About the Media Information Kit on sexual assault

The Ministère des Communications, de la Culture et de la Condition féminine (MCCCF) commissioned the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) to prepare an online information kit on sexual assault for the media as part of the 2011-2015 Government Action Plan on Gender Equality. The preparation of the kit corresponds to Action 82 of the plan: Prepare a media information kit on sexual assault. The plan states that [TRANSLATION] “there is a need for objective information that is free of sexism and prejudice on the topic [of sexual assault] given the central role the media plays in the public’s understanding of this phenomenon. Appropriate resources should also be put in place.”

This media kit has therefore been designed as a work tool to provide media professionals and media spokespersons with accurate, up-to-date, and in-depth information on the problem of sexual assault.

Purpose and Objectives of the Media Kit

Purpose:

  • Eliminate misconceptions and tolerance towards sexual assault on the part of individuals and society as a whole in Québec.

Objectives:

  • Raise awareness among media professionals and spokespersons about the importance of providing the public with accurate information on sexual assault that is free of sexism, prejudice and sensationalism;
  • Provide the media, spokespersons and the general public with recent evidence-based information on sexual assault;
  • Focus more attention in the news media on the criminal and unacceptable nature of sexual assault;
  • Foster better understanding of the help resources available to the public in the area of sexual assault.

Target groups:

  • Québec news media professionals;
  • Students in journalism and communications;
  • Media spokespersons;
  • Government communications officers;
  • General public.

What is the Institut national de santé publique du Québec?

The Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) is a public health expertise and reference centre in Québec. Created in 1998, the INSPQ aims to advance knowledge and skills, as well as propose cross-sectoral strategies and actions that will improve the health and well-being of the population of Québec.

The INSPQ’s experts come from a range of fields, including applied sciences, health sciences, social sciences and humanities. They work with the health network and the academic and research communities to develop and pool public health knowledge and skills.

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