Sexual Assault on PEI

Last year 103 sexual assaults of children and adults were reported to police on Prince Edward Island. Compound this fig- ure with the national statistics that only one in ten people report sexu- al assaults to the police and the number is likely 1,030. As you can imagine, with this high figure in one year, the total number of sur- vivors of sexual abuse and assault on PEI is very high.

Don’t be tricked though, most were not the stranger rapes that get our attention. On Prince Edward Island 15% of these crimes were committed by strangers. Most of the assaults were by family members (30%) and acquaintances (50%)*. In these cases it becomes much more problematic to protect ourselves. form the ones who are supposed to love and care for us.

Sexual assault is any inten- tional use of force against another person involving some form of sexual activity without that per- son’s consent. No one asks to be raped. Sexual assault is an aggres- sive, brutal, degrading and violent crime, not to be confused with sex- ual or romantic desire. People are

raped against their will by violence or the threat of violence, and tragi- cally, every women and child no matter what age, social or econom- ic status is vulnerable to rape.

The PEI Rape/Sexual Assault Crisis Centre is dedicated to providing support to victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse. We provide a 24-hour, 7 day-a- week confidential service, infor- mation on police investigation, medical needs and legal proce- dures, therapy for survivors of sex- ual assault and childhood sexual abuse, and speakers, literature and workshops for public education. We also provide support and infor- mation to family and friends of sur- vivors.

If you are concerned about sexual assault of children and adults on our Island and you would like to help by volunteering on a crisis line, please call 566-1864. Training begins soon.

*Note the perpetrators were unknown by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (branch of Statistics Canada) in the other 5% of the cases.

The University of Prince Edward Island will present its Wind Symphony in recital on Thursday, November 23, 2000, at 7:30 PM at the Dr. Steel Recital Hall.

The 46-member Wind Symphony is under the direction of Dr. Karem J. Simon, who is known throughout the region for his conducting, adjudicating and concertizing. The UPEI- Wind Symphony has received acclaim for its performance standard and innovative programming. While it has toured throughout the mar- itimes, Wind Symphony’s most recent per- formances have occurred in Hampton, and Moncton, New Brunswick.

The programming, for Thursday’s

concert is eclectic, accessible, and entertain- ing. Among the featured works are Gustav Holst’s Mars and David Gillingham’s A Crescent Still Abides. Other works includ- ing Childrens March by Percy Grainger and the fascinating contemporary piece Crystals by Thomas Duffy will be per- formed. Crystals is a very interesting piece that portrays different kinds of stones. This piece uses some uncommon instrumenta- tion such as a lion’s roar and water gong, but also uses one common household item, wine glasses.

Admission for this concert is $5.00 (Adults) and $3.00 Students/Seniors. The public is cordially invited to attend.

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