Men’s Program Marks Sexual Assault Prevention Month

May 20, 2026

Owen Sound, ON – May is Sexual Assault Prevention Month in Ontario, an opportunity to raise awareness about how prevalent and devastating this violence is and to let people know that there are local supports for survivors.

Sexual assault – and sexual violence more generally – continues to be shrouded in stigma and silence. According to Statistics Canada data from 2019, only 6% of people who experienced sexual assault reported to police. There are many barriers to reporting sexual violence including fear of not being believed or being blamed, distrust of the justice system and the publicity of court proceedings, and complicated relationships with the perpetrator. Canadian data from 2017 reports that among survivors “81% of victims were sexually assaulted by someone known to them”.

This Sexual Assault Prevention Month the Men’s Program is highlighting that there are resources to support male survivors of sexual violence in Grey Bruce.

According to Men’s Program Supervisor Jon Farmer, men can face additional barriers to accessing support and we need to encourage everyone to reach out for help when they need it.

“We’re still seeing myths that boys and men cannot be assaulted, that they should always want sexual encounters, or that they should always be able to fight back when they don’t want something. These ideas are false and they discourage male survivors from getting help. We know that boys and men in our community have experienced sexual violence. They deserve support and support is available. It’s also a myth that you can’t get help if you haven’t reported to police. Help is available to all survivors whether or not police are aware”.

According to Farmer, our communities also have ongoing work to do to address the underlying causes of sexual violence.

“It’s a tall order to eliminate sexual violence but I think that has to be our ultimate goal. Everyone has a role to play in addressing the roots of sexual violence when they appear in the attitudes and behaviours that encourage us to think of others not as people but as sexual objects for our own gratification. Because as long as we collectively accept the insults, jokes, and peer pressure that erode respect or that demean survivors, then people will continue to experience sexual violence in our communities. And that’s not okay. In the meantime, everyone needs to know that there are supports available for survivors. And that includes men.”

At the Men’s Program they can access the Male Survivor Program which provides free individual counseling to men 16 years and older who have experienced sexual violence. Sessions can take place virtually or in person in Owen Sound and surrounding area. Men can self-refer by calling 519-372-2720 ext1201 or by emailing mp@cmhagb.org.

Men can also access supports through Victim Services Bruce Grey and Brightshore’s Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Centre.