Malt City is one of 10 downtown Regina restaurants using new drink coasters to warn against victim-blaming survivors of sexual assault.
“They are very out there,” Malt City manager Jason Canfield said Wednesday.
The coasters are double-sided, with “#NeverBlameAVictim” on one side, and, “Not asking for it” written on the other. They’re in local pubs as part of a national campaign by the YWCA for sexual assault prevention week.
“There is drinking going on there, and that’s one of the easiest ways to blame a victim is that they’ve drank too much and they’ve put themselves in a risky situation,” said Kendra Strong-Garcia, senior director of programs at the YWCA of Regina.
The number of sexual assaults in Regina is on the rise. According to police, reported sexual assaults went up by 16 per cent from 2015 to 2016. In Saskatchewan, the reported rate of sexual assault is almost twice the national average.
These are only the reported numbers of assault. Strong-Garcia said victim-blaming can prevent people from speaking out.
“They’re scared to come forward because a fear that they will be blamed for the assault,” she said.
The campaign also features a web video that shows the weight victims bear after an assault. While the coasters are a more subtle reminder. Canfield said he thinks they’ll have a big impact.
“Everybody looks at their coaster when they have a drink. It’s right in front of you,” Canfield said.
While the coasters will only be out until the end of the week, the Strong-Garcia hopes their message will keep the conversation long after the awareness week comes to an end.
