Two University of Windsor professors have a $2.5 million grant to expand their sexual violence prevention program throughout Canada.
The program, called Girls-Flip the Script with EAAA, empowers girls in high school to avoid acquaintance sexual assault. Charlene Senn, a professor of Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies, and Sara Crann, an Adjunct Professor in Psychology will spearhead the project.
“We know from our previous research that Flip the Script works. Young women in university who participate in the program are significantly less likely to experience sexual assault,” said Senn. “This funding allows us to expand the program’s reach to adolescent girls in the community and gives us the opportunity to work with community organizations to ensure the program can be delivered effectively to even more young women across the country in the future.”
The Public Health Agency of Canada's investment will fund the project over five years. The funds will specifically research how best to deliver the program and evaluate its effects on 1,000 adolescent girls in Ontario and British Columbia.
“Young people deserve to grow up in safe, nurturing environments, free from the fear of violence and abuse, especially in their romantic relationships. By supporting these 11 initiatives, we are giving young people across Canada more tools and resources to foster healthy relationships and build a better, safer future for themselves and their communities,” said Ya'ara Saks, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.
