Press Release – One Billion Rising

Sexual Assault Response Committee (SARC) & The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society (MHWSS) Continue the “One Billion Rising” Movement to End Violence Against Women, Men, and Children

ABOUT 1 BILLION RISING: Since 2012 a worldwide movement has aimed to shake the Earth through dance, drums, and the power of our voice. One Billion Rising, an annual campaign every February 14^th bringing awareness to gender-based violence, is entering its third year with the theme of “My Revolution.”

1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or sexually assaulted during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls (www.onebillionrising.org). This shocking statistic has driven women and men around the globe to take a stand and speak out about the violent acts suffered by so many mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends.

Each year on February 14^th women and men from all corners of the planet are encouraged to join in the movement in their own personal way. Some create choreographed dances (flash mobs), others write their reason to rise on posters, and some organize full-scale peaceful protests at government buildings in the hopes of motivating policy and law changes.

LOCAL ACTION: The Sexual Assault Response Committee (SARC) and the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society (MHWSS) are encouraging everyone, not only women, to begin their own revolution to end violence against women. “One billion women and girls encounter sexual and/or domestic violence worldwide. In Canada, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience sexual violence before the age of 18. This is unacceptable. It’s time to change,” says Christina Johnson, Regional Coordinator for SARC. “A revolution is anything that challenges the status quo. These can be big actions like wars and protests but it can also include individual things like telling a friend a sexist joke wasn’t funny or stepping in to help someone who is being bullied,” adds Jamie Evans, Public Education and Awareness Coordinator for MHWSS.

Starting today, people can share their revolution with us through social media. Post your videos and pictures to our Facebook and Twitter pages and join the movement!

GET INVOLVED: Videos and pictures can be shared on Twitter using @SARCmedicinehat or @MHWomensShelter using the hastag #1BillionRising. To share on Facebook, visit our page Sarc Medicine Hat. Contributions can also be emailed to SARC and we can post it for you!

For more information please contact:

Richelle Oerlemans, Communication and Administrative Specialist

Sexual Assault Response Committee

PH: 403-504-8026       

Email: sarccommunications@gmail.com