About the Sexual Violence section

Information on sexual violence has been synthesized by the INSPQ upon request of the Secrétariat à la condition féminine, and is based on both scientific and grey literature. Readers will find accurate, up-to-date and in-depth information on sexual violence. This section of the INSPQ website was originally known as the Media Kit on Sexual Assault.

Objectives

  • Improve understanding of sexual violence, its various types, risk factors, consequences, specific facets of the problem and strategies to prevent it.
  • Inform about the extent of sexual violence, the laws, the legal framework and judicial process and the resources available for victims of sexual violence.
  • Raise awareness about the importance of providing the public with accurate, non-stereotyped and gender-neutral information on violence, and promote understanding of the best practices in this area.

Target groups

All sections target public health authorities at the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux and regional public health departments, health and social services network professionals, and community workers. Researchers, students, journalists and the general public can also benefit from this information.
Some sections, however, are intended for specific audiences:

  • the Sexual violence and the media section is intended for news media professionals such as journalists, journalism and communications students, and people working in the public arena (e.g. web content editors).
  • the sub-section Receiving a disclosure of sexual violence is aimed at people who are or could be faced with this situation.
  • the Resources section is aimed at victims and survivors of sexual violence, perpetrators and their loved ones;

Background

In 2011, 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.”

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