Youth 4 Change
The New Attitude
Youth 4 Change was started as a summer youth initiative project in 2009 with the aim of engaging youth to increase awareness of sexual violence among their peer groups.
Through community events and awareness raising initiatives, they are working to empower youth to make a difference in their peer circles and communities by changing the culture that allows sexual violence to occur.
Youth4Change launched a new youth-directed website with the goal of engaging youth around the issues of sexual violence and empowering them to create positive changes in their communities. This site is the first sexual assault and sexual abuse website in Alberta specifically for youth (www.ccasayourworld.com).
Take the pledge
My promise…
I pledge to be a part of the change which is transforming attitudes about sexual violence. I acknowledge that nobody deserves or asks to be sexually assaulted or abused and that everyone regardless of age, gender, race, ability or socio-economic status is entitled to live a life free from violence or the threat of violence of any form. The ONLY person that can prevent a crime of sexual violence from happening is the offender themselves.
I do not and will not treat sexual violence as a joke, because I understand that it normalizes and reinforces a culture of violence. Instead, I will work to support those whom this crime has affected, and reduce the stigma surrounding the issues.
Understanding that sexual violence stems from attitudes that are hurtful towards certain groups and/or communities such as sexism, racism, homophobia, able-ism, heterosexism, classism and ageism, I pledge to challenge these attitudes wherever I find them.
I pledge to engage in only healthy relationships where consent has to be obtained or given before engaging in sex. If I am unsure, I pledge to ask questions and make sure my partner(s) is/are comfortable and consenting to whatever sexual activities may or may not follow. If I am unsure on the laws of consent, I will seek out this information and learn what they are.
In short, I pledge to represent the NEW ATTITUDE towards sexual violence and will work to create a world wherein no one has to live in fear of sexual violence.
By adding my name and e-mail address, I pledge to be a part of the NEW ATTITUDE around the crime of sexual violence.