachers, community members, students and business owners.
If you are interested, please reach out to brianne@lcih.com or call 613-253-3336 ext. 227