January is Sexual Assault Awareness Month but due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, events usually hosted to promote the message have had to go virtual.

But that doesn鈥檛 mean the events, which focus on violence faced at home, will go unnoticed.

Organizers with the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society (COEFS) and UBCO鈥檚 Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) said this is especially important now, as calls for service have increased.

COEFS victim services worker and team lead Samantha said since the pandemic started and more people have had to stay home, the number of people calling in to ask for help and those using their services have skyrocketed.

鈥淛ust this past summer, especially in July, we鈥檝e seen some of our highest numbers ever,鈥� she said.

鈥淥ur numbers are skyrocketing and have pretty much stayed consistent since then鈥� we also see an increase during the holidays, especially in January, and we鈥檙e seeing that now.鈥�

She said that overall, they鈥檝e seen at least a 30% increase in new clients coming to COEFS for help.

Samantha said now more than ever, it is important to highlight issues of sexual assault especially as many people aren鈥檛 able to physically check in on their friends and family because of the pandemic.

鈥淲e need to shed a light on this鈥� because sometimes, those in your bubble, those you鈥檙e isolating with, they鈥檙e the ones who are abusing you.鈥�

She added this is why it鈥檚 important to make sure you have a select group of trusted people with who you know you can talk about your situation. Another tip she gave is having a code word with your safe group that will let them know what you need when you need it.

鈥淏ut it鈥檚 just all so individualized so it鈥檚 hard to say that there鈥檚 a one-size-fits-all way to get out of an abusive situation.鈥�

鈥淎nother big thing is to get connected to resources like us, the 91大黄鸭 Women鈥檚 Shelter, Mamas for Mamas, and other places like this. We will listen to your specific situation and come up with a unique plan that would be safe for you,鈥� Samantha said.

And if you suspect that your friend or loved one may have been assaulted or may be in an abusive relationship, Samantha said the best thing you can do is be there for them, listen to their story, and help them connect to resources.

Another important thing to do is to learn ways on how to prevent sexual violence as well.

For more information on sexual violence and UBCO鈥檚 virtual events, visit.

To access help through the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society, you can call them at 250-763-4613. More information can be found on .

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